Compass & Mesaba operations in DTW
 

So I'd like to think that all things are equal between these two companies. They're both subsidiaries of NW, they both fly nice new planes, (E175 vs CRJ900).

Why is it that Compass parks at the A concourse at DTW, and Mesaba parks their CR9s in B?

Not true...last week I had a 175 leave out of a46 (where they usually park both 744's and 333's)...a day later I saw a SAAB (yes a prop) parked at that same gate....175 is operated by Compass, SAAB's are operated by Mesaba (I have yet to see Pinnacle parked at A though)

They use some of the big international gates for a Saab on occasion, but in general, OP's points are true, Compass is generally in A, while the Pinnacle and Mesaba planes are over in B/C.

I assume it has something to do with the 175s being higher off the ground, possibly not requiring gate checked bags, i.e. more mainline like. I'm not sure though. Still haven't had the pleasure of flying Compass.

Mesaba flights from Canadian airports without custom pre-clearance go to A gates (international gates).

I'm still amazed they get a drink cart on the saab!

Good lord, the saab isn't that small!! It's no 1900.

Simple answer to the OPs question: because Mesaba was here first! :D

Seriously - with Mesaba and Pinnacle being existing carriers with crew space and offices etc... taking up most of B and C there is simply no room for Compass on B/C. A few years ago the Avro operated by Mesaba would park on A and B and that was a nightmare. It's so much easier to organize the operation closer together.

YOu'll only see saabs parked at A now for international arrivals. They're towed back over to C for departure.

I can't help but wonder if that will change when CO is no longer in B/C.

By then there will presumably be a lot less DC9s on A, so even more space over there...Good question.

Whatever Delta flights may come over to A, at least the mainline one.

CO only uses 3 gates on B and 1 gate occasionally on C. Hardly enough for the entire CP operation. However, presumably DL will start parking their mainline planes on A and likely shuffle the CRJ200s to C with the rest of their friends and leave the 900s on B. With that, there could very well be enough gates on B for the CP operation... not to mention the vacated space by CO on the 1st floor. I think however, it will carry on as status quo.

As always, thanks for the insight, azj!

If DTW is anything like MSP, CP is handled by mainline, while XJ/9E are handled by XJ.