How many things can go wrong with one flight?
Jun 17, 2006, 6:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
How many things can go wrong with one flight?
Ok, so first of all, I don't blame NW for any of this but I just had to share my misfortunes with those that will feel my pain.
Last night I was flying NW165 from MEM to MSP and then connecting to PHX. My first clue should have been that we had a ground hold in MEM due to the wx in MSP. However, we pushed back just 20 mins late and were in the air 10 mins after that so I thought all was well. We actually turned final into MSP and that was the last good thing that happened. We had some pretty good bumps before turning final but nothing too dramatic. Suddenly notice that we are picking up speed and beginning a slow climb. Flight deck announces that t-storms were too close to airport and we needed to hold. Also told us that we had about 30 mins of hold fuel and then we would have to divert to Rochester.
35 - 40 mins later we land in Rochester.
Have to wait for the (only?) fuel truck as it's fueling other aircraft.
Our turn for fuel and fuel truck is out. Has to return to fuel barn to get more fuel.
Fuel truck returns, starts fueling. Flight deck announces that crew is out of hours and flight is cancelled. Sit tight and we'll find out what we are going to do about hotels etc.
Man that appears to be mentally retarded tries to open 2L claiming he is a NW mechanic and knows what he is doing. FA's have to keep a very close watch on him and the door. Same man is later seen being given instructions by the male FA on how to use the lavatory.
F/A's bring very pale looking older lady to F/C as she is definitely not feeling well. Few minutes later paramedics are on-board. (hope she's ok, but nice job on being first off the a/c
)
WX from MSP has now reached Rochester. Lots of lightning and suddenly airport and runway lights go out. Lightning hit terminal (or somewhere very close).
No-one else can get off as Rochester jetways apparently cannot accomodate 757 and we have to wait for buses to drive us to the terminal. Of course, no-one can get on the ramp due to the lightning.
Waiting.....waiting......waiting.......
Another crew is flying down to Rochester to fly everyone back to MSP. Several people are heard saying "but I've already made arrangements for someone to drive to Rochester to pick me up!" Announcement is made "anyone wanting to get off here, please raise your hand."
Some people get off when buses finally arrive. "Ok, but no luggage for you!!!"
Problems communicating with airport (it might have been NW HQ that they were talking about) due to the power outage at the airport.
Replacement crew shows up and flight finally leaves Rochester. (Got the "prepare cabin for arrival" as we took off )
20 mins later we are finally at the gate at MSP 5 1/2 hours late and surprisingly if you are connecting to Lansing, San Jose and somewhere else (I forget where) your connection is still at MSP. Everyone else, your new flight info is at the GA's podium. I get mine and ask about a reduced hotel rate. Sorry, hotels are all full so we are not even giving you the tel#. Of course, I find a hotel room and get a few hours sleep before heading back to the airport.
Mood in FC was pretty good. Didn't dare go back and sample the mood in coach but didn't really hear or see people getting too upset. I think most people realized we just had everything conspire against us and there really wasn't much NW could do.
Overall, it is by no means that big of a delay, but I couldn't make some of that stuff up if I tried so I thought I'd share it.
Last night I was flying NW165 from MEM to MSP and then connecting to PHX. My first clue should have been that we had a ground hold in MEM due to the wx in MSP. However, we pushed back just 20 mins late and were in the air 10 mins after that so I thought all was well. We actually turned final into MSP and that was the last good thing that happened. We had some pretty good bumps before turning final but nothing too dramatic. Suddenly notice that we are picking up speed and beginning a slow climb. Flight deck announces that t-storms were too close to airport and we needed to hold. Also told us that we had about 30 mins of hold fuel and then we would have to divert to Rochester.
35 - 40 mins later we land in Rochester.
Have to wait for the (only?) fuel truck as it's fueling other aircraft.
Our turn for fuel and fuel truck is out. Has to return to fuel barn to get more fuel.
Fuel truck returns, starts fueling. Flight deck announces that crew is out of hours and flight is cancelled. Sit tight and we'll find out what we are going to do about hotels etc.
Man that appears to be mentally retarded tries to open 2L claiming he is a NW mechanic and knows what he is doing. FA's have to keep a very close watch on him and the door. Same man is later seen being given instructions by the male FA on how to use the lavatory.
F/A's bring very pale looking older lady to F/C as she is definitely not feeling well. Few minutes later paramedics are on-board. (hope she's ok, but nice job on being first off the a/c
)WX from MSP has now reached Rochester. Lots of lightning and suddenly airport and runway lights go out. Lightning hit terminal (or somewhere very close).
