Northwest Airlines strike-- Thoughts/Advice?

[Rosebud]

Just wanted to see if anyone else is being affected by the Northwest Airlines strike? Has anyone flown with them since the strike started?


We booked our honeymoon flights on Northwest Airlines (through Expedia.com) a couple of months ago. Now, with the strike, I'm worried. We are flying from L.A. to the Detroit hub on October 10th, changing planes (about a 2 hour layover total) and then continuing on to Paris.

Two weeks later, we're flying direct from Amsterdam to L.A. (this should be through their KLM affiliate, so I'm not worried about this leg).

The news reports keep saying that Northwest is doing a good job of keeping their flight schedules, considering the strike. I'm just really worried about the L.A.--> Detroit--> Paris leg. We've already decided to go carry-on only so they can't lose our luggage, but I'm afraid that a flight will get canceled or delayed so significantly that we won't get to Paris.


Anyone have any advice to share?

[miaclear]

My mom's flying NWA from Mpls to Dallas tomorrow. She was worried about a week ago but for whatever reason she isn't now. I've been checking the same flight for the last couple days and each day it's been on time.

Good luck.

[Jazz]

Not flying NW, but have read it should be close to normal now-ish. Hopefully it won't affect you. Like miaclear said, you can check that first flight online each day and see how it's going.

Another option is to try to go standby to Detriot on an earlier flight that day (if there is an earlier one). Do you have mileage status on NW? I do on United, and I can call before heading to the airport to see if there is room to go standby on earlier flights. You'd have a longer layover, but would be more certain of getting on your Paris flight.

[amorey]

Since I live in Minneapolis where NWA is headquartered, there’s been a lot about NWA on the news lately. NWA seems to be saying that it’s doing fine, but I’ve heard that up to 25% of their flights are delayed. You can try to fly standby on an earlier flight to ensure you won’t miss your connection. I also know that United will honor Northwest tickets at no extra charge.

After all I’ve heard about the strike, my biggest fear is that inexperienced replacement workers are working on the plains. That would make me a little nervous.

[Rosebud]

Yes, I'm definitely nervous about maintainence issues & plane safety! Trying not to worry about that, but it's a serious concern.

This is actually my first time flying Northwest. I normally fly Air France/Delta to Paris, but since we were doing an open jaw flight we just couldn't find anything quite right. Northwest had the best option given our time frame. Bad timing, huh?

I just checked and it looks like today the flights in question are on time. Will keep checking back as we get closer to October.

That's good to know about United-- thank you! Even if we get stuck in Detroit (lovely city, but I don't want to honeymoon there... ;) ) I believe United flies pretty regularly to Paris.

[boilermaker]

I'm pretty sure that the NWA "replacement" workers are really the Continental workers who are working overtime. They had that agreement in place because they knew the strike was immenent. So I wouldn't worry about that.

I have had several friends and coworkers fly NW these past couple of weeks and things have been typical. No unusual delays or anything. But I second the standby on an earlier flight suggestion if it will make you feel better. The Detroit airport was recently redone, so it's not a bad place to spend 3-4 hours to ensure making yoru Paris flight.

[Rosebud]

boilermaker- Thank you!! That makes me feel a lot better. :)

[laura]

My friends just visited us from Minneapolis over Labor Day weekend and they flew Northwest w/o any trouble. They were mildly concerned about delays b/c they were traveling w/ their baby (8 months old & her first flight), but everything worked out great for them.

[STLwed]

We flew round trip on NWA for labor day - I was worried about the strike, but 3/4 of our flights were on time or early (we connected through MSP) - the one that wasn't (our last) was because of weather - we sat on the runway for 45 minutes b/c the planes had to take off with instrument, rather than visual, rules. I also checked all the arrival/departure boards while we were in the airports, and did not see many cancelations - one or two, and one was always New Orleans. The delays were very minimal also. The first weekend of the strike (aug 20) they had troubles, but they really seem to be doing fine now.

:)
Liz

[Delaney21]

I flew the day after the strike was official and I had no problems. I think they were really prepared for it as they were talking about the possibility last year.

[GeekGirl]

My mom is a flight attendant out of DTW for one of the NWA regional airlinks, and she says thing things have been running pretty smoothly in Detroit.