And just when I was starting to LIKE NW...
Apr 24, 2000 | 5:41 pm
#1
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And just when I was starting to LIKE NW...
The following is my trip report to Atlanta from April 20-24.
20APR NW 791 EWR-MEM DC-9-30 Seat 18F
I arrived at about 5:25 for this 6:00 A.M. flight. The screen indicated that they needed volunteers b/c of an oversale. I told the agent that I was willing to do it, so long as I could be reaccomodated on a flight that would get me to my final destination, Atlanta, within 20 minutes of my original arrival. A CO nonstop, for example, would've done this. The agent said (erroneously) that she could not do that, and I would have to stick to a NW flight that would get me in about 3 hours later. Therefore, I elected to stay with my original flights.
The aircraft itself was in pretty good condition. It appeared to have been refurbished, a while ago but not too recently. Having a seat in the third to last row meant that I'd have to put up with alot of noise from the aft-mounted engines.
It was almost worth it, though, when a pretty girl (about my age--16/17) ended up being my seatmate. However, it did NOT work out at all. She ended up farting about SEVEN times during the two-hour twenty-minute flight. And every time she did it, she pretended like she did not know what was going on. Two hours of hell I tell you.
Finally, we were served the usual NW a la carte breakfast--bagel, cereal, and fruit. Bagel was delicious, but I hate the fact that they never have any butter.
We pulled in on time to MEM.
20APR NW526 MEM-ATL DC-9-30 5E
The flight was quite enjoyable, albeit extremely turbulent. The FAs efficiently served the coach cabin drinks for the 1 hours flight. I happened to sit next to a guy who works for Canadair. He talked about the huge order Delta Connection made for their RJs, the largest order in history.
Into ATL on time.
My time in Atlanta was extremely enjoyable. MY main purpose for traveling there was to visit Morehouse College, my home for the next four years. I received a four-year academic scholarship (tuition and room & board) to attend the school, and it was impossible to refuse. I fell in love with the beautiful campus while I was there. I know I'll be happy there.
Traveling around with my uncle, who lives in Atlanta, I visited the Coca-Cola Pavilion, Underground Atlanta, CNN Center, and Centennial Olympic Park. For Easter Sunday, I went to service in the Georgia Dome. My uncle's church has its Easter Sunday services there every year. Something like 25,000 people attended. It was truly spectacular.
Alas, my Atlanta trp had to come to an end. Unfortunately, it was not on a totally positive note. Read the rest of my trip report and you'll see why.
24APR NW526 ATL-DTW A320 7A
This time around, I put myself on the volunteer list. Although it seemed as if they would need volunteers, and I was #1 on the list, they ended not needing anyone. The gate agent at the aircraft made me check my carry-on, since as a volunteer boarding dead last all of the carryon space had been used up.
The weather was of concern; it looked as if it could storm at any time. Luckily, it did not, but it made for a wild ride on takeoff. The FAs managed to serve beverages on the 80-minute run.
One peeve: the racket created by the A320's engines on takeoff and climb.
Even with the weather, we arrived into DTW on time.
NW366 DTW-EWR DC-9-30 16-B
Detroit Metropolitan is the most people-unfriendly airport that I have ever been in. Getting between the concourses swiftly is a strenuous affair even for someone in relatively good shape like myself.
Once I got to the gate, I again put myself on the volunteer list. And again, I was number one on that list. But alas, it was again not to be. (Oh how I want one of those Free Tickets!)
Upon boarding, however, I wished that they had used me. The cabin was SWELTERING! Apparently, one of the AC units had overheated and smoked. We waited on the ground for 40 minutes while a mechanic looked at the overheated unit, and signed it off for deferred repair so that we could leave. The AC worked, though.
Service on this flight was slow. There were only 2 FAs on the plane (1 in Coach, anyway). She came around with a beverage service and pretzels. It was extremely windy and turbulent and windy upon approach into EWR. My flight ended up pulling into EWR approx. 1 hour late.
Without my bag. After all of the luggage from NW366 had been unloaded, I went to the NW Luggage Service Center. The agent there told me to wait an hour for the next flight coming in from DTW, saying my bag was probably in on that flight. When it wasn't, I went back to him. There, he snapped. (I have enclosed my letter to Luggage Service Online in a later osting.) He refused to perform the automated trace that he was required to. He took my address and phone number, and said NW would deliver the bag once it "reappeared".
A sour endnote to an otheriwse okay trip. Thanks for always finding a way to screw up, NW.
For the record, I only flew NW becaues it had an E-Cert fare that was much cheaper than that of the other carriers.
[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 04-30-2000).]
20APR NW 791 EWR-MEM DC-9-30 Seat 18F
I arrived at about 5:25 for this 6:00 A.M. flight. The screen indicated that they needed volunteers b/c of an oversale. I told the agent that I was willing to do it, so long as I could be reaccomodated on a flight that would get me to my final destination, Atlanta, within 20 minutes of my original arrival. A CO nonstop, for example, would've done this. The agent said (erroneously) that she could not do that, and I would have to stick to a NW flight that would get me in about 3 hours later. Therefore, I elected to stay with my original flights.
The aircraft itself was in pretty good condition. It appeared to have been refurbished, a while ago but not too recently. Having a seat in the third to last row meant that I'd have to put up with alot of noise from the aft-mounted engines.
It was almost worth it, though, when a pretty girl (about my age--16/17) ended up being my seatmate. However, it did NOT work out at all. She ended up farting about SEVEN times during the two-hour twenty-minute flight. And every time she did it, she pretended like she did not know what was going on. Two hours of hell I tell you.
