NORTHWORST 32 year old plane missing part of wall
#46
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
"one doesn't have to externalize every thought."
Believe me, motnot, I surely don't!
You do not know me- I'm being VERY restrained, IMHO!
FWIW, it was NOT bashing I was after here but rather humour that I sought, albeit admittedly at NWA's expense!
Again, no touche, but rather apologies!
Enjoy NWA!
Believe me, motnot, I surely don't!
You do not know me- I'm being VERY restrained, IMHO!
FWIW, it was NOT bashing I was after here but rather humour that I sought, albeit admittedly at NWA's expense!
Again, no touche, but rather apologies!
Enjoy NWA!
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Smoke filled room, TPA and FLL/MIA :UAL 1K and 2MM,AA EX PLAT and 2MM,Lifetime Plat Starwood
Posts: 4,318
Originally posted by feddup:
afang and cigarman, why don't you do yourselves a favor and simply stop flying Northwest? You would be better off, and believe me - so would some of the rest of us. We wouldn't have to read your sad tales...
afang and cigarman, why don't you do yourselves a favor and simply stop flying Northwest? You would be better off, and believe me - so would some of the rest of us. We wouldn't have to read your sad tales...
#48
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: WILD ANIMAL PARK (SAN), CA> GOLD-CO, MARRIOTT, HH, STARWOOD, HYATT,
Posts: 1,373
GOLLY! I wish they would patch that wall or take the plane out of service!
But would that end this string?
But would that end this string?
#49
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Between SNA and ONT
Posts: 1,486
doc, you were a good sport about my post. Looking back, I wish I hadn't posted it. The end of a long day, you know ...
Anyway, I won't be enjoying NW unless I'm redeeming my CO miles, or it's unavoidable. The no-miles-for-Cybersavers thing has convinced me to not give NW any of my money.
Anyway, I won't be enjoying NW unless I'm redeeming my CO miles, or it's unavoidable. The no-miles-for-Cybersavers thing has convinced me to not give NW any of my money.
#50
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Absolutely NO problem, as I believe in free expression and also that you were quite respectful and presumably constructive as well!
I always TRY to be a good sport in ANY case!
Although I'm NOT a role model, all it takes is one child who thinks you are one!
Have a great day and thank you!
I always TRY to be a good sport in ANY case!
Although I'm NOT a role model, all it takes is one child who thinks you are one!
Have a great day and thank you!
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
For a person that used to fly LGA-DTW every week for years, I am so happy that I don't make that trip anymore. The FA's always had an attitude. Once I complained about the bagel being hard as a rock and that my tooth almost broke, and asked for a new one. The FA said that they were all the same and that if I didn't like it, don't eat. They don't call it Northworst for nothing.
#52
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Programs: Delta DM 1MM, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 315
I have had mostly good experiences with NW. Sure I have had some challenging moments--but then again what traveler on any airline (especially in the north or the US in the winter) hasn't?
My question about the piece of the wall missing is do you consider it a real saftey problem or just an asthetic issue. If it truly isn't related to saftey, I would rather they continue the flight and repair the hole when possible rather than cancelling or delaying the flight. I very much doubt that NW has many extra planes on a moments notice in Indy, perhaps they were planning to complete the scedule and replace the plane in DTW?
My question about the piece of the wall missing is do you consider it a real saftey problem or just an asthetic issue. If it truly isn't related to saftey, I would rather they continue the flight and repair the hole when possible rather than cancelling or delaying the flight. I very much doubt that NW has many extra planes on a moments notice in Indy, perhaps they were planning to complete the scedule and replace the plane in DTW?
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Smoke filled room, TPA and FLL/MIA :UAL 1K and 2MM,AA EX PLAT and 2MM,Lifetime Plat Starwood
Posts: 4,318
The Mile Dog, EXCELLENT question! Thank You for not slamming me for not loving NW, and asking your question. I don't know (obviously) whether the it is cosmetic or not. But, I do know that since it was missing screws? rivets? whatever...that it didn't Just fall off. And the plane had been to DTW in the last 24 hours. It probably was cosmetic. And that's my point. They don't care enough to make the planes right. I'm sure they decided it wasn't worth the cost since the plane was so close to retirement. Hence my original comments on hating their OLD outdated fleet.
#54
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Northwest Airlines now has the nation's oldest fleet- the average aircraft is about 20 years old- but CEO Richard Anderson says they will take delivery of a new plane every other week for the next 5 years.
NWA's ancient, decrepit DC-9s will remain in the fleet, however....
NWA's ancient, decrepit DC-9s will remain in the fleet, however....
