Compass & Mesaba operations in DTW
Nov 1, 2008 | 6:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DTW or FNT
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Posts: 635
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?
Why is it that Compass parks at the A concourse at DTW, and Mesaba parks their CR9s in B?
Nov 1, 2008 | 7:57 am
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
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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)
Nov 1, 2008 | 8:01 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MKE
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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)
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.
Nov 1, 2008 | 10:41 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RST
Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold
Posts: 4,844
Mesaba flights from Canadian airports without custom pre-clearance go to A gates (international gates).
Nov 1, 2008 | 10:45 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
I'm still amazed they get a drink cart on the saab!
Nov 1, 2008 | 11:36 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,613
Good lord, the saab isn't that small!! It's no 1900.
Simple answer to the OPs question: because Mesaba was here first!
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.
Simple answer to the OPs question: because Mesaba was here first!
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.
Nov 1, 2008 | 10:28 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
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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.
Nov 2, 2008 | 6:57 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MKE
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Nov 2, 2008 | 10:05 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,613
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.
Nov 2, 2008 | 6:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MKE
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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.
Nov 3, 2008 | 4:52 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Bismarck, ND, USA
Programs: DL, AA, UA
Posts: 63
If DTW is anything like MSP, CP is handled by mainline, while XJ/9E are handled by XJ.