Dtwclipper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (2 years 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 12676 times:
My latest NW rant......I think you will all enjoy Part III the most!
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Case: 4776510
Received: Nov 28, 2007 at 07:13:55 PM
Subject: CR-Complaints
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Title: Mr
First Name: X
Last Name: X
Reply-To Email Address: clipper@XXXX.XXX Alternate Email Address:
WorldPerks Number: XXXXXXXX
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City: Northville
State/Province: MI
Zip/Postal Code: 48167
Country: US
Flight Date: 11/26/2006
Flight Number: NW3777
Origin City: dtw
Destination City: cvg
Ticket Number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Confirmation Number: XXXXXX
Response Required: Yes
====================
Message:
Part I, Sent Nov 27, 2007
Of my 70 plus segments on Northwest for calendar year 2007 I have been separated from my baggage three or four times. This is the first time however my baggage has been delayed on the outbound portion of my trip.
As of this time, I have not received my luggage (Baggage trace record CVGNWXXXXX).
In all of the other cases it has only been a minor inconvenience as Northwest has delivered the items to my home in suburban Detroit.
However, I am still at a loss to understand how my baggage could be delayed at such small stations as Dayton, Ohio or Lexington, Kentucky as has been the case in the past.
As all of my trips are on Regional Aircraft I do not have the opportunity to carry my items on board the aircraft and I am obliged to check them to my final destination. I have been in contact with the baggage service office, but they are unsure if my luggage is still in Detroit or has in fact been transported to Cincinnati.
This trip to Cincinnati and Lexington has been a complete disappointment as I have not had a change of clothing nor my personal items. I have had to purchase additional items to meet with my clients in Ohio and Kentucky, which has only added additional stress to an already frenetic schedule.
This is not a remarkable achievement for Northwest. As you are well aware, I do spend a great deal of money with Northwest as my business takes me out of town at least once a week. I need Northwest to be reliable and transport both my person and my belongings were my business takes me. At this point.....just find my suitcase!.....
PART II: November 28, 2007
I finally was able to get through to the baggage office at Cincinnati.
It took more than 20 calls before the phone was answered. I spoke with "Kirk" at approximately 9 a.m. He informed me that yes, indeed my bag was there, and assured me that it would be sent out for delivery at 11 a.m. that morning. The Tracking service website was never updated. At
7 p.m. after nearly 20 more calls, I spoke with Patrick who informed me that my bag was still at the airport. I had to leave my hotel, drive back to the airport, pay for short term parking to retrieve my suitcase
(Please keep in mind that I am/was booked on NW 3772 at 7:45 a.m. the
following morning, but I was told that baggage service would not be open at that hour, so I have to make an extra trip).
Here is my major issue. My bag arrived at CVG the same day as I did on
NW3783 (I HAVE RETAINED ALL OF THE RELEVENT BAGGAGE TAGS) however, Cincinnati did not follow procedure and scan the bag in when it arrived, therefore, NW Baggage service did not have the correct information.
Baggage Service sent numerous e-mails to CVG but none were answered.
The telephones in CVG are not manned and I spent an inappropriate amount of time trying to reach someone there. Your representative in CVG "Kirk" assured me that my baggage would be delivered and it was not, nor was the system updated to reflect the status.
Last point: this ticket alone had a value of USD878.80, multiply that by
72 and you will see that I am a valued customer. As NW is the "hometown" airline in Detroit, and the cities I travel to on business are best served by NW and its' partners, I rely on Northwest and hope that this will not happen in the future.
Part III, November 29.
I arrived at CVG this morning for flight 3772. Once again I was obliged to check my bag to Detroit. Guess what?! It was not put on the aircraft in CVG. I lost an hour waiting at the claim area and office, and was told it should arrive sometime tonight....we'll see.
It was nice to see my bag last night for the few hours we had together....I hope we'll be together again soon.
Isitsafenow From United States, joined Feb 2004, 4133 posts, RR: 32 Reply 3, posted (2 years 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 12527 times:
Did you really spend $878.00 for a RT between DTW and CVG or are you just funnin' us....just a little?
If so, you nee a new travel agent or a dependable car for I-75..
safe
If two people agree on EVERYTHING, then one isn't necessary.
