If you are referring to MSP, I had a significant issue there a couple of weeks ago and it took 45 minutes to get in to a gate. Our gate was occupied so they said they found another and that it should be pushing any moment as the jet way was off of it, 20+ minutes go by sitting on the taxiway and we finally were given a different gate (because we found out later that aircraft at the gate wasn't pushing, it was RON :rolleyes:), when we got a gate nobody wanted to park us. 15 minutes later a crew came out, we parked and they left without opening any cargo door. Just gone. The Captain complained to everyone we could on the radio and in the gate house but to no avail.

But like you said KC10, but DALS has JFK and when the DALN crews start flying in there they'll realize why we want the place leveled. As to MSP I think it has something to do with the Delta-S metal only being allowed to fly out of a few gates in MSP. We're one airline, open up MSP. DTW has been really good so far and of course has the nicest terminal of all although I think DTW ground has an attitude problem (even back in my Coex days we'd say that). MEM I guess is like MSP but I haven't experienced any problems.

Actually, I've visited DTW and MEM. I've been to MEM eight times now and have been to DTW four times.

No kidding, each time, each gate, we had to wait for the ground crew. Once, while the aircraft was 90 degrees to the gate in DTW, the ground crew were dancing, moonwalk and all. NO, I'm not joking. The passengers could see it. Ridiculous. Our radio calls to DAL and NWA ops were ignored. The ramp controller told us that they don't have anything to do with ground crews. Shrug. Then about 5 minutes after they were done dancing, then walked without a purpose to their stations, the wands went up, and we taxiied to the gate. :(

The gates the south crews park at in MSP are so jacked up. The rampers and such seem to want to ensure you know you're an outsider. Reminded me of working for Pinnacle- except now I don't have to sit there and take their crap.

Welcome to the issues of the under-wing world.

Hmm, well I haven't really flown domestic for two years now. DTW doesn't suprise me, MEM does, they were always trying to prove that they should still be around. I suspect "union elections issues" being the problem????

It's union issues, actually. Who's allowed to touch what....

Today at MEM, we were finished loading the paxs at 10 minutes prior to pushback. The ground crew was done loading bags as they were all standing in front of the aircraft joking around.

The gate agent told us to push, but we couldn't because we had not been sent the AWABs (yes, the evil AWABs).

10 minutes folks.

Don't know what the meltdown was, but it wasn't until 2 minutes past pushback that we got our numbers. The gate agents made phone calls and kept telling us "they're saying they've sent the numbers". The ACARs was working just fine.

So we were late to the gate, and late leaving.

Sounds like someone's not happy.

Sounds to me like we've got some folks who don't value their jobs in a very tough economy. CA's should be singing to ops when crap like this goes on. I can't imagine any supervisor would condone behavior like this. Sure, DAL has good bases and bad when it comes to ground ops. But, we're all wearing the same label these days and unprofessional behavior should be called out. It sure would if it were the flight crews doing it.

Heyas,

Just to summarize for the late comers:

1) The JAL deal may or may not be official.

2) If it DOES become official, then we may or may not see increased flying to/from asia.

3) If the flying does happen, it may or may not be diluted by our Skyteam partners.

4) We may or may not acquire some of JALs birds, which may include an assortment of 777s, 747s and MD-90s.

5) We ARE getting a new 330 sim. Whether this means new/used 330s as part of the deal is maybe/maybe not.

6) There may or may not be an addition 744 sim coming. This may or may not indicate additional airframes.

7) If our JAL bid is successful, our west coast feed via ALK will almost certainly be in jeopardy (Yes Alex, I'll take "Bad Outsourcing Strategy" for $500 please) by purchase by one of our competitors that sounds like aimar or Mousewest.

8) There is currently a SLI dispute going to arbitration.

9) There is still no viable 100 seat plan, other than to buy uber cheap MD-90s.

10) Gutter is a tool.

Nu

When that is the issue I ACARS a MSG to the dispatcher. Works every time. ;)