Wisconsin loves Midwest Airlines

[FlyWolf]

http://www.wilovesmidwestairlines.com/index.html

Wow, didn't think people will go that far to show their support for Midwest.

 

[Taildragon]

OMG, this is rediculous. These people are crazy. All for cookies and a place to sit their fat a**, wow get a life.

 

[STL717]

Registrant:
Four Summits Web Services
411 Island View Court
Dousman, Wisconsin 53118
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: WILOVESMIDWESTAIRLINES.COM
Created on: 18-Dec-06
Expires on: 19-Dec-07
Last Updated on:

Administrative Contact:
Davis, Stephen
Four Summits Web Services
411 Island View Court
Dousman, Wisconsin 53118
United States
(262) 965-3516 Fax --

Technical Contact:
Davis, Stephen
Four Summits Web Services
411 Island View Court
Dousman, Wisconsin 53118
United States
(262) 965-3516 Fax --

Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.MICFO.COM
NS2.MICFO.COM

 

[NuGuy]

Heyas,

You guys are missing the point about the mid-west. People here are VERY protective of "their" institutions, and are generally suspicious of outsiders.

If you go to "The Cities", you will find "The U" (as in the University of Minnesota). They are a fairly self-centered lot, and will wonder out loud in the middle of a blizzard why ANYONE would want to live anywhere else. No, they're serious. Milwalkee is the same, exact way.

Air Tran will find it tough going if they follow through with this. While people in ATL or TPA will flock to the lowest fare, the people of Wisconsin will take Air Tran's uninvited barging in quite personally, and will probably book away to NWA out of spite.

Nu

 

[MarineGrunt]

Heyas,

You guys are missing the point about the mid-west. People here are VERY protective of "their" institutions, and are generally suspicious of outsiders.

If you go to "The Cities", you will find "The U" (as in the University of Minnesota). They are a fairly self-centered lot, and will wonder out loud in the middle of a blizzard why ANYONE would want to live anywhere else. No, they're serious. Milwalkee is the same, exact way.

Air Tran will find it tough going if they follow through with this. While people in ATL or TPA will flock to the lowest fare, the people of Wisconsin will take Air Tran's uninvited barging in quite personally, and will probably book away to NWA out of spite.

Nu

Spot on. If AirTran comes to town, they will lose BIG to NWA in MKE.

 

[NuGuy]

Spot on. If AirTran comes to town, they will lose BIG to NWA in MKE.

Heyas MG,

Yup. The way I look at it is like the Packers versus the Vikings. Huge rivalry, BUT, if one or the other goes to the superbowl, you can bet people in Minnesota will root for Green Bay rather than the other team.

Sort of "they may be SOBs, but they're OUR SOBs". NWA has been flying into MKE since 1926, so it's safe to say where people will go. Every green and white 'a' they see fly over will be another twist of the knife.

Nu

 

[runwayjockey]

Talk to anyone who flies frequently out of MKE and they will tell you that YX has a superior product. It's as simple as that guys!

 

[EX_CV580FR8Dawg]

Spot on. If AirTran comes to town, they will lose BIG to NWA in MKE.

I think AirTran is definitely underestimating Milwaukeans and this wacky state by a long shot.

 

[Taildragon]

I think you are wrong about, most miltucky passengers. I honestly think that the dollar is king and yes the "hardcore miltucky pass" will be lost, however the walmart passengers will make up for them in numbers. (sad but true)

 

[NuGuy]

I think you are wrong about, most miltucky passengers. I honestly think that the dollar is king and yes the "hardcore miltucky pass" will be lost, however the walmart passengers will make up for them in numbers. (sad but true)

In any other part of the country, you would be %100 correct, but upper midwest people are a finicky bunch with NO sense of humor...quiet and soft spoken they might be, HOWEVER, they can carry a grudge for a long, long time.