No-one else can get off as Rochester jetways apparently cannot accomodate 757 and we have to wait for buses to drive us to the terminal. Of course, no-one can get on the ramp due to the lightning.
Waiting.....waiting......waiting.......
Another crew is flying down to Rochester to fly everyone back to MSP. Several people are heard saying "but I've already made arrangements for someone to drive to Rochester to pick me up!" Announcement is made "anyone wanting to get off here, please raise your hand."
Some people get off when buses finally arrive. "Ok, but no luggage for you!!!"
Problems communicating with airport (it might have been NW HQ that they were talking about) due to the power outage at the airport.
Replacement crew shows up and flight finally leaves Rochester. (Got the "prepare cabin for arrival" as we took off
)20 mins later we are finally at the gate at MSP 5 1/2 hours late and surprisingly if you are connecting to Lansing, San Jose and somewhere else (I forget where) your connection is still at MSP. Everyone else, your new flight info is at the GA's podium. I get mine and ask about a reduced hotel rate. Sorry, hotels are all full so we are not even giving you the tel#. Of course, I find a hotel room and get a few hours sleep before heading back to the airport.
Mood in FC was pretty good. Didn't dare go back and sample the mood in coach but didn't really hear or see people getting too upset. I think most people realized we just had everything conspire against us and there really wasn't much NW could do.
Overall, it is by no means that big of a delay, but I couldn't make some of that stuff up if I tried so I thought I'd share it.
Jun 17, 2006, 6:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,729
Rochester seems to be a venus fly trap for Minneapolis bound NW flights. I was stranded overnight there recently.
Jun 17, 2006, 6:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: rural Indiana - IND
Programs: DL reject, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Jelly of the Month, formerly NWA Plat (RIP)
Posts: 947
Murphy's Law is alive and well in air travel:
"If anything can go wrong, it will. And usually at the worst possible moment."
"If anything can go wrong, it will. And usually at the worst possible moment."
Jun 17, 2006, 7:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
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Posts: 1,890
nice account though!
Justhere, sorry for the troubles, but it was sure a fun story to read! I like your writing style! ^ Perhaps it made the trip more bearable knowing that you were going to recount all the craziness for your FT pals!
Glad you got home safe after all!!!
Glad you got home safe after all!!!
Jun 17, 2006, 7:53 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
Originally Posted by justhere
Ok, so first of all, I don't blame NW for any of this but I just had to share my misfortunes with those that will feel my pain.
Last night I was flying NW165 from MEM to MSP and then connecting to PHX. My first clue should have been that we had a ground hold in MEM due to the wx in MSP. However, we pushed back just 20 mins late and were in the air 10 mins after that so I thought all was well. We actually turned final into MSP and that was the last good thing that happened. We had some pretty good bumps before turning final but nothing too dramatic. Suddenly notice that we are picking up speed and beginning a slow climb. Flight deck announces that t-storms were too close to airport and we needed to hold. Also told us that we had about 30 mins of hold fuel and then we would have to divert to Rochester.
.
Last night I was flying NW165 from MEM to MSP and then connecting to PHX. My first clue should have been that we had a ground hold in MEM due to the wx in MSP. However, we pushed back just 20 mins late and were in the air 10 mins after that so I thought all was well. We actually turned final into MSP and that was the last good thing that happened. We had some pretty good bumps before turning final but nothing too dramatic. Suddenly notice that we are picking up speed and beginning a slow climb. Flight deck announces that t-storms were too close to airport and we needed to hold. Also told us that we had about 30 mins of hold fuel and then we would have to divert to Rochester.
.
Not a good night to be out and about, let alone up in the air....
Hey, it's summer in the midwest.
Bob H
Jun 17, 2006, 7:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BSB
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 4,914
Blame NW for the Weather, Thunderstorms, lighting ??? You got to be kidding
Originally Posted by Radiocycle
You didn't have any extraordinary issues.
ATC decides when an a/c is going to be diverted. Since you can't blame ATC I suppose you feel the carrier (NW) is liable for this.
As a Plat Elite flyer I have had all of the issues you described occur, sometimes flying on the last bank of flights is not a great idea.
I would say that you had no contingency for bad weather, diversions, ground hold delays, refueling, and have unrealistic expectations of the airline when these acts of god occur.
If you would take earlier flights in the future and do not fly so late in the day these delays issues would be minimized but bad weather cannot be blamed on Northwest.
RC
ATC decides when an a/c is going to be diverted. Since you can't blame ATC I suppose you feel the carrier (NW) is liable for this.
As a Plat Elite flyer I have had all of the issues you described occur, sometimes flying on the last bank of flights is not a great idea.
I would say that you had no contingency for bad weather, diversions, ground hold delays, refueling, and have unrealistic expectations of the airline when these acts of god occur.