AirTran737 From United States, joined Apr 2004, 3123 posts, RR: 15 Reply 4, posted (2 years 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 12502 times:
This story makes me so glad that I turned down the offer from Pinnacle to be the station manager in CVG. I would kill myself if I had to deal with that level of idiocy.
Nice Trip Report!!! Great Pics, thanks for posting!!!! B747Forever
TWFirst From Vatican City State (Holy See), joined Apr 2000, 6032 posts, RR: 57 Reply 7, posted (2 years 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 12294 times:
This answer:
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 2): No, I thought of that, but with the TSA regulations I need to check certain items.
Doesn't seem to jive with what you wrote in your letter:
Quoting Dtwclipper (Thread starter): As all of my trips are on Regional Aircraft I do not have the opportunity to carry my items on board the aircraft and I am obliged to check them to my final destination.
SO... if you weren't on regional aircraft (not sure why you capitalized that, btw), would you, or would you not still check your luggage? If you would still need to due to TSA regulations, why is the aircraft size relevant as part of your complaint?
Flyinryan99 From United States, joined Feb 2001, 1462 posts, RR: 14 Reply 8, posted (2 years 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 11882 times:
How about buying an airplane and either paying someone to fly it or learning to fly it yourself? Can't beat jumping in your own airplane whenever you want to fly wherever you want. Can pack whatever you need and just throw it in the back seat.
You do have a point. Left-offs shouldn't happen at smaller outstations.
MD11FR8Jock From United States, joined Nov 2006, 13 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 years 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 11818 times:
My airline will give you a money back guarantee in writing that we will get your bag to you at your destination. We even have nice friendly delivery personnel that will pick it up at your door and deliver it to your final destination!!
N710PS From United States, joined Oct 2006, 1166 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (2 years 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 10976 times:
Quoting MD11FR8Jock (Reply 9): My airline will give you a money back guarantee in writing that we will get your bag to you at your destination. We even have nice friendly delivery personnel that will pick it up at your door and deliver it to your final destination!!
Here here to that!
There is plenty of room for Gods animals, right next to the mashed potatoes!
NwAflyer07 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (2 years 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 10918 times:
A quick search of NW's website yeilds a fare of $284.30 roundtrip from DTW-CVG. Taxes included and flight is on December 6th. How in the world were you charged that much money? lol
Dtwclipper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (2 years 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 10871 times:
Quoting NwAflyer07 (Reply 11): A quick search of NW's website yeilds a fare of $284.30 roundtrip from DTW-CVG. Taxes included and flight is on December 6th. How in the world were you charged that much money?
That was most likely a non-refundable, restricted ticket. When you travel at the last moment and require flexiblility...the price goes through the roof.
WorldTraveler From United States, joined Aug 2003, 6777 posts, RR: 30 Reply 13, posted (2 years 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 10433 times:
the point is not the fare the guy paid but the service he received.
have you considered flying DL connection between these cities and if so have you had any better service on them? You'd still get your miles on DL coded flights. even if you didn't, loyalty is great if you get the service to go with it.
Dtwclipper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (2 years 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 10260 times:
Quoting WorldTraveler (Reply 13): have you considered flying DL connection between these cities and if so have you had any better service on them? You'd still get your miles on DL coded flights. even if you didn't, loyalty is great if you get the service to go with it.
DL flight segments do not qualify for elite status.
"Elite Qualifying Segments
Members who don't necessarily travel far in distance to earn mileage but fly frequently can qualify for Elite status based on the number of segments flown. All paid fare classes eligible to earn WorldPerks miles on Northwest or any of our Elite Qualifying Airline Partners will count toward your Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) for the 2008 program year (flights operated by Delta are excluded)."
Quoting Itsnotfinals (Reply 14): Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 12):
When you travel at the last moment and require flexibility...the price goes through the roof.
buy the cheaper ticket and pay the change fees , still hundreds less.
JohnJ From United States, joined Jun 2000, 1292 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (2 years 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 9170 times:
You folks must not travel much on last-minute business. I'm currently on a BDL-ATL trip and I paid $1300 for the pleasure of the last row on the outbound, and at present I have a center seat at the back of a 757 on return. We're supporting your cheap airfares. For travel on Monday returning Tuesday, here's what Northwest has to offer DTW-CVG:
Northwest Airlines 3780
operated by
PINNACLE AIRLINES/NWA AIRLINK JET
Booking Class: B / Economy
Ticket Designator:
Meal: none
Equipment: CRJ
Tue, Dec 4
1hr 18min
1:25pm Depart Cincinnati (CVG)
2:43pm Arrive Detroit (DTW)
Approximate Distance: 239 miles
View Seat Map Choose This Flight
RW170 From United States, joined Sep 2007, 405 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (2 years 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 8931 times:
Quoting Itsnotfinals (Reply 14): buy the cheaper ticket and pay the change fees , still hundreds less.