Nu

 

[scoreboard]

The same exact thought was mentioned when SWA came to DEN, they said we would have our arse handed to us by hardcore United and Frontier followers. We are solidly on the way to dominating C concourse.

Airtran will do great.

 

[runwayjockey]

I think you are wrong about, most miltucky passengers. I honestly think that the dollar is king and yes the "hardcore miltucky pass" will be lost, however the walmart passengers will make up for them in numbers. (sad but true)

If this were the case, then why have we not seen more YX customers flying on AII or other carriers with lower prices?

The same argument could be made for YX competing with WN in MCI. Why don't we see market share slipping there as well? Face it, they have a good product and people are willing to pay a small premium for it!

 

[Taildragon]

What I'm saying, is when Midwest is GONE, (as in part of Airtranny) its not going to matter because people are still going to have to fly, out of MKE.
As far as WN is concerned, tell me what cities we compete in out of MCI? I honestly don't know.

 

[Capt. Over]

great service?

Well this "sweetheart" deal we just signed with Skywest is enough to make me ill. Talk about the exact opposite of great service....they'll wish they were riding in our 5 across -80's when they get crammed in those P.O.S. CRJ's for a couple hours. So our "great" business plan for growth is now being driven by the one market and airplanes that don't make any profit or business sense to run....not to mention they are being run by an outside company. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be that thrilled if Skyway was going to fly the planes...but to whore out the flying to the "cheaper" option really sucks for us and our guys and gals at Skyway. And like I said, 50 seaters don't make any sense any more anyway...we've got 717's for that!

So, in summary, great service our loyal pax are so interested in keeping....not as much as you might think. Hell, I'd rather ride a 5 across 717 or 6 across 737 than ride a CRJ from MKE to ATL!

I think some people in MKE need to realize the days of big fancy seats and steak dinners are over!

 

[lowecur]

Makes you wonder why they hired Goldman Sachs, doesn't it? They said it's to help them with their "growth strategy." Now think about that a minute. You think Goldman could maybe help them acquire AirTran? It could be done with a hostile takeover aimed at AirTran with Midwest being the surviving airline. Private equity would be very interested in listening to a proposition where the two combine into a Midwest clone with Midwest mgt running the show.

Joe Bob better start sending their resumes to Monster.

imp:​

 

[FlyWolf]

Well this "sweetheart" deal we just signed with Skywest is enough to make me ill. Talk about the exact opposite of great service....they'll wish they were riding in our 5 across -80's when they get crammed in those P.O.S. CRJ's for a couple hours. So our "great" business plan for growth is now being driven by the one market and airplanes that don't make any profit or business sense to run....not to mention they are being run by an outside company. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be that thrilled if Skyway was going to fly the planes...but to whore out the flying to the "cheaper" option really sucks for us and our guys and gals at Skyway. And like I said, 50 seaters don't make any sense any more anyway...we've got 717's for that!

So, in summary, great service our loyal pax are so interested in keeping....not as much as you might think. Hell, I'd rather ride a 5 across 717 or 6 across 737 than ride a CRJ from MKE to ATL!

I think some people in MKE need to realize the days of big fancy seats and steak dinners are over!

Totally agree with you Capt Over, I am not thrilled with the Skywest deal either, I wonder what our loyal supportive customers think after a 2 hour flight in the RJ, All I hope for now is that we continue hiring Skyway guys who are doing their best for this company.

 

[Citrus531]

I never understood why Midwest's "Superior product" hasn't produced better results? I.E.-Growth,$$, more routes, airplanes, etc....has it strictly been management? I used to fly them a ton and really enjoyed it....I thought the name change 3 years ago and 717's would have brought a new era to Midwest.

36 jets with 2 "used ones" on order and now the Skywest deal...yet our "basic product" has put 126 jets in the fleet with 53 cities and we're just 4 yrs removed from the DC-9-32 days.

 

[Taildragon]

One word, Timmy.

