FLYYUL From Italy, joined Jun 2000, 4930 posts, RR: 53 Posted (9 years 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2717 times:
Dorval Airport Saturday Nov15th 210pm..
Checkin at the NW counter via the SSD devices, I get my customs form complete and head over to customs. No problems there, I leave my golf clubs at the oversize belt and head over to gate no.84 where I will soon be leaving for DTW. TBnew(the new YUL terminal) was quite busy with AC flights to MCO, LGA, and FLL that seemed very busy, as long as a Green Smiley faced JetsGo going out to SFB.
YULDTW NW1101 N781NC DC9-50
Got my first class 03A. There were 40 pax on board, 4 up in First (2 of which were non-revs such as myself). We followed an AA F100 to the Delta taxiway (I was listening to my scanner). THe AA F100 stopped and the guys at ground where trying to ask him why... no response from AA so we taxied on 06R/24L and then did a 180back for 24L departure. We went ahead and rotated about 10 seconds later, where at 3000 ft we had our Standard procedure turn to intercept the Ottawa VOR on course.
Flight was uneventful except for the fact that we passed right over YYZ, some nice birds to see from up high. Of course those 5 runways are absolutely all needed right?
We landed at DTW at 540p on runway 21L. A quick exit at Foxtrot over to gate A27.
DTW Airport (3 hour lay-over).
I went to McDonalds since I was craving a chicken burger. My options were
a.) caesar salad at Chili's
b.) Terrible sushi at Musashi
c.) Burger King
d.) Rio Wraps.
DTW was nice, not that busy. Saw 2 A330's, one heading over to AMS NW68, and NW52 over to FRA. No 747's to be found unfortunately. I sat by the crazy water fountain there and read people and US magazines.
Headed over to gate A10 for the flight to MIA.
DTWMIA NW993 N338NW A320-200
Got another first class seat in 03D. We pushed about 5 early and taxied over to runway 22L. About 3 planes ahead of us for take-off (9pm is an important take-off bank at DTW), we taxied by two DC10's, one going to CDG (NW50) and LGW (NW32).
Take-off was obnoxious because if you end up before the engine, you hear the really annoying buzzing sound of the CFM engine. It'll drive you crazy until the cabin becomes pressurized and the sound drifts away. I dont like the A320 because you really feel the adjustment of power in that aircraft, especially when you takeoff with flaps, then when the flaps are up and the engines slightly retracted, you can really feel it in your gut... not as smooth as the B737-800 or B757-200.. but hey, its a Scairbus!
Flight was smooth for the most part, service was standard.
We had a Heatt arrival in MIA, which means we came over the Florida eastern coastline followed it all the way to about just south of FLL, where we turned downwind, then a left base turn for runway 09R at MIA... taxiied off to gate G7.
In case you didnt know already, MIA is as 3rd world as it gets. Not the best airport in my opinion, but I like the variety of traffic.
Notables include IB A320, AF A320, AA 777's, and Martinair 767-300.
Overall enjoyable but long. I was alone, not with the girlfriend who usually makes the trip all that much more enjoyable
Jeffrey1970 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 1335 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (9 years 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2641 times:
What do you mean MIA is as third world as it gets? I have not been to MIA in many many years.
Cs03 From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 408 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 years 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2119 times:
KMIA As "third world"? What about AA s new terminal? It is a hub for people going to Latin and South America! It may be a mess now, but it is being rebuilt.
SR 103 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1702 posts, RR: 43 Reply 6, posted (9 years 5 months 4 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 2081 times:
I was actually at Detroit the same time as you. I was flying Raleigh/Durham -Detroit - Orlando. If you were sitting next to the water fountain, I must have actually seen you.
I agree, Concourse G (which NW/CO/KL/FL/AC use) in Miami is awful, but that is not enough justification to call the entire airport "3rd world." There are plenty of other areas at Miami that are very nice.
The issues you describe with the A320 are surprising. I really don't have a preference for either Boeing or Airbus, but I have to say, my experiences with the Airbus's have been much better.
On another note, any reason you did not fly Continental? I realize you are a Northwest employee but you sound very bitter towards them. I as a Platinum World Perks member really do not understand why, but each to his own. I have heard you get similar benefits if you fly NW or CO Would Continental not be a better alternative for you?
VonRichtofen From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 4621 posts, RR: 40 Reply 7, posted (9 years 5 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 2061 times:
Hi Mark,
Were you flyin' around just for the hell of it? lol
I agree with you on the A320 whine sound from forward of the engine. I experienced this on a NW A320 from NRT-KHH last year. I was sitting almost inline with the leading edge of the engine nacelle. Drove me nuts at first because I had already been travelling for a good 22 hours or so by this time and then to have "WHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" ring through my head wasn't nice. Luckily it stopped after awhile. As for feeling power adjustments etc. in your gut...well I like that
SR 103 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1702 posts, RR: 43 Reply 9, posted (9 years 5 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 1993 times:
FLYYUL,
Sorry if I confused you with the last post, I should have explained it better. I meant you seem bitter towards Northwest, not Continental. Therefore I was asking why you did not fly Continental instead of Northwest. From what I hear they offer very similar benefits for each others employees. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me. I am in no way trying to start anything, I am just asking, that's all. Thanks.
SR 103 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1702 posts, RR: 43 Reply 11, posted (9 years 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 1973 times:
But the American airlines in general are far from "world-class"
I could not agree with you more! I guess I have learnt to accept that fact that when I board a US airline, I should not expect CX or BA.
I got a question for you though. You say you have flown Northwest too many times. I was wondering what your opinions are of Northwest today, compared to Northwest three or four years ago?
I started flying Northwest back in January of 2002 simply because of their connection with KLM. In the beginning of 2002, Northwest truly offered some of the worst flights I have ever had the mispleasure of being on. Every flight I have taken since then has started to get better. This July I did MSP-AMS just so that I could experience the 747-200 one last time. I have to say the service on that flight could easily have rivaled some of the European carriers. I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not on KLM. Do you think Northwest is improving from the airline it was or are things the same or worse?
Continental From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 5476 posts, RR: 21 Reply 12, posted (9 years 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1950 times:
Nice report! I've never flown into MIA, is it as oldish looking like LGA??
Airlinelover From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 5580 posts, RR: 27 Reply 13, posted (9 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1909 times:
The Airbus products are like that with the engine buzzing for some reason.. The A320 and A321 (G-BXKA/BXKC and D-ALAO respectively) I used to work on were awful for that.. First time I heard it I was like huh???? But you get used to it after a while..
Glad you enjoyed the trip!!
Chris
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From Italy, joined Jun 2000, 4930 posts, 
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