Northwest Airlines Reviews

Pros

Good benefits and a well run operation.

Cons

Large corporate structure that was not able to make change quickly.

Advice to Senior Management

Utilize the talent of all airline employees involved in the merger. Be respectful of the proud history of Northwest Airlines; don't try and erradicate the Red Tail employees.

Pros

Plenty of opportunity to upgrade skills and transfers to wherever you wanted to work. Time off for "quality of life"issues (swapping days off with other employees) was really good

Cons

I enjoyed my time and opportunities at Northwest....Delta is just a whole different "management animal" and they like to micro-manage everything....and that stops you from becoming an effective employee....

Pros

Employee recognition program - ability to reward employees and also be recognized by supervisors for outstanding performance.
Opportunity - many different areas to develop your career.
Great people who are passionate about what they do.

Cons

Male dominated in flight operations with an older than average workforce made it difficult to maintain a work/life balance.
Salaries were below industry average.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue with employee development.
Establish a formalized mentor program to attain/retain top talent.
Embrace youth, as they are the future of your company.

Pros

Great opportunity for training and to attend customer events at very interesting locations. The job was lots of fun.

Cons

If you like a 70 plus hour work week and always working the weekends then you will love it.

Advice to Senior Management

Be honest with your people regarding the layoffs and future layoffs.

Pros

The people of NWA were like family to me and I enjoyed my time working there for almost 20 years .

Cons

Labor relations were always awful at NWA. Hopefully things will be much better now that that Delta has taken over.

Advice to Senior Management

It does not matter now since Delta has taken over the NWA operation. Hopefully things will be much better now.

Pros

Interesting business domain
Coworkers very nice, cooperative
Smart people in the IT group I worked in

Cons

Financially unstable industry
IT management largely incompetent
Wastes a lot of money on offshoring, gets poor results

Advice to Senior Management

You get what you pay for.

Pros

Strong history and brand; safety culture; "we can do it" attitude of employees.

Cons

History and Brand and People not respected by Delta.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop trying to "get the red out". DL technology is way behind NWA and there does not appear to be a culture of learning from those with something to offer. Asia-Pacific market has been significantly weakened due to DL's lack of attention to service. The "merger" is over - time to fix the people and operating issues.

Pros

- Good people (hardworking yet still very social at lunch and after hours)
- Colleagues and leadership demonstrated intelligence and high levels of competence (I found that lacking at Delta)
- Driven to challenge yourself and grow
- Good mentorship and recognition from superiors

Cons

- Was acquired by Delta

Advice to Senior Management

NW will be remembered as of the best managed legacy carriers.

Pros

Very analytically oriented management - good experience for a young MBA grad coming out of school.

Cons

Good ol' boys network - you HAVE to know someone to move up. Else, there are always the 20 year "analyst' veterans!

Advice to Senior Management

Too bad you decided to sell out!

Pros

Empower all employees from admin assistants to analysts to managers. All input was well received and listened to. Flexible scheduling, easy to balance work and life

Cons

Unstable industry, merger tensions between NWA and DL

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to keep employees involved, informed, and motivated