#55
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: DTW
Posts: 172
deleted
[This message has been edited by MRJ1964 (edited 09-01-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MRJ1964 (edited 09-01-2001).]
#56
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: This year we're going to the BAFTAs!
Posts: 5,518
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by doc:
Northwest Airlines now has the nation's oldest fleet[...] [/B]</font>
Northwest Airlines now has the nation's oldest fleet[...] [/B]</font>
I now realize you had to be kidding when you said you are selective in what you post.
#57
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
"With plenty of other threads out there on NW's acquisition of new planes, what purpose is served by picking this one for the "doc-operated mindless thread resuscitation machine", especially to repeat information already out there anyway?
I now realize you had to be kidding when you said you are selective in what you post."
---
Assuming, perhaps wrongfully, that the question posed is not simply rhetorical, I'll note that perhaps since this thread, which is somewhat amusing to some, dealt with both the issues of old planes and specifically the DC-9 aircraft - among other reasons!
Kidding?
Are you kidding?
The point, IMHO, is that happily NWA is getting LOTS of new aircraft. Yet, interestingly the DC-9 will seemingly not be quickly phased out!
Thanks very much for expressing your rightful opinion, even if it is horrendously inappropriate in my view. Needless to say, I do not share agreement with you regarding your assessment!
Why, may I ask, would you publically judge me and/or my posts?
Do you assume that your opinions are somehow more valid than mine or any other folks on the FT boards?
Did Randy & Co actually "deputize" you to scan the boards for "mindless and worthless" posts (as you call them) in order to expunge them and their makers?
Or did you simply appoint yourself to speak for others and for our hosts?
Forgive me for I'm easily confused. Please accept my apologies for this ongoing confusion as well as for my numerous shortcomings!
One day, perhaps with great practice and effort, I too can show the same judgement, knowledge, wit, insight, charm, grace and tact as you!
Yet, if not, I'll somehow manage in any case!
And until all FT'ers can be as consistently "mindful" and "worthwhile" as you manifestly deem yourself to be, may I suggest that you simply try to possibly overlook the faults of others such as myself in the interests of all involved!
Just a suggestion!
Have a great weekend everyone!
I now realize you had to be kidding when you said you are selective in what you post."
---
Assuming, perhaps wrongfully, that the question posed is not simply rhetorical, I'll note that perhaps since this thread, which is somewhat amusing to some, dealt with both the issues of old planes and specifically the DC-9 aircraft - among other reasons!
Kidding?
Are you kidding?
The point, IMHO, is that happily NWA is getting LOTS of new aircraft. Yet, interestingly the DC-9 will seemingly not be quickly phased out!
Thanks very much for expressing your rightful opinion, even if it is horrendously inappropriate in my view. Needless to say, I do not share agreement with you regarding your assessment!
Why, may I ask, would you publically judge me and/or my posts?
Do you assume that your opinions are somehow more valid than mine or any other folks on the FT boards?
Did Randy & Co actually "deputize" you to scan the boards for "mindless and worthless" posts (as you call them) in order to expunge them and their makers?
Or did you simply appoint yourself to speak for others and for our hosts?
Forgive me for I'm easily confused. Please accept my apologies for this ongoing confusion as well as for my numerous shortcomings!
One day, perhaps with great practice and effort, I too can show the same judgement, knowledge, wit, insight, charm, grace and tact as you!
Yet, if not, I'll somehow manage in any case!
And until all FT'ers can be as consistently "mindful" and "worthwhile" as you manifestly deem yourself to be, may I suggest that you simply try to possibly overlook the faults of others such as myself in the interests of all involved!
Just a suggestion!
Have a great weekend everyone!
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
quote:
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"...the age of an aircraft means nothing if it's well-maintained..."
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Sorry, I quit believing about the tooth fairy and the above often quoted myth after a few years in industry (and after doing a couple fault tree analysis's on very unfortunate industrial accidents). Many nasty things happen to mechanical and electrical parts that do not show up during the many mandated and scheduled tests. Also many of these can be on the molecular level where it is impossible to ascertain the fault without time consuming and expensive tests. You dont see many members of Congress, the NTSB, FAA, CAB etc tooling around in DC-3's or Ford Tri-Motors anymore.
As for the recent B777 or B767 problems, sh*t happens and problems occur. Ships have "shake-down" cruises specifically for this purpose.......and airplanes too. Probably the only reason why you did not read about "smoke in the cockpit" of a DC-4 yesterday is that there are not too many of these in scheduled service lately. And I am glad for that.