Finally, we were served the usual NW a la carte breakfast--bagel, cereal, and fruit. Bagel was delicious, but I hate the fact that they never have any butter.
We pulled in on time to MEM.
20APR NW526 MEM-ATL DC-9-30 5E
The flight was quite enjoyable, albeit extremely turbulent. The FAs efficiently served the coach cabin drinks for the 1 hours flight. I happened to sit next to a guy who works for Canadair. He talked about the huge order Delta Connection made for their RJs, the largest order in history.
Into ATL on time.
My time in Atlanta was extremely enjoyable. MY main purpose for traveling there was to visit Morehouse College, my home for the next four years. I received a four-year academic scholarship (tuition and room & board) to attend the school, and it was impossible to refuse. I fell in love with the beautiful campus while I was there. I know I'll be happy there.
Traveling around with my uncle, who lives in Atlanta, I visited the Coca-Cola Pavilion, Underground Atlanta, CNN Center, and Centennial Olympic Park. For Easter Sunday, I went to service in the Georgia Dome. My uncle's church has its Easter Sunday services there every year. Something like 25,000 people attended. It was truly spectacular.
Alas, my Atlanta trp had to come to an end. Unfortunately, it was not on a totally positive note. Read the rest of my trip report and you'll see why.
24APR NW526 ATL-DTW A320 7A
This time around, I put myself on the volunteer list. Although it seemed as if they would need volunteers, and I was #1 on the list, they ended not needing anyone. The gate agent at the aircraft made me check my carry-on, since as a volunteer boarding dead last all of the carryon space had been used up.
The weather was of concern; it looked as if it could storm at any time. Luckily, it did not, but it made for a wild ride on takeoff. The FAs managed to serve beverages on the 80-minute run.
One peeve: the racket created by the A320's engines on takeoff and climb.
Even with the weather, we arrived into DTW on time.
NW366 DTW-EWR DC-9-30 16-B
Detroit Metropolitan is the most people-unfriendly airport that I have ever been in. Getting between the concourses swiftly is a strenuous affair even for someone in relatively good shape like myself.
Once I got to the gate, I again put myself on the volunteer list. And again, I was number one on that list. But alas, it was again not to be. (Oh how I want one of those Free Tickets!)
Upon boarding, however, I wished that they had used me. The cabin was SWELTERING! Apparently, one of the AC units had overheated and smoked. We waited on the ground for 40 minutes while a mechanic looked at the overheated unit, and signed it off for deferred repair so that we could leave. The AC worked, though.
Service on this flight was slow. There were only 2 FAs on the plane (1 in Coach, anyway). She came around with a beverage service and pretzels. It was extremely windy and turbulent and windy upon approach into EWR. My flight ended up pulling into EWR approx. 1 hour late.
Without my bag. After all of the luggage from NW366 had been unloaded, I went to the NW Luggage Service Center. The agent there told me to wait an hour for the next flight coming in from DTW, saying my bag was probably in on that flight. When it wasn't, I went back to him. There, he snapped. (I have enclosed my letter to Luggage Service Online in a later osting.) He refused to perform the automated trace that he was required to. He took my address and phone number, and said NW would deliver the bag once it "reappeared".
A sour endnote to an otheriwse okay trip. Thanks for always finding a way to screw up, NW.
For the record, I only flew NW becaues it had an E-Cert fare that was much cheaper than that of the other carriers.
[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 04-30-2000).]
Apr 24, 2000 | 9:40 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: source of weird and eccentric ideas
Posts: 40,070
Thanks for the great report, avek00
BTW, what don't you like about the "racket" from the A320 engines? Although I kinda know what you mean. The Airbus makes all kind of strange sounds anyway during takeoff and landing, I guess I've grown used to it.
RE Detroit Metro, this airport is like going into a fifties time warp. It makes Laguardia look positively modern (actually LGA can be okay). It is a dump. Rental cars are miles away, everything is small and filthy and congested. Oh well, one more reason not to take NW if possible
BTW, what don't you like about the "racket" from the A320 engines? Although I kinda know what you mean. The Airbus makes all kind of strange sounds anyway during takeoff and landing, I guess I've grown used to it.
RE Detroit Metro, this airport is like going into a fifties time warp. It makes Laguardia look positively modern (actually LGA can be okay). It is a dump. Rental cars are miles away, everything is small and filthy and congested. Oh well, one more reason not to take NW if possible
Apr 25, 2000 | 12:47 am
#4
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
avek00: good detailed reported. Just a personal opinion that "a gas condition" might be a better word than that one you use to describe that female passenger. A bad experience, never the less.
Again, this is just *MY* opinion. I can't use that word in my business.
Again, this is just *MY* opinion. I can't use that word in my business.
Apr 25, 2000 | 1:01 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: HKG/SFO
Programs: CX GR; AA Life GLD, EXP; SPG Life GLD, PLT
Posts: 1,050
Yeah.. the DTW airport is not good. the first time I flown to DTW is by NW, then after that I always fly AA.
Think about DTW and ORD, huge different.
Also, I tried to find the "van" (cost $20) to get me to town but just cant find the place, information counter is empty, and lack of direction...
I have no choice but to use DTW, b'cos I studying in UMich :O
Think about DTW and ORD, huge different.
Also, I tried to find the "van" (cost $20) to get me to town but just cant find the place, information counter is empty, and lack of direction...
I have no choice but to use DTW, b'cos I studying in UMich :O
?
Apr 30, 2000 | 2:22 pm
#10
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A copy of my letter to NW Luggage Service Online will be enclosed, along with the NW response, as soon as NW gets back to me.