End of an Era

I know it's been in the works for months, but the swapping out of the gate signage at Northwest hubs certainly brings us a step closer to the day the airline is just another footnote in aviation history.

The transition appeared fairly complete in the parts of the Memphis airport I walked earlier this week. And this was the scene (click to enlarge) as the last few flights left Minneapolis on a night earlier this month. Workers prying the letters off the gate backdrops and replacing them with shiny Delta press-on stickers.

Next up (I'm told), the first new uniforms for Northwest's Flight Attendants in years...

I'm sure they're thrilled.