I hate DTW
Jun 8, 2006 | 9:02 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2004
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No problem... don't leave the terminal and keep right on flying.
Originally Posted by rrz518
I love DTW....It's Detroit that I can't stand.
Jun 8, 2006 | 9:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NGO and KIX (by way of MSY)
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Agreed. DTW is one of the reasons I fly NW, along with the main WorldClub having showers. And, strangely, my first time through it (12/04) was the worst. It's only gotten better since then.
Jun 9, 2006 | 6:54 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Abu Dhabi
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Originally Posted by rrz518
I love DTW....It's Detroit that I can't stand.
Sitting in MEM right now and wishing especially hard that I had thought to connect through DTW.
Jun 9, 2006 | 7:35 am
#34
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Originally Posted by pickinp
Every time I have had a connection through DTW, I have had a problem.
Invariably, I have to go from C terminal to A terminal, and usually with a short connection time. My last trip through DTW on 6/3/06, I was flying RDU-DTW-OMA. Due to weather, flights were delayed out of DTW, which is where my RDU-DTW flight was coming from. We left RDU almost an hour late, and after arriving in DTW I swear it took 25+ minutes from touchdown until we pulled up to the gate! By this time, I had less than 20 minutes to get myself, Mr.Pickinp, daughters ages 4 and 7, AND my 80 year old grandmother from A30 to C2. The GA meeting the flight told me not to worry as 'everthing is running late' but per the monitors, my DTW-OMA flight was still on schedule for 7:22 pm. No time to stop for food or bathroom. The 7 year old and I ran ahead, and thank goodness made it to the gate and we were all able to get on the plane. The FA was suprised that my family and a few others made the flight as someone had told her that the flight would not be full, and she had let other pax sit where ever they wanted, which meant when I got on, there was already a family in our seats in rows 5 & 7. We pulled away from the gate only to sit on the tarmac for 25 minutes, waiting for our turn to take off, and for an issue with cargo to be hammered out by lawyers.
The cargo issue must have been that 50% of the baggage that was suppossed to be on the flight (including mine) didnt make it (but that is another rant!)
Invariably, I have to go from C terminal to A terminal, and usually with a short connection time. My last trip through DTW on 6/3/06, I was flying RDU-DTW-OMA. Due to weather, flights were delayed out of DTW, which is where my RDU-DTW flight was coming from. We left RDU almost an hour late, and after arriving in DTW I swear it took 25+ minutes from touchdown until we pulled up to the gate! By this time, I had less than 20 minutes to get myself, Mr.Pickinp, daughters ages 4 and 7, AND my 80 year old grandmother from A30 to C2. The GA meeting the flight told me not to worry as 'everthing is running late' but per the monitors, my DTW-OMA flight was still on schedule for 7:22 pm. No time to stop for food or bathroom. The 7 year old and I ran ahead, and thank goodness made it to the gate and we were all able to get on the plane. The FA was suprised that my family and a few others made the flight as someone had told her that the flight would not be full, and she had let other pax sit where ever they wanted, which meant when I got on, there was already a family in our seats in rows 5 & 7. We pulled away from the gate only to sit on the tarmac for 25 minutes, waiting for our turn to take off, and for an issue with cargo to be hammered out by lawyers.
The cargo issue must have been that 50% of the baggage that was suppossed to be on the flight (including mine) didnt make it (but that is another rant!)
Jun 9, 2006 | 7:42 am
#35
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,955
Despite the somewhat overwhelming support for DTW here. The OP does have a point that the trip from the far end of A to C is quite a haul. The first time I flew our of C43 ( I think that's the las gate out there), I felt like I had walked through two time zones.
That said, I think DTW is one of the better hub airports in the US. I do think that aircraft have to spend way to much taxi time given the wierd layout of the airport and the terminal. It must cost NW a fortune in excess fuel. There is some decent food but often its miles away from you are. Like when you are stuck in the A70' and the best fare is taco bell.
The WC are really great at DTW. Had a three hour layover there earlier this week and I got more done there the I would at the office!!!
