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!)

I fly out of DTW and into DTW every week. I love it I love the WC's. I love the layout. I love (usually) the people working there.

Don't blame weather issues on DTW. Try ORD if you don't like DTW

Sorry your times in DTW were differnet!

It sounds like less an issue with DTW and more a function of the weather. I've never had a problem moving quickly within the airport and neither, it seems, did you. How many other airports let you move with children from one terminal/concourse to another within 20 minutes? Try it at DFW or IAH and see how successful you are.

Personally, I think DTW's NW MacNamara terminal is one of the most intelligently deisgned airports in the world. I'm sorry to hear about your experiences, though. No GA should let people sit where they wish. The FAs can do it but should wait until the door is closed.

In general, DTW is much more user friendly than MSP

I like DTW, but I really love MSP, because it is home!!!

Sorry about your experiences.

I agree that Terminal A is brilliant.

The transition from A to C is no worse than other major airports -- typically, at MSP I end up going from C12 to F10, which is no fun either.

Steve

I love DTW; and IMHO, A to C is not bad at all; and I also like the tunnel.

Now, C to B at CVG... uggggggg.... how I hate that shuttle bus....

I also do a weekly (at least) departure from and arrival into DTW. I've had positive experiences, but have found that if I arrive at (I believe?) A34 whichever is the last gate before the split, the GA cannot see the aircraft arrive and I've had to sit there to be deboarded occasionally.

I do like the fact that going from A4 to B2, I pass by 3 WorldClubs to stop in for a drink!

WOW you must have never had went to the OLD DTW. Now that was bad.

The vast majority of my domestic connections are in DTW or EWR. DTW is light years ahead of EWR in every respect. Late flights, impossibly short connections, etc. describe 100% of my EWR flights and 1% of my DTW flights. IMO, DTW is easily the best major domestic hub for connections.

OMG... you must be kidding. You meant to type "cattle truck," right?!

("shuttle bus" is being too generous, IMO)

I hated the old DTW. When I lived in Japan in the early 90s, I was furious with NW for ending the ORD flights and routing through DTW. The first time I flew through MSP, I thought I was in heaven.

The new DTW is a vast improvement and far and away my favorite domestic hub. ^

somehow it always seems I manage to get gate 1-10 or 70's.... not fun.

you are correct, it is rather generous;
but, then again, I am a generous guy....

I would have insisted that the FA move them. Elite seating is meaningless if the FA's take it upons themselves to permit first-come, first serve seating.

Aside from ruffling elites' feathers, free-for-all seating would really rankle those who have paid for specific CoachChoice seats.