Hello I apologize for how detailed this is going to be but I am going to paste all this info to other emails so here it goes:

Hello my name is Patricia and this is a report of a recent experience I had flying with Northwest.

My original flight was NW 4736 out of Rockford, June 10
My booking number is
Our flight was cancelled out of Rockford.
The weather in Rockford and Detroit was good. I was never given an adequate reason for cancellation.

We are rescheduled for June 11 Nw 4736
We fly out of Rockford on time arrive in Detroit.
Flight NW 50 is cancelled for mechanical reasons. 9:25

We are rescheduled on June 11 NW 32 9:40 Detroit to London Gatwick with a connecting flight on Air France out of London Heathrow.
We arrive at Gatwick June 12, 10:05 AM, take Gatwick express to London Victoria station, cab to Paddington then Heathrow express to Heathrow for connecting flight.
We arrive for flight AF1671, we are denied boarding because ticket agent in Detroit did not give us boarding passes, we are now at Heathrow at 1:00 PM with no way of getting on our 2:00 flight.

We are still trying to get on Flight AF1671 2:00, with the help of KLM agents and they fixed the agents in Detroits mistake. We then are rescheduled on flight AF 1871 4:00 June 12.

We arrive at CDG June 12, 6:10. We report lost luggage since we already know our original flight has mechanical problems and we will not have any luggage. Our file is our claim numbers are

We are now in Paris one day and 7 hour past our original date.

Monday June 13 no luggage
Tuesday June14 my husband receives his luggage in the afternoon.
Wednesday June 15 I receive my luggage in the afternoon. It is damaged, the front is ripped part off and missing wheel.
June 16 leave for Rockford. NW49, report damaged luggage at CDG then report damaged luggage at Detroit. We are told to report damage luggage at final destination. NW 4735 to Rockford, report damaged luggage there. No file number was given. I was told to bring my luggage back to the airport. Monday June 19.

So as I see it I should be compensated for delayed flight, delayed luggage and damaged luggage. I should receive compensation for the transport between Gatwick and Heathrow. I have my receipts for items of toiletries and clothes and shoes. So sorry this is so long but it really was a nightmare. We did have fun in Paris but wow,I need big compensation if I ever fly NW again!!

----- Original Message -----

Hi pj,

Do you want some suggestions for editing, or just reporting your bad experience?

Funny, ira!

Patricia, I don't think you are going to get it. There are rules and guidelines that apply.

This reminds me of the Delta ski trip thread where the poster absolutely flamed Delta. OP never reported back so I assume that she never received the compensation she felt she was "due". She had refused the Delta offer AND refused to open the luggage that was located. Never undersood that poster or her position. Still think she wanted a free ski wardrobe compliments of Delta.

Can you explain as to why you are due compensation for Gatwick-Heathrow transportation?

BTW, you could have taken the airport connection bus (<b>www.nationalexpress.co.uk</b. A lot cheaper and less hassle. About the same time when compared to your very expensive routing.

Flyertalk is a great resource for problems with airlines, I guess this is better for travel stories. Which I enjoy!! I have got a wealth of info on restaurants and hotels....

Ira that was good!!

I do not want to be flamed, so I posted this particular problem on Fodors which wasn't too smart.
I will get compensation for my luggage and train tickets, and probably some ticket vouchers. My luggage is already being handled by Northwest.
I will get the 125.00 for delayed luggage, 50.00 first day and 25 after that.So for anyone who really wants info airlines woes Flyertalk is awesome!!!
I will still read Fodors, but for now I won't post, give everyone including me!! PJ

I would still like to know why you think you should be compensated for the airport transfer?

You won't be, trust me.

and I'm an old timer on <b>Flyertalk</b> if that means anything.

My friends had never been to london, so we some time to kill. We saw Big Ben, parliament, visited in the london cabbies. I had been to Gatwick once and did not know about the london bus direct to heathrow! Oh well, looks like Northwest is going to come through with our connections anyway.

&lt;We report lost luggage since we already know our original flight has mechanical problems and we will not have any luggage.&gt;

I'm curious how you knew this. Did airport personnel tell you? When a flight is cancelled for whatever reason the luggage can be moved to the flight you are on, or one shortly thereafter.

2nd, was you original flight a Heathrow/Heathrow connection? I'm not clear from your letter. I am assuming it was since you mention compensation for the Gatwick/Heathrow transportation.

Suze, they told us at Detroit to report our luggage missing at CDG. We had 10 min to run from our gate from the original flight to the rescheduled flight to Gatwick.
Our original flight was direct Detroit to CDG.

Perhaps you should make that clear next time. Nowhere in your OP did you state you were re-routed.

Try to re-write your complaint letter before you mail it.

Good luck!

Thanks AA, I will rewrite it. Plus northwest has all the info on their computers too. I know it makes real dry reading with all the numbers etc.

Oh, thank you for the clarification.

I'm still confused as to how your luggage is &quot;lost&quot; before you even leave your original airport... but guess that's neither here nor there.

This all makes more sense understanding you were originally ticketed for a direct into Paris.

Patricia: I do understand your frustration. But PLEASE take this bit of advice as trying to help and not trying to insult you.

You REALLY need to have someone else help you re-write your letter. It is very confusing. Even if NW had all the information in their computers, what you are talking about/asking for is not at all clear. And with the gramatical errors and unfinished sentences, they may not take it seriously.

Writing is not every one's strong suit, so if you want a better chance of a good solution, get some help composing your letter.

I do hope you'll post and let us know how this all works out for you.

If there's any lessons we can learn from your mishaps. Or tips for dealing with a similar situation in the future.

I've just skimmed this post.... but.. my husband and I were talking just this afternoon about our HORRIBLE experience on Northwest in Sept. 2001.Won't bore you with details but I would never fly that airline voluntarily.. -

Any NW baggage agent will tell you that the Amsterdam baggage system is hell on suitcases. Mine got chewed up badly a while back and the refund was uncontested and on the spot, along with the exasperation with AMS.