That said, I think DTW is one of the better hub airports in the US. I do think that aircraft have to spend way to much taxi time given the wierd layout of the airport and the terminal. It must cost NW a fortune in excess fuel. There is some decent food but often its miles away from you are. Like when you are stuck in the A70' and the best fare is taco bell.
The WC are really great at DTW. Had a three hour layover there earlier this week and I got more done there the I would at the office!!!
Jun 9, 2006 | 8:38 am
#36
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True the OP's terminal run is a long haul, IMHO DTW is one of the nicest hubs of any airline and any airport. I can't tell you of the nightmarish terminal "runs" I've had looking for gates/terminals. ORD is crazy, EWR & JFK have a massive lack of signs, etc... Suprisingly, I think CO's hub at IAH isn't even as well organized as DTW.
Jun 9, 2006 | 12:10 pm
#37
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I guess it is not really DTW itself that I hate, it is just the routing through there that I dont like. I know that there are much worse airports out there, and I agree ATL and ORD are INSANE! It seems as though every time I have that routing, I have problems with ridiculously short connections. The previous time I went through DTW, I missed my connecting flight due to a sucession of delays (both weather and mechanical). I was forced to spend the night in Detroit, and NW refused to pay for my hotel since the cause of the longest delay was weather, although I would have made my connection if not for the subsequant mechanical delay. The GA handing out the packets to the pax who did not make connections was rude. I couldnt get a flight out until 11 am the next day, and then they couldnt even get me from DTW to OMA. I had to go DTW-MSP-OMA. I must just have bad karma at DTW.
Jun 9, 2006 | 12:41 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Considering the number of moving walkways, and the tram, I can't believe we're evening talking DTW and ATL in the same thread.
Yes, the distances are rather significant in DTW (A/B/C are all straight lines), but at least the architects put in mechanical movement. I've done my share of A1->B72 (or whatever the last gate is) in ATL, and DTW is a walk in the park.
Steve B.
Yes, the distances are rather significant in DTW (A/B/C are all straight lines), but at least the architects put in mechanical movement. I've done my share of A1->B72 (or whatever the last gate is) in ATL, and DTW is a walk in the park.
Steve B.
Jun 9, 2006 | 12:55 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by pickinp
I guess it is not really DTW itself that I hate, it is just the routing through there that I dont like. I know that there are much worse airports out there, and I agree ATL and ORD are INSANE! It seems as though every time I have that routing, I have problems with ridiculously short connections. The previous time I went through DTW, I missed my connecting flight due to a sucession of delays (both weather and mechanical). I was forced to spend the night in Detroit, and NW refused to pay for my hotel since the cause of the longest delay was weather, although I would have made my connection if not for the subsequant mechanical delay. The GA handing out the packets to the pax who did not make connections was rude. I couldnt get a flight out until 11 am the next day, and then they couldnt even get me from DTW to OMA. I had to go DTW-MSP-OMA. I must just have bad karma at DTW.
Jun 9, 2006 | 2:24 pm
#40
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lansing, MI USA, DL DM
Posts: 922
Originally Posted by pickinp
I guess it is not really DTW itself that I hate, it is just the routing through there that I dont like. I know that there are much worse airports out there, and I agree ATL and ORD are INSANE! It seems as though every time I have that routing, I have problems with ridiculously short connections. The previous time I went through DTW, I missed my connecting flight due to a sucession of delays (both weather and mechanical). I was forced to spend the night in Detroit, and NW refused to pay for my hotel since the cause of the longest delay was weather, although I would have made my connection if not for the subsequant mechanical delay. The GA handing out the packets to the pax who did not make connections was rude. I couldnt get a flight out until 11 am the next day, and then they couldnt even get me from DTW to OMA. I had to go DTW-MSP-OMA. I must just have bad karma at DTW.
Jun 10, 2006 | 3:18 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2004
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My experience is that DTW is smooth as silk and a great place to be when there isn't weather in the area.
However, when a line of storms rolls through...it's helacious...comprable to ATL. The thing that irks me the most is the estimated departure times CONSTANTLY changing....I had a 915p flight post 1030p, then 100a, then 1100p, then 1200p, then 130a, then the GA screams at people at 11:45p "were boarding now! Let's go!" Chaotic, and the last thing I want to be dealing with on my way home.
