That was like Christmas, New Years and my Birthday all rolled into one for an airline junkie. Most memorable was looking into the cargo hold of a 747 freighter. The volume is just immense. At that time I don’t think they were doing major overhauls at MSP but did get to see some 757′s in various stages of repair.

The flight training center was interesting. Of course they wouldn’t let me jump into a flight simulator and take it for a spin. Got to look inside the 747-400 simulator. Yeah, little bit nicer than Microsoft Flight Simulator. They had several simulators there. I imagine ones for the whole NWA fleet. They made it sound like not all airlines have simulators and many leased time on NWA’s simulators for their own training. Seems like a good business to be in since they mentioned what it cost per hour and all I remember is thinking it was a lot, i.e. thousands.

I think there was a weather issue in JFK so we were actually diverted to PHL for an hour or so and I remember the plane just sitting there and we weren’t allowed to deplane. Then later on we flew back to JFK and .. well, let’s just say a few delayed 747s arriving together at the same time didn’t make for a pretty scene at immigration. :D

Since I started flying, however, have never even thought of flying with them.

Japan Airlines also operated the DC-10-40, and NWA did later pick up some -30s.

As a kid I grew up off of JFK’s runway 4R/22L (aircraft departing 4L and 4R would bank right and come off my house as would most traffic from 13R and 13L). I used to love sitting on the garage roof and watching the cross branded NW/KL DC-10 coming in.

My 8 year old daughter’s 3rd,4th,5th,6th flights of her life were on NW metal. JFK-DTW-SFO/SFO-MSP-JFK (her first and second flights were on TWA). The first leg left my wife and daughter stranded in Detroit when she was 2 months old, staying overnight due to delays…….joyous NWA memories.

One funny memory with Northwest involved flying PVD-MSP for a photo shoot. My checked bag full of my lights never arrived at MSP. After an hour of looking it was determined the bag stayed on the aircraft and was headed for Las Vegas. Since I had no purpose in being in MSP without my bag, NWA stuck me on the next flight home and off I went. Upon arriving home at PVD I spotted my bag,which is hard to miss (it has my name in bright yellow paint marker on it).

I went to the baggage office to claim it ,it turns out it was never loaded onto my flight.

NWA did refund the entire $1200+ fare with some arguing.

No idea why this story is funny to me, but it is.

I always loved flying into NRT and seeing a see of NWA tails, same with AMS. It just makes me smile.

……….so long NWA

-Fish

Wasn’t Northwest the only airline to fly the 40 series of the DC-10? Or was it that NWA only have DC-10s that were 40 series?

Weren’t they they first to fly the 747-400?

Being from Minnesota I’m glad to see their HQ leaving the state. I felt it was bad for the state the way the politicians bent over backwards for the airline. Hopefully those days are over. Especially with the high air fare part of it.

…especially with SWA finally dipping it’s toe into the MSP.

So glad this negotiation has come to an end. Since we’re based out of Atlanta for Jet Set Life and we use both airlines we were on pins and needles waiting for the outcome. Great Post Thank You.

Warmest Regards,
Rob

That made a huge impression on this kid.