A few Northwest observations

Updated: May 5, 2021

Published: July 17, 2009

I just got off a Northwest flight from Tampa to Detroit, and wanted to post some quick thoughts:

I was on a DC9, which is one ancient bird. When I peaked into the cockpit I really thought I was in some aviation museum.
All three flight attendants had AFA pins on. For those of you that don’t know, the AFA is the flight attendant union, and I’m guessing this has something to do with Delta, given that their flight attendants aren’t unionized, but Northwest’s are (as of now).
There was one old(er) male flight attendant that was sweating like crazy and kept touching his soaking wet hair as he was preparing the drink cart without ever washing his hands. Furthermore, as he dumped out the bucket with the ice from the last flight in the lavatory sink, the ice scooper totally touched the lavatory handle more than once. Eeek!
The seatbelt sign never went off and there was no announcement from the cockpit until just before landing.
For dinner in first class they had cold chicken with pasta or a turkey sandwich. I went with the pasta. Back when Northwest was Northwest, they’d have hot food, but this was still pretty tasty and perfectly adequate for a two hour flight.
The guy sitting across from me was totally wasted. As we landed he asked me for the time and then asked me where I was connecting to. Eh….? Of course there was more to him being wasted, but I found that to be an odd interaction.

phpeiryxxpm1

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John R. Guest

February 2, 2011, 11:17 am

I think that Northwest flight attendant's were much more professional, and kind. Delta flight attendant's are rude and lazy! I can always tell flight attendant's that were Northwest, they are more professional. Delta is a lousy operation! Late, inconsistant, and chaotic! I miss the old Northwest! John R.

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oliver Guest

July 20, 2009, 12:51 pm

So violation of FAA regulations, it seems, if FAs didn't advise pax of seatbelt sign.

lucky New Member

July 19, 2009, 6:22 pm

@ Gray -- LMAO! Not sure what to say, hah... @ Despina -- I travel about 200-250K a year. Northwest is really my secondary airline, but I fly them relatively infrequently. I status matched to them late last year so the status is good through February. @ gba -- Yeah, it really eliminates the purpose of the seatbelt sign. I did notice, however, that the flight attendants didn't remind passengers that the seatbelt sign was on when they got up, unlike at United. @ Sinep -- Well, he was sitting across the aisle from me and as we're taxiing in and I'm clearly on my cellphone listening to messages and reading texts he starts a conversation with me. That's not usually how it works in my experience, and the fact that he was plastered didn't make me any more interested in talking to him.

Sinep Guest

July 18, 2009, 1:03 pm

What was odd about a guy asking you for the time (presumably for his own purposes/connection) and then asking you (presumably just to make conversation and show interest in your situation) if you were connecting?

gba Guest

July 18, 2009, 10:42 am

"The seatbelt sign never went off and there was no announcement from the cockpit until just before landing. " I had my first trip on NW in a while a couple of weeks ago and noticed the exact same thing. I wasn't paying much attention, but think we did all (or 90%+) of a SEA-MSP leg with the seat belt sign on. What's the point?

A few Northwest observations

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