Not quite that simple. Buy the cheaper ticket and if you try and change the ticket last minute, you will pay a $100 change fee PLUS any difference in fare (and of course last minute it's going to be a huge difference), so you may end up spending more than you would have if you had purchased at the full fare.
Dynkrisolo From United States, joined Feb 2001, 1774 posts, RR: 8 Reply 19, posted (2 years 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 8868 times:
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 15): Quoting WorldTraveler (Reply 13):
have you considered flying DL connection between these cities and if so have you had any better service on them? You'd still get your miles on DL coded flights. even if you didn't, loyalty is great if you get the service to go with it.
DL flight segments do not qualify for elite status.
"Elite Qualifying Segments
Members who don't necessarily travel far in distance to earn mileage but fly frequently can qualify for Elite status based on the number of segments flown. All paid fare classes eligible to earn WorldPerks miles on Northwest or any of our Elite Qualifying Airline Partners will count toward your Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) for the 2008 program year (flights operated by Delta are excluded)."
Elite Qualifying Miles can be earned on the following airlines: Northwest, Northwest Airlink, Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, Continental Express, Continental Micronesia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Delta Shuttle, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Air Europa, Alaska Airlines, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air and Malev Hungarian Airlines.
Anyhow, I'm sorry to hear the sad service that you have received from NW. Airlines are prone to lose check-in bags. For such a short trip, you're much better off to pack your luggage according to TSA's carry-on regulations and gate-check your luggage. You'll save yourself a lot of grief.
RW170 From United States, joined Sep 2007, 405 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (2 years 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 8625 times:
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 15): DL flight segments do not qualify for elite status.
"Elite Qualifying Segments
Members who don't necessarily travel far in distance to earn mileage but fly frequently can qualify for Elite status based on the number of segments flown. All paid fare classes eligible to earn WorldPerks miles on Northwest or any of our Elite Qualifying Airline Partners will count toward your Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) for the 2008 program year (flights operated by Delta are excluded)."
Elite Qualifying Miles can be earned on the following airlines: Northwest, Northwest Airlink, Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, Continental Express, Continental Micronesia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Delta Shuttle, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Air Europa, Alaska Airlines, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air and Malev Hungarian Airlines.
Dtwclipper is talking about segments; you are talking about miles. Two different ways to earn elite, two different policies.
NASCARAirforce From United States, joined Feb 2005, 1773 posts, RR: 4 Reply 21, posted (2 years 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 7690 times:
I agree with IsItSafe...
Why would you spend that much money for a round trip to CVG from DTW? Even with a gas guzzler it would only cost you about $120 to round trip with an Expedition or something. The time you spent waiting for the plane at both airports and the process of security, then waiting for your bags that didn't come... hell you could have drove down I-75 in the same amount of time to Cinci.
AEroc From United States, joined Aug 2004, 284 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (2 years 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 7663 times:
I thought this thread was about how NW lost his luggage and how he will never see it again, not how much he paid for his tickets....who cares thats his business. Business travelers will pay thru the roof for no restriction tickets its the way of the world. dtwclipper I really hope NW finds you bag, but most of the ramp only employees (mainly in the hubs) dont speak any English and cant read bag tags so I wish you the best of luck!
DocLightning From United States, joined Nov 2005, 7368 posts, RR: 50 Reply 23, posted (2 years 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 7486 times:
I remember once when LH lost my bags FRA-DTW. After waiting for my bags, which never arrived, I went through customs, went to the LH service desk, gave my name, and was answered with "Ah! Mr. G! We've been waiting for you! We're terribly sorry, but your bags are still in Frankfurt due to an error on our part. They'll be delivered tomorrow afternoon to your home by 7PM. Can you leave your address and phone number?"
When NW lost my bags (and a third of the plane's bags) on a LGW-DTW flight, their answer was a dumb look and a "Your bags are missing? Well I don't know where they are!"