 

[Eagle757shark]

Once again some of you think this potential merger is personal. It is business and when you look at the numbers and facts it is a potential blockbuster of a deal for the city of MKE and the state. When you consider MKE has a population of 2.3 million people, Charlotte 2.2 million, CVG 2.1 million, Kansas City 1.9 million, and Memphis 1.2 million it only makes sense what AirTran is looking to create. For a city of its population, MKE is greatly under served and AirTran would create more jobs and bring more revenue and opportunities to the City and State. All of the cities mentioned above except one have a major airline hub in place in them and AirTran sees an opportunity in MKE. If this merger is allowed to go forward, it would eventually in the long term be a great deal for all involved with the orders of aircraft AirTran has on the books (not 50 seat RJs either) and the new markets AirTran would like to bring to the city of MKE and the state. When the people realize the potential economic impact, that support will become real toward the new AirTran Airways. Up to 65 firm orders of 737-700 brand new aircraft and a cost structure minus fuel lower than any other major airline. NOT 15 to 25 50 seat RJs with a cost structure at 60 dollars a barel of fuel that is off the charts and limits the city growth opportunities. Think business NOT personal!

 

[Capt. Over]

Amen Eagle...

....that's a great post and exactly what some of these "local yocals" need to figure out! I just hope someone can enlighten them.

 

[Lear70]

If this merger is allowed to go forward, it would eventually in the long term be a great deal for all involved

Not "ALL" involved.

Some employees in each group will take it in the shorts. Period. It will probably be the airTran F/O's.

There's already several guys who are just finishing first year F/O who have put their bid in to the 737 in anticipation of fences and protecting their relative seniority. That requires a 2 year seat lock, and those guys are willing to do that knowing we'll get hosed.

... with the orders of aircraft AirTran has on the books (not 50 seat RJs either)

There's not that many left to take delivery of. Of the aircraft that are left on the books to take delivery of plus attrition of our age 60 guys (assuming the age doesn't get raised in the next year or 2), that's only 400 or so upgrade slots. After that, the music stops. I'm just BARELY senior enough NOW to hold one of those bottom slots. Integrate your guys and I can kiss my upgrade goodbye.

Think business NOT personal!

Oh, I'm thinking business. Make no mistake about it.

BUSINESS is my career expectations (upgrade) that I hired in under.

BUSINESS is what kind of income I expected to have over my entire career when I decided on coming here.

BUSINESS is the FACT that our F/O pay here is just about the lowest in the industry among major carriers. I was making more as an RJ Captain and F/O pay here doesn't EVER catch up with where I was at one of the worst-compensated regionals. That's just sad.

BUSINESS is the FACT that our MEC put out a DVD with our proposed pay rates for the NEW contract and they're only a few dollars more than we currently make. The VAST MAJORITY of the proposed gains go to the Captains.

BUSINESS is, if this goes through and the deal is anything other than a staple for the Midwest guys to the bottom of our list, I will be leaving here as quickly as I can for another carrier. (absolutely NO offense intended to the great pilots at Midwest, I am just looking out for my own family with the decision I made to come here).

So, Mr. "Business" decision, how do you answer THAT with all your sweeping "This will be great for EVERYONE involved"? I'm not interested in the greater market position or income potential for the airline's shareholders if I'm at the bottom of the barrel for another decade making $50-60k a year.

 

[pilotmyf]

Spot on. If AirTran comes to town, they will lose BIG to NWA in MKE.

How???

 

[pilotmyf]

All I hope for now is that we continue hiring Skyway guys who are doing their best for this company.

Thanks, you think some others might see that too!!!

 

[TWA Dude]

BUSINESS is, if this goes through and the deal is anything other than a staple for the Midwest guys to the bottom of our list, I will be leaving here as quickly as I can for another carrier.

Better sharpen-up that resume, then. Wouldn't it be ironic if your new carrier then merges? Mergers suck for most employees and that indeed is business.

break

I too would miss losing the home-town airline but from an objective point of view I think MKE would benefit from AirTran's ability to grow. MKE also enjoys a large number of North Suburban Chicagoans willing to drive a few extra minutes to avoid the hassle of ORD. Plenty of room for growth.

