I guess Wednesday's events at MSP showed us how good NW pilots are... ya think?

I work out of this airport. I won't guess as to why this happened. But I've read some things that some of these posters haven't. Some facts: the normal South complex landing runway is 27L (unless you piss off approach and get 28, ha ha). Delta 60 was cleared to land on 27R. The sidestep is usually given by Tower once you are close to the field (say inside of 7 miles). The approach lights were on for the active landing runway - 27L. The approach lights were not on for 27R. The runway lights were on for both 27L/R (normal configuration). The ILS for 27R was not on. If you sidestep from 27L to 27R the 27R runway threshold is 3000' closer to you based on airport layout. If you were on glidepath inside the Final Approach Fix for runway 27L when you got the approval to sidestep, you will now be above glidepath for 27R. Additionally, the closer to landing you were when you got the clearance to sidestep, the higher above glidepath you will be for landing on 27R. The final fact: this was a visual manuver, if the ILS for 27R was not on, an instrument approach could not have been flown...no autopilot or autoland will help if the equiptment is not on.

As of today, I have not noticed any visual illusions in night, VMC on approach to ATL 27L, but you can be sure I will be looking real close next time and any sidestep clearance I receive will get a double check from me and the pilot flying next to me. We can choose to learn from other's experiences or just spend our time complaining and guessing. Fly safe.

Doug Steenland: This couldn't happen to a NWA pilot? I guess you haven't looked at their safety record. Delta's management is top notch.
You are pathetic, since you cannot even spell the word pathetic!

Hey J-BONE, there were no sequenced flashers on as this is a takeoff runway and not used as a landing runway in ATL. The taxiway lights were brighter than the runway lights also,

Actualy he over shot a landing on I85

First of all the name Delta needs another tax break for these actions.Delta raises passenger fees,cuts services and flies the heck out of their pilots.BE SAFE and fly another bailout carrier.

There is an ILS on 27R. Anybody bother to program and follow it? I would also add that runway lights are white (with white centerline lights), taxiway lights are blue.

No excuse, other than a fire on board, for this aircraft to land on a taxiway.
Follow up story: Delta hires 2 new pilots. Or, fired pilots now working as parking attendents at six flags

This is taking the old aviation adage of "any landing you walk, crawl, or swim away from is a good" a little too far.

It's pitch dark at 0600 EDT here in ATL. Did neither pilot look at the lights on the active runway????

u mean Sanford.....lol