OK. Both airlines committed similar errors, although NW's was far bigger. LH recovered by 1) using the intervening 7 hours to detect and begin to work on rectifying the error. 2) Apologizing. 3) Promptly taking action.
NW added insult to injury by failing to notice that a third of a plane's passengers' bags were sitting on the tarmac at LGW. The compounded their error by being rude, confrontational, defensive, and unhelpful.
Service isn't about being perfect, it's about how you deal with problems.
VC10DC10 From United States, joined Apr 2006, 736 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (2 years 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 7354 times:
Quoting AirTran737 (Reply 4): This story makes me so glad that I turned down the offer from Pinnacle to be the station manager in CVG. I would kill myself if I had to deal with that level of idiocy.
Maybe you'd be preventing it.
Quoting MD11FR8Jock (Reply 9): My airline will give you a money back guarantee in writing that we will get your bag to you at your destination. We even have nice friendly delivery personnel that will pick it up at your door and deliver it to your final destination!!
Quoting RW170 (Reply 18): Not quite that simple. Buy the cheaper ticket and if you try and change the ticket last minute, you will pay a $100 change fee PLUS any difference in fare (and of course last minute it's going to be a huge difference), so you may end up spending more than you would have if you had purchased at the full fare.
In theory you are correct, of course. Last month, however, I was late for a flight (overslept, stupid me) and rather than being charged an arm and a leg, NW very kindly charged my colleague and me just $100 each... we went out on the very next flight.
Quoting DocLightning (Reply 23): When NW lost my bags (and a third of the plane's bags) on a LGW-DTW flight, their answer was a dumb look and a "Your bags are missing? Well I don't know where they are!"
OK. Both airlines committed similar errors, although NW's was far bigger. LH recovered by 1) using the intervening 7 hours to detect and begin to work on rectifying the error. 2) Apologizing. 3) Promptly taking action.
NW added insult to injury by failing to notice that a third of a plane's passengers' bags were sitting on the tarmac at LGW. The compounded their error by being rude, confrontational, defensive, and unhelpful.
While I'm sorry for your experience, I'm glad to say that it is in no way typical of NW baggage service. I am a regular NW passenger, and have been for quite a few years. The one time my bags were delayed on NW was an afternoon flight SEA-MSP (left SEA about 4.30, got to MSP about 9.30, if I recall). The NW clerk at the baggage office remarked that the Seattle station seemed to have effed up pretty royally that day, apologized, and promised that the bags would be on the redeye. I picked them up from the airport myself as soon as baggage claim opened the next morning .
Davescj From United States, joined Jun 2007, 1776 posts, RR: 0 Reply 25, posted (2 years 1 week ago) and read 6692 times:
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 15): DL flight segments do not qualify for elite status.
On CO OnePass, DL count for segments, but only in certain fare classes I believe, ditto for NW tickets, even in CO codeshare.
Sounds like unusually bad service from baggage control. I've never had this problem with NW (though I usually fly them only a couple times a year, the baggage makes it, but every time I've been on an A319 family, the plane went mechanical).
Have you thought about AMEX (or similar) baggage insurance? I find it to be comforting to be able to buy whatever I need if my bags are late (esp if I need something for a meeting).
Dave
Can I have a mojito on this flight?
26 TWAmbassador: Looks more like a problem with Pinnacle Airlines and their ground handling at these smaller stations. Reporting it to NW Customer Care may bring light
27 Toering: Kinda the same deal..... My brother's one bag is AWOL after (actually, not sure if it made it on the plane in the first place) a NWA flight MSP-BUF, n
28 Davescj: While believe me I'm sorry this happened, I would advise anyone ever for something like this FEDEX or UPS. I would never risk a bag for something I n
29 Apodino: I think you worry way too much about your elite status. Given the amount you fly, one or two flights on a competitor are not going to do that much da
30 Dtwclipper: Epiloge: NW delivered my bag at about 7p.m. last night. NW cut me a check for nearly double the maximum amount listed on their web site for the replac
31 AusTexFlyer: Actually, you can't accrue CO OnePass elite segments on DL flights in any class, unless they happen to have a CO codeshare flight number. Delta Air L
32 DocLightning: Having grown up in the Detroit area, I've had my fair share of negative and positive experiences with NW. The issue is that NW chose three cities, Mi
33 RW170: Being late for a flight is different than what I'm talking about. In that case, if you have a friendly ticket or gate agent, they will sometimes just
34 AusTexFlyer: Sorry for the slightly off topic nature of this post, but how do you edit posts? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious, but I couldn't find an "Edit
35 Tripleboom: ****Warning: Shameless Plug Alert**** You know, on Frontier you'd only pay $50 to get a confirmed seat day of travel, and if you wanted to go the day
36 Apodino: I don't mean to be mean or anything, but when you post something bad about NW anytime something goes wrong, you are only setting yourself up to be fl
37 YYZYYT: because it easeier to lose one bag off a 747 in LHR, than an RJ in CVG. plus, in the event of cancellations or changes to scheudles when flights are
38 Tb727: Why does it matter what people spend? People charter planes for similar and even shorter flights for more than $3000. We don't lose your bags either.
