Hold the plane???????
 

I saw something today that I do not think I have seen in years.

Northwest had the nerve to actually hold a plane in DTW for 15 minutes so 8 late PAX from another flight could make their connection.

When I was a happy Delta PM, I had the boarding door closed on me several times when my flights were late and I had to wait until the next flight. (Twice, the plane was still at the gate!!!!)

Will wonders never cease http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

BTW, my first NW experience in over 15 years was EXCELLENT! (Even though weather caused me miss my connection)

First class was already given to me -even before I called to upgrade.

First was not available on my connection due to earlier missed flight, but an exit row was waiting when I got to DTW.....What a great airport, I haven't been there since new terminals opened.

mikey: welcome to the frequent-buyer friendly side of the force!

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"We know you have a choice of airlines" ... the most important frequent-flyer words you heard this week.

I think it's the gate agents call, but I've frequently seen this, especially when there's a back log of flights all leaving the gates for its runways, and there's a great likelihood of its delayed flight to arrive reasonably on time...due to favorable tail wind, etc. Besides, it'll make those late connectors happy and Northwest pocket full. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

As a customer friendly airline, wouldn't you do the same if on-time arrival was still attainable? I think this is one of Northwest's strong point. If only they could bring back IFE though... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Northwest, however, continues to focus on providing reliable transportation, which is, obviously the foremost reason why we fly.

[This message has been edited by jiburi (edited Nov 12, 2003).]

I've experienced this on a number of airlines. If they can track the incoming passengers, they hold the plane, because the alternative can be very awkward and expensive. And those 15 minutes can be made up 9 times out of 10. My last NW flight (MSP-MSN) was scheduled for 65 minutes. Actual time in the air? 36 minutes.

Sorry if you misread my thoughts. I was being tongue in cheek... I loved what I saw.

DL wouldnt do it for the Pope!

[This message has been edited by mikey1003 (edited Nov 12, 2003).]

A hold is actually determined ultimately by SOC (Systems Operations Control) usually at the request of the station or the Customer Service Coordinator. Alot of factors involved in a hold: crew time, turn around time at the destination (assuming the aircraft isn't spending the night there), alternate flights for the passengers causing the need for a hold, enroute weather/winds...just to mention a few. Ultimately, the "big picture" must be looked at but in most cases, where there is a significant number of connecting passengers and especially when it is the last flight of the day (or the last for several hours), a hold is considered.
Believe it or not, I've heard complaints from other passengers that were held up for the connecting passengers...you just can't please everyone all the time.

Enjoy NWA!! I spent a whole day at DTW and it was great. Between the main WC and just tooling around. Great airport and the train is a hoot!!

Just don't hold the train! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Since it was my first time in new terminal, I decided to walk.... A 68 is a hike!

And for some strange reason CO seems to think it takes 90 minutes to fly between PVD and EWR. Actual time in the air? 35 minutes. Now that's padding!

NW does this quite regularly on the last flights out of MSP. Holding the last bank of flights back sure beats paying hotel room bills.

It sucks when you want to get home and have to wait an extra 20 minutes, but on the other hand at least I get to do it in a FC seat.

On the other hand, if you're the one connecting on a late inbound, it gets you home too http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have no problem with last flights of the day being held a few minutes for connecting pax (but I'll admit, at the end of the day, the 15-20 minute wait can seem like a very long time!). However, even when held a few minutes, the time is usually made up somewhere or padded into the schedule.

Best,

SDF_Traveler

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

Actually, of the majors, NW has the least padding on their schedule...at least according to RA. This was one of the first cost saving measures taken...and to still be in the top 3 for on-time performance consistantly...it's a pretty good feat. Also holding one of the (if not the best) records for departures at -0- ... meaning leaving the gate on-time. The DOT measures on-time performance with arrivals (within 14 min) which is a bit easier to do with a padded time and the chance to make up any delay in the air. OK - off my PR kick for NW http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Last week on DTW-SAT, we were late leaving by nearly an hour - all for about 15 late connecting pax. And I didn't mind a bit. On DL, I probably would have been rather irate.

fp

Well, what at timely topic! Last night, because of weather, my flight from MDW to DTW was delayed 2 hours. Amazingly, the last flight out to CMH was also delayed to 10 PM which was exactly when the flight from MDW arrive - even more amazingly at the gate RIGHT NEXT to the CMH flight. The door at the gate was closed and the agent was walking away as I dashed over to A 11. Missing this flight required an expensive overnight stay at the (very nice) new Westin hotel and very early flight on a flight first thing this morning. It would have been REALLY nice to have held this flight for even a few minutes to have made it possible to get home last night. Does NW keep track of Platinum or other "elite" level passengers to help out with situations like this?