Good luck, MEM [ATC Problems]
Sep 25, 2007 | 8:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
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Posts: 6,315
How come when the goverment goofs up, they do not have to refund the people? As much as I dislike all the airlines, if this was a NWA issue that delayed flights for hours everyone would want a refund and or more.
Sep 25, 2007 | 9:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: CDG
Programs: NW Gold Elite
Posts: 278
I got stuck on a MEM-bound midday flight. Boarded at 11:10am, sat on the tarmac for 2 hours, returned to gate for 1 hour, re-boarded, taxied around for 30 minutes, and finally landed MEM at 5:51pm 
.
Crew did a good job. Pilots kept reminding us that it wasn't the FAs fault, and not to take it out on them, and also asked that we not ask the FAs about our connecting flights.
Only negative about the situation was the attitude of the other pax. I don't understand why some people get so nasty and belligerent in situations like this.
.Crew did a good job. Pilots kept reminding us that it wasn't the FAs fault, and not to take it out on them, and also asked that we not ask the FAs about our connecting flights.
Only negative about the situation was the attitude of the other pax. I don't understand why some people get so nasty and belligerent in situations like this.
Sep 26, 2007 | 7:04 am
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
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Sep 26, 2007 | 12:40 pm
#6
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Sep 26, 2007 | 3:14 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BTR
Programs: DL Silver, CO Silver, AA, Wyndham ByRequest
Posts: 309
It wasn't bad at all
I was on 1296 from Denver to Memphis yesterday morning. We stopped about 60 miles west of Wichita and started circling - the captain explained that the Memphis area ATC radar went out. A few minutes later he clarified that it was actually their radios that were out. After circling for about 45 minutes (waiting for the problem to be fixed) the captain announced we were diverting to MCI. Touched down there, refueled and were on the ground for about 45 minutes until our plane reboarded and continued on to Memphis. We were able to get off the plane, just asked not to leave the gate area because we didn't know when our takeoff window would open up.
When we got to Memphis, the gate agent explained that the ATC radio tower was struck by lightning. My onward flight to BTR was delayed by 3 hours, so even though we arrived about 2 hours late, there was plenty of time to make the connection. Judging from the monitors in MEM, there were a few cancellations, but mostly just 3-4 hour delays. By takeoff to BTR (5:45 ish) only a few flights still had delays, and they were down to about 30 minutes.
NW handled the incident very well, and gave us the $10 food/1000 wp miles/ $25 off coupon books, even though it wasn't their problem. While we were circling, and at MCI, the cockpit was never out of communication for more than 20 minutes at a time, and the passengers all seemed pretty cool about it. Maybe they're learning?
When we got to Memphis, the gate agent explained that the ATC radio tower was struck by lightning. My onward flight to BTR was delayed by 3 hours, so even though we arrived about 2 hours late, there was plenty of time to make the connection. Judging from the monitors in MEM, there were a few cancellations, but mostly just 3-4 hour delays. By takeoff to BTR (5:45 ish) only a few flights still had delays, and they were down to about 30 minutes.
NW handled the incident very well, and gave us the $10 food/1000 wp miles/ $25 off coupon books, even though it wasn't their problem. While we were circling, and at MCI, the cockpit was never out of communication for more than 20 minutes at a time, and the passengers all seemed pretty cool about it. Maybe they're learning?