Detroit Weather Alerts, Warnings and Advisories: The Definitive Thread
Feb 22, 2012, 5:18 pm
#123
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DTW doesn't shut down with much frequency, although capacity can be reduced and airlines can cancel flights trying to keep aircraft out of icy weather. (I went looking for FAA airport closure data and didn't find any.)
Pilots may jump in, but I believe DTW has much more spare runway and gate capacity than Chicago O'Hare - to use one wintry example - so even equivalent weather and equivalent servicing should means fewer and shorter delays at DTW.
That said, deicing is clearly a bottleneck that can stretch to 45 minutes or more. Your connecting flight will likely depart even before the mix changes to sleet and snow.
Pilots may jump in, but I believe DTW has much more spare runway and gate capacity than Chicago O'Hare - to use one wintry example - so even equivalent weather and equivalent servicing should means fewer and shorter delays at DTW.
That said, deicing is clearly a bottleneck that can stretch to 45 minutes or more. Your connecting flight will likely depart even before the mix changes to sleet and snow.
Feb 22, 2012, 7:55 pm
#126
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Also just debating If I should try to call delta to go through another city or try and get onto an earlier flight out of dtw (since I have a 3-4 hr layover) or just go with everyone's advice above in that it shouldn't be that bad, and go as scheduled with my good seats.
Feb 22, 2012, 8:34 pm
#127
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Thursday afternoon/evening could be icy:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DETROIT/PONTIAC HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
* A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA THURSDAY EVENING.
* SNOWFALL WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY THURSDAY NIGHT.
* POTENTIAL FOR SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 INCHES OR MORE BY FRIDAY MORNING.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DETROIT/PONTIAC HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
* A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA THURSDAY EVENING.
* SNOWFALL WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY THURSDAY NIGHT.
* POTENTIAL FOR SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 INCHES OR MORE BY FRIDAY MORNING.
Feb 22, 2012, 10:16 pm
#129
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I think you'll be fine, but if you are worried, try to SDC to an earlier flight. You can do so within 3 hours of the departure of the flight you want to get on. Of all the DL hubs and hublets, I would trust MSP and DTW (not necessarily in that order) the most with getting me out during cold weather events.
Feb 22, 2012, 10:21 pm
#130
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A wise man once said I'd rather go through DTW in a blizzard than ATL in a drizzle...
Feb 22, 2012, 10:38 pm
#131
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Good thing they added a 5th runway... and only a 15 minute drive from the airport!
Feb 22, 2012, 10:39 pm
#132
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To the OP: seriously, DTW is your best bet. Also allow me to apologize... there has yet to be perfect weather on a day I go flying. I think we'll all be lucky if the sky doesn't fall in the next 12 hours
-J.
Feb 22, 2012, 10:44 pm
#133
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To the OP: seriously, DTW is your best bet. Also allow me to apologize... there has yet to be perfect weather on a day I go flying. I think we'll all be lucky if the sky doesn't fall in the next 12 hours
-J.
Feb 22, 2012, 10:51 pm
#134
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Of all the airports I've been to in the winter, DTW does it like nobody else. Delays are always due to a late inbound plane or mechanical (if there's a delay at all). I've never been stuck at DTW because of the weather. Their deicing is really efficient (they get one or two trucks on each side of the plane), you really have nothing to worry about 
-J.
-J.
1,000s stranded up to 11 hours on planes at DTW
Feb 22, 2012, 11:05 pm
#135
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