Iconoclast,

I didn't mean to insult you. I'd like to help, but I honestly don't know what type of response you're looking for. Your DFW-MSP flight is wide open and the MSP-ONT flight is almost oversold... ask for a seat assignment when elites begin getting upgraded 5-days out.

You have a two-hour layover at MSP... that's plenty of time. If your DFW-MSP flight is delayed for any other reason than weather, NW will put you up for the night and give you some other goodies (meal vouchers, consumer service recovery packet). If it's weather -- hey, it happens & there's nothing you can do . It's a very, very minor risk all of us taken when traveling... and not something we think about usually.

If NW needs volunteers -- and they very, very, very, very rarely do-even during the holidays (this isn't UA or DL), they'll ask for them ($300 voucher + free room & board for the night) - and chances are, they'll get them.