Originally Posted by NWAFA (Post 8010122)

You mean you guys don't miss the old terminal? Coming in at the farthest point of C and having to connect out of F or G? ;)

I do admit, NW got it right when they designed the new terminal. Even when the airport is packed, it doesn't feel cramped and there is always a place to sit down.

I do agree with whoever said about MEM, temp control! That has been a loooong problem at that airport. That's the only thing that I can think of that's a negative. Especially during the summer. But the BBQ does make up for it. :)

Originally Posted by DavidDTW (Post 8010415)

And didn't that always seem to be the case when transferrng? Now the distance from A1 to A72 probably isn't any less, but at least we have the tram!!

Originally Posted by DTWflyer (Post 8013061)

Ah yes, I have fond memories of the 'old Davey terminal. For those of you who don't remember the fun times there let me share some old stories of that place. This may bring back some other fun memories for the rest of you too.

A typical day at DTW, circa 1999-2000. <insert flashback / daydream music>
Setting: Warm, hot, humid, sunny July day, temperatures in the low 90's with about 85% humidity.
-Land on 21L on a good ole' DC-9 (probably the same one I will be on this afternoon)
-Taxi for a 15 minutes since we are at the far end of the airport and have to hold for about 10 minutes to cross 3C/21C since DTW only has 3 parallel runways at this time. (Note the runways now have been renumbered)
-Cross the runway, notice we are no longer taxing toward the terminal, and out the window you see no less than 5-6 aircraft parked on a taxiway
-Aircraft comes to a stop, you have now reached the "penalty box"
-Sit waiting for a gate for about 20 minutes, no a/c
-Finally arrive at gate C-26, the farthest gate on the addition-on-top-of addition hack job of the old concourse C.
-Since this is pre-FT era, and you are a newbie, no elite status you are in row 19, thus 10-15 minutes later, finally get off the aircraft,
-Once in concourse C which is beyond overcrowed as there 3 DC-10 flights departing to MCO, PHX, & LAS at adjacent gates. No less than about 67 wheelchair passengers waiting for those flights, no less than 114 kids in stollers, mostly going to MCO.
-Start the sprint, come to an abrupt stop in from of the flight monitors, looking for the status of your Saab flight to TVC. Since its Saab, you know that you are headed out to Mesabaland in Concourse G, aka the golfcourse. About a dozen blue screen monitors are flickering in and out, mostly covered in white snow. Just your luck, the monitor where your city should be is out. Great, sprint further down to the next bank of monitors - your flight is scheduled to depart in 25 minutes, you hope that its delayed, because otherwise you will not make the bus. It is still showing ontime.
-Knowing your destination, you break into an all-out OJ-style airport run, flying through concourse C. Good think you ran the mile in high school track.
-Already getting close to half mile, you reach the end of C, round the bend, almost taking out some Joe Tourists and their 37-member sending off party who have just come through the checkpoint (remember when non-ticketed passengers were allowed in the concourse)
-Dodge about 15 beeping carts running through the concourse
-Moving sidewalks are worthless-too narrow & crowded, keep on running, note the terminal is about 105 degrees and smells like mildew. The T-storm from the night before dumped a ton of rain and leaked through the roof. You accidently run into one of the buckets sitting in the middle of the hallway full of water.
-Now is the tricky part as you approach the epicenter of the universe-the main security checkpoint. First you get the nasty stentch of Cinnabon, they you encounter the 300 person line snaked out of the Burger King. (Just about the only food in the terminal mind you)
-Watch out, about 300 people huddled around the half-broken flight monitors inside security. You only take about about 4 people with your roller-board.
-Roadblock! Its mid-afternoon and you are approaching the end of F. You have been running hard for 10 minutes at this point, drenched in sweat. There are 4 DC-10's to Europe and 3 747's to Asia departing out of F. No less than 1500 people in a space designed for about 300. The large tour groups have gridlocked the walkway at this point, but you still manage to plow through
-The homestretch, you reach the escalor down to G, hoping that your bus hasn't left.
-Success! Fortunetely they are short on drivers, so your bus is still there running behind. You are the last passenger to jam on. You are really hot & sweaty at this point.
-Thud! Ooops, your bus driver cut a corner too short and the bus clipped a bag cart and the guy next to you falls into you.
-Finally at the aircraft, you made it. You survived, just another day in DTW.

<end flashback>

Originally Posted by SpinzCity (Post 8017014)

<duck>


Do you refer to this?!?
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Phot...ralORDSide.JPG
http://www.locomobilia.com/images/av...sticker_xl.jpg

Originally Posted by RichMSN (Post 8018629)

Stayed over at the Westin last night. Flew into DTW, went to the Tigers/Red Sox game (my 30th and final current Major League ballpark), and then came back.

Everything LOOKS great at DTW. But today when I tried checking in my bags (I'm flying DTW-BOS-AMS-BRS today and tomorrow morning) there was one agent working at the main check-in and one agent working at the elite/WBC check-in. Even with all the bloody kiosks, I had to stand and wait. And wait. And did I mention there were two agents, but one closed down and went on break even with people queued up?

As I was waiting...and waiting...at the WBC check-in, I noticed that there were THREE agents working the Unaccompanied Minors check-in station. Unbelievable.

The Westin was cool, the ballpark fabulous, the NW experience in DTW.....blah.

At the WC in BOS now until we board. Nice club, virtually empty.

Originally Posted by PVGMSP (Post 8013280)

I totally agree! I wish the rest of the Detroit can be as shiny and spotless as NW's Terminal at DTW! :)

One thing I'd like to suggest to NW or Wayne County Airport Authority is to add some artworks in this terminal, which is very futuristic but "sterile" right now...maybe some concept car mockups :D

Just go to YVR... it has a ton of interesting artworks with a Pacific Northwest theme.

Originally Posted by cptlflyer (Post 8045484)

NW is responsible for the operation of the McNamara Terminal at DTW... so, it's up to them to do the decorating. I think we all know NWA isn't the type of company to blow cash on artwork. The only reason they sprung for those HUGE Daktronics monitors was the chance to make money selling ads :p

Originally Posted by jcherney (Post 8045874)

True, but that doesn't explain the dancing water sculpture in the middle of the terminal.

Originally Posted by kcnwa (Post 8046139)

Pennies, and the occasional nickel and dime :)

Originally Posted by mikey1003 (Post 8018569)

The only thing good about the old terminal was the Host Marriott restaurant. I actually scheduled trips through DTW at dinner time with enough connection time to eat dinner.

Toward the end, the food and service deteriorated.

Originally Posted by jcherney (Post 8045874)

True, but that doesn't explain the dancing water sculpture in the middle of the terminal.