[kathyann]

Compass/NWA Airlink Flight 2061, 7/17/08 MSP to DFW. Boarding delayed about 20 minutes due to lightning in the area. After sitting in the takeoff queue for more than an hour, plane had to go back to refuel. Passengers not allowed to deplane. Late arrival in DFW resulted in sitting in rush hour traffic on the local freeways. Total delay 4 hours.

Anyone who flies out of MSP knows there are often lines to takeoff (I've sat more than an hour in clear weather) so the takeoff delay should have been taken into account for fuel calculations. Dispatch orders the fuel but the pilot has the responsibility to make sure we have enough gas to safely reach the destination. We could see the planes in line before we left the gate and weather was clearing so there is no excuse for this miscalculation of fuel and severe inconvenience to passengers.

In addition, horrid passengers (e.g., constant passing gas, doused in cologne instead of taking a bath with soap and water, shrieking two-year-old). I have had numerous horrendous experiences with Northwurst Airlines, including flights delayed and cancelled. This is only one more on the list.