Dont get me wrong, all airplanes NEED good maintaince. IMHO most older planes need far more maintaince than most newer planes. Watch out for the maiden flights though. Happy flying.
MisterNice
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"...the age of an aircraft means nothing if it's well-maintained..."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, I quit believing about the tooth fairy and the above often quoted myth after a few years in industry (and after doing a couple fault tree analysis's on very unfortunate industrial accidents). Many nasty things happen to mechanical and electrical parts that do not show up during the many mandated and scheduled tests. Also many of these can be on the molecular level where it is impossible to ascertain the fault without time consuming and expensive tests. You dont see many members of Congress, the NTSB, FAA, CAB etc tooling around in DC-3's or Ford Tri-Motors anymore.
As for the recent B777 or B767 problems, sh*t happens and problems occur. Ships have "shake-down" cruises specifically for this purpose.......and airplanes too. Probably the only reason why you did not read about "smoke in the cockpit" of a DC-4 yesterday is that there are not too many of these in scheduled service lately. And I am glad for that.
Dont get me wrong, all airplanes NEED good maintaince. IMHO most older planes need far more maintaince than most newer planes. Watch out for the maiden flights though. Happy flying.
MisterNice
#59
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Varies :-)
Programs: AS; AA; UA; DL; VS; BA; Nat'l Emer. Exec.; AGR
Posts: 2,250
When I was doing a lot of CO and NW, I did find he upgrade process much easier. Yes, CO's F is better than NW's, but I have seen an improvement in the past year or two.
For NE U.S. travelers to SFO, AirOutlet has such great prices that I couldn't possibly book a trip on CO aircraft. For the past year, I haven't paid more than $251 for a trip to SFO from LGA. Is that worth the trouble of bringing some breakfast of my own to avoid NW's F breakfast? And avoiding the standing-by for F at the gate ten minutes pre-departure as on CO? Absolutely.
I have been elite with NW since I was 22, and I have never seen airline "parts" exposed. Fuss made over one non-dangerous incident is ridiculous.
From my experiences on UA when I was in CHI for a terribly long 14 months & 28 days, I can say that, because of the ground crews and FAs in CHI compared to MEM or MSP, I am fine with dealing with NW personnel (and I have seen improvement even in DTW in the past two years).
As far as access to Fargo, et al. is concerned, I have rarely found that a city is only served by ONE airline. Just glanced at PIT-FAR; sure enough, UA goes there.
Maybe cigarman was just having the DTs for a nicotine fix that day.
For NE U.S. travelers to SFO, AirOutlet has such great prices that I couldn't possibly book a trip on CO aircraft. For the past year, I haven't paid more than $251 for a trip to SFO from LGA. Is that worth the trouble of bringing some breakfast of my own to avoid NW's F breakfast? And avoiding the standing-by for F at the gate ten minutes pre-departure as on CO? Absolutely.
I have been elite with NW since I was 22, and I have never seen airline "parts" exposed. Fuss made over one non-dangerous incident is ridiculous.
From my experiences on UA when I was in CHI for a terribly long 14 months & 28 days, I can say that, because of the ground crews and FAs in CHI compared to MEM or MSP, I am fine with dealing with NW personnel (and I have seen improvement even in DTW in the past two years).
As far as access to Fargo, et al. is concerned, I have rarely found that a city is only served by ONE airline. Just glanced at PIT-FAR; sure enough, UA goes there.
Maybe cigarman was just having the DTs for a nicotine fix that day.
#60
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Tucson
Programs: Delta Platinum; Harrah's Diamond; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 950
Let's be honest. NW has had a bad service reputation for years. I now live in Milwaukee (no "Laverne and Shirley" jokes, please)and end up flying NW about half the time (the rest on CO). Is NW terrible? Not usually. Does it have the same quality of service as CO? Definitely not. Will it improve? We can hope.
In general, my experiences with NW have been "ok". Domestic FC beats domestic coach, but not by much. Hawaii service cannot begin to compare to CO's Hawaii service, in comfort or in food service. Many of the planes are old, and for some really STUPID reason, none of the A320's have an entertainment system, but are used on 3-5hr flights all the time. Many, but definitely not all of more senior flight attendants seem to have the "why should we care, we will be retired or dead soon" attitude that only comes with having burned out years ago.
HOWEVER, field stations customer service reps, like here in MKE, tend to be very friendly and knowledgable (they are the great in MKE!). WorldPerks lounges are usually well-stocked and clean, and less-senior flight attendants and other staff are often friendly and helpful.
NW definitely has some serious customer service and reputation problems. I recognize this when I choose to fly them, and simply expect less. Unfortunately,that is usually what I get.