39 CitrusCritter: That is a natural result of the regional airline system. The regional airlines are hired by the major airlines to do certain flying for them. The tic
40 2175301: Dtwclipper's post illustrates the differences between some business travel, other business travel, and most non-business flying. For some business nee
41 Dtwclipper: Correct, the only thing you see is at the gate. I suggest you look here: http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/elite/benefits.shtml Really? NW only allows 1
42 Apodino: 1 Item plus a personal item. Last time I checked a Laptop counts as a personal item. Thus you are allowed one item in addition to your laptop. I am n
43 Luv2fly: You are correct as I do take both my laptop and a small roller bag and usually gate check the roller bag when on one of the "DREADED" CRJ's!
44 NWAESC: You couldn't be more wrong, but don't let the fact get in you way of telling a good story...By the way, have you seen some of the "high caliber" empl
45 Dtwclipper: Gate checking my bag had been an option in the past before the liquid ban. Without going into details, I need to carry some none Rx items for a skin
46 Dynkrisolo: Then you must be a high maitenance person. I have traveled a week with a 22" rollaboard, and some of my coworkers still think I'm not a light travele
47 Apodino: No they are not subsidizing my Leisure Fares. They are paying my salary, since I work in the Airline business. Actually it is that easy. They have sm
48 Johnboy: good god, i'm shocked at the thinly-disguised vitriol directed at you Dtwclipper. if i didn't know any better, i'd think you were obviously a high-mai
49 FlyASAGuy2005: Well he did say that his clients pays for his tickets. For that matter, if I woned a business and could afford it, i'll fly too. Still have to pay th
50 AirPortugal310: Bingo. In nice terms, who gives a rats ___? My theory is that if airlines offer baggage check, then they should be competent enough to at least do it
51 Apodino: If you have ever read my posts on A.Net, you would know that I am no defender of NW by a longshot. All I am trying to do is make the point that if th
52 Dtwclipper: The sad reality is not the situation that transpired in CVG, but your inability to see the situation for what it is and blame the OP for his actions.
53 CuriousFlyer: It is incredible that NW still exists. I dealt with them twice, on codeshares. I saw the laziest, unhappiest flight attendants I had ever seen. I used
54 Apodino: I am not trying to insult you sir at all, and I ask that you please don't take my posts as such. You have posted a thread to start a complaint agains
55 WindowSeat: No you're not. You pay a premium because you need to have flexibility in your fare. No one is asking you to pay for these higher fares when lower far
56 Davescj: But many carriers could not survive selling only lesiure fares. Yes, the greater the flex, the more you pay. No question. But the reality is, the mor
57 JohnJ: Well, that's just it. Lower fares are not available. I don't so much need flexibility in my fare as I do the ability to buy tickets one or two days b
58 AirPortugal310: You bring up a valid point. The airlines are, as many state, the exception in many cases to the rule where "bad business = lost customers". Cheap far
59 WindowSeat: I agree with what you say Davescj, the profit margins on these fares are higher, but the people who are buying the higher fares are not doing the lei
60 JohnJ: Didn't say I was doing anyone a favor. But on my BDL-ATL Delta flight, which doubtless made money for the airline, I'm sure there was a healthy mix o
61 Davescj: On this, I can completely agree with you. Dave
62 WindowSeat: Glad we're on the same page Nope, not true. The airline makes the $200 fares available because there is demand for those and it considers many factor
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