If you would take earlier flights in the future and do not fly so late in the day these delays issues would be minimized but bad weather cannot be blamed on Northwest.
RC
Jun 17, 2006, 8:00 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
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Posts: 10,000
Originally Posted by justhere
Overall, it is by no means that big of a delay, but I couldn't make some of that stuff up if I tried so I thought I'd share it.
Jun 17, 2006, 8:09 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Detroit
Programs: Northwest Platinum
Posts: 1,533
Radiocycle- I don't believe anybody had mentioned Northwest as the culprit until you did.
Jun 17, 2006, 9:00 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
*************Edited out inappropiate remarks***************
Radiocycle
NWA Moderator
Yeah, for anyone that's a pretty flippant response. Esp. since I've never seen anyone write a more laid back and fair account of a weather delay. Not a hint of blame to the airline, and taking it in stride...even knowing ahead of time he'd be on his own for a hotel...which actually, for Plats is actually not supposed to happen...we're often taken care of for weather delays despite the FAA reg. disbanding the airline of liability for acts of god.
*************Edited out innapropiate remarks*********
Radiocycle
NWA Moderator
Radiocycle
NWA Moderator
Yeah, for anyone that's a pretty flippant response. Esp. since I've never seen anyone write a more laid back and fair account of a weather delay. Not a hint of blame to the airline, and taking it in stride...even knowing ahead of time he'd be on his own for a hotel...which actually, for Plats is actually not supposed to happen...we're often taken care of for weather delays despite the FAA reg. disbanding the airline of liability for acts of god.
*************Edited out innapropiate remarks*********
Radiocycle
NWA Moderator
Last edited by Radiocycle; Jun 17, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Jun 17, 2006, 9:25 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BSB
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 4,914
Typical issues rolled into one flight
NW gets blamed by association.
RC
RC
Originally Posted by sany2
Radiocycle- I don't believe anybody had mentioned Northwest as the culprit until you did.
Jun 17, 2006, 9:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
For some reason, MSP and DTW both have their share of issues when the average summer thunderstorm pops up. But it comes with the territory. NW flyers should, if not expect, at least not be surprised by something like this. Just another summer evening on the red tail, hm? 
BTW, I'm not belittling your story or experiences here -- we've all been there before, unfortunately.
BTW, I'm not belittling your story or experiences here -- we've all been there before, unfortunately.
Jun 17, 2006, 9:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BSB
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 4,914
How many things can go wrong with one flight?
The title of this topic is: How many things can go wrong with one flight?
The OP is detailing his experience, its almost a "Trip Report" and he posted it here in the NW forum, so I have to believe it refers to a NW a/c.
This should be posted in the trip report forum, but since its Nw related I'm not moving it.
Radiocycle
NW Moderator
The OP is detailing his experience, its almost a "Trip Report" and he posted it here in the NW forum, so I have to believe it refers to a NW a/c.
This should be posted in the trip report forum, but since its Nw related I'm not moving it.
Radiocycle
NW Moderator
Jun 17, 2006, 11:35 pm
#13
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Originally Posted by Radiocycle
NW gets blamed by association.
RC
RC
Originally Posted by justhere
I think most people realized we just had everything conspire against us and there really wasn't much NW could do.
In any case, I'm glad justhere was in FC and not in Y!
Jun 18, 2006, 12:35 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
Originally Posted by Radiocycle
The title of this topic is: How many things can go wrong with one flight?
The OP is detailing his experience, its almost a "Trip Report" and he posted it here in the NW forum, so I have to believe it refers to a NW a/c.
This should be posted in the trip report forum, but since its Nw related I'm not moving it.
Radiocycle
NW Moderator
The OP is detailing his experience, its almost a "Trip Report" and he posted it here in the NW forum, so I have to believe it refers to a NW a/c.
This should be posted in the trip report forum, but since its Nw related I'm not moving it.
Radiocycle
NW Moderator
Originally Posted by Radiocycle
NW gets blamed by association
And yes, I know that nothing here was all that unique (well, perhaps nothing other than seeing someone give instructions on how to use the lav
) but how many times does it all happen on one flight? Plus, I didn't title this "how many things can go wrong with one NW flight" because it could have happened on any airline. I just wanted to share and try to give some of my fellow NW travellers a little laugh.
Jun 18, 2006, 12:40 am
#15
Original Poster
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Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
Originally Posted by DanTravels
Hehe. You left off the part about getting some extra miles posted to your account for the trouble, right?
(RC, I'm just kidding. The only reason I would write to NW about this whole incident is to say that all the employees really did a good job of keeping us informed, keeping the peace, etc, etc.)