That said, again, it's the exception. Most days DTW is clean, spacious, friendly, and a great airport to connect in.
However, when a line of storms rolls through...it's helacious...comprable to ATL. The thing that irks me the most is the estimated departure times CONSTANTLY changing....I had a 915p flight post 1030p, then 100a, then 1100p, then 1200p, then 130a, then the GA screams at people at 11:45p "were boarding now! Let's go!" Chaotic, and the last thing I want to be dealing with on my way home.
That said, again, it's the exception. Most days DTW is clean, spacious, friendly, and a great airport to connect in.
Jun 10, 2006 | 4:45 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,528
Memphis is my favorite NW hub, followed by Minneapolis, with Detroit bringing up the rear. Of course, if it means more miles, I don't mind Detroit, but on the routes I fly Memphis usually maximizes the miles.
Jun 11, 2006 | 1:53 am
#43
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Motor City
Posts: 232
and for an issue with cargo to be hammered out by lawyers. This is a new one. Lawyers? Are you sure you weren't sitting there waiting for accurate updated weight and balance figures? Trust me, you want these to be accurate.
I love DTW....It's Detroit that I can't stand.
I'll bet you've never even been there. The airport is located in Romulus, a good 25 miles or so from Detroit.
I have problems with ridiculously short connections.
NWA wont sell an itinerary with any connection shorter than 30 minutes. There are most likely another 2 or so flights that leave later, no matter where you are connecting to. Maybe it would help next time to select one of the later connections.
Sorry to hear your experiences have been so stressful. A suggestion, next time you pass through, get all your gate info in advance. You can use your cell phone as soon as the aircraft lands. Call 18002252525 and find out what gate you are departing from and what time while you are stuck taxiing. The arrival gate is usually announced quite a few times during the flight, and there is a map on page 62 (how disgusting I know that) of the World traveler. That way, at least you can get your bearings and plan your transit. Also, if you are traveling with your grandmother again, make sure to ask the FA when you board the plane for assistance in DTW. That way, hopefully it will be waiting for you. Just some suggestions, oh and one more, if the plane isn't full and you are running late, some nice FA's will let you move as close to the front as possible, so you can be first off. You're on your own with that one though, that's a play by ear situation.
I love DTW....It's Detroit that I can't stand.
I'll bet you've never even been there. The airport is located in Romulus, a good 25 miles or so from Detroit.
I have problems with ridiculously short connections.
NWA wont sell an itinerary with any connection shorter than 30 minutes. There are most likely another 2 or so flights that leave later, no matter where you are connecting to. Maybe it would help next time to select one of the later connections.
Sorry to hear your experiences have been so stressful. A suggestion, next time you pass through, get all your gate info in advance. You can use your cell phone as soon as the aircraft lands. Call 18002252525 and find out what gate you are departing from and what time while you are stuck taxiing. The arrival gate is usually announced quite a few times during the flight, and there is a map on page 62 (how disgusting I know that) of the World traveler. That way, at least you can get your bearings and plan your transit. Also, if you are traveling with your grandmother again, make sure to ask the FA when you board the plane for assistance in DTW. That way, hopefully it will be waiting for you. Just some suggestions, oh and one more, if the plane isn't full and you are running late, some nice FA's will let you move as close to the front as possible, so you can be first off. You're on your own with that one though, that's a play by ear situation.
Jun 11, 2006 | 6:25 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Originally Posted by nwaflygirl
I love DTW....It's Detroit that I can't stand.
I'll bet you've never even been there. The airport is located in Romulus, a good 25 miles or so from Detroit.
My point is that in spite of all of Detroit's problems, DTW is spectacular. I connect there whenever I can, and given a choice of any hub, DTW is right up there at the top.
DTW is an oasis. Detroit the city is to be avoided, and as a whole, less than the sum of it's parts.
Jun 11, 2006 | 6:30 am
#45
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I like DTW for the most part. Only issue I have with it is sometimes the taxi in takes 10 minutes. It is only on certain days, but it is starting to get like ATL, ORD, & DFW. The reason I fly NWA is to avoid those three airports everyday. I just hope they do not overgrow DTW.