Apologies for the confusion. In retrospect, I should also have used a more specific subject-thread....

The problems started when NW changed the starting-flight for a family member with an award ticket scheduled to travel with me. NW made this change without also, initially, changing the starting-flight for me (or atleast without informing me of any accompanying change). This change (in flight numbers) cascaded into other changes that split the itineraries for the award traveler and me (and, down the road, other family members).

When I called NW, they've re-arranged the various itineraries so there's not presently any problems; and, for what it's worth, they have added "notes" to help avoid the splitting problem....

Thanks....