 

[fam62c]

Pilots not cheaper.

Well this "sweetheart" deal we just signed with Skywest is enough to make me ill. Talk about the exact opposite of great service....they'll wish they were riding in our 5 across -80's when they get crammed in those P.O.S. CRJ's for a couple hours. So our "great" business plan for growth is now being driven by the one market and airplanes that don't make any profit or business sense to run....not to mention they are being run by an outside company. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be that thrilled if Skyway was going to fly the planes...but to whore out the flying to the "cheaper" option really sucks for us and our guys and gals at Skyway. And like I said, 50 seaters don't make any sense any more anyway...we've got 717's for that!

So, in summary, great service our loyal pax are so interested in keeping....not as much as you might think. Hell, I'd rather ride a 5 across 717 or 6 across 737 than ride a CRJ from MKE to ATL!

I think some people in MKE need to realize the days of big fancy seats and steak dinners are over!

The wierd part of this is that Skywest pilots and other employees are probably more expensive then Skyway. If you look at the Skyway contract and the 50-seat rates that are in it, coupled with Skyway's low per-diem the Skyway pilots (and other employees I'm guessing) would have been cheaper. I know that employee cost is just part of it but how often do you hear of a pilot group being passed over for a subcontractor with more expensive labor? MEH management is just lazy and uncomfortable with any risk, they did the easiest thing possible and left themselves an "out" in 5 years because they don't have confidence in their own abilities. MEH will go nowhere if left on it's own, they spend all of their time worrying aout the product (which is important don't get me wrong) and no effort on growth and strategic development. They have spent 22 years to get to 38 mainline planes and a shrinking regional carrier that they underutilize.

The community loves the product and in their eyes Midwest can do no wrong, even when they DO wrong. Me, I'm for Airtran, I believe that in the long run it's the best thing and the customers will still fly the planes as long as the non-stops remain.

 

[Lear70]

Better sharpen-up that resume, then. Wouldn't it be ironic if your new carrier then merges? Mergers suck for most employees and that indeed is business.

Applications already resubmitted and updated last week just about everywhere that is hiring and is better than a lateral move.

Yeah, it would suck to go to, say, Continental, then merge with United or something goofy like that. Don't imagine they would furlough anyone, but I would DEFINITELY be an F/O for a long time.

It's not the F/O thing that bugs me, it's the pay scale. 1st year sucks everywhere, but any of the Legacies, FDX/UPS, and SWA have 2nd year pay that's equivalent to our 5th year F/O's (or a lot better in the cargo world), 3rd year tops our year 9 F/O pay by a LARGE margin.

Truly sad,,, I had let all my other applications lapse once I got here, planning on this as a career move.

Could still happen, hope the Midwest shareholders like their hometown airline more than they like the money. Our MEC members have already shown (repeatedly) that they don't give a rat's a*s about the junior pilots (read F/O's) at this airline, won't expect any protection from them in an integration situation.

 

[Capt. Over]

The wierd part of this is that Skywest pilots and other employees are probably more expensive then Skyway. If you look at the Skyway contract and the 50-seat rates that are in it, coupled with Skyway's low per-diem the Skyway pilots (and other employees I'm guessing) would have been cheaper. I know that employee cost is just part of it but how often do you hear of a pilot group being passed over for a subcontractor with more expensive labor? MEH management is just lazy and uncomfortable with any risk, they did the easiest thing possible and left themselves an "out" in 5 years because they don't have confidence in their own abilities. MEH will go nowhere if left on it's own, they spend all of their time worrying aout the product (which is important don't get me wrong) and no effort on growth and strategic development. They have spent 22 years to get to 38 mainline planes and a shrinking regional carrier that they underutilize.

The community loves the product and in their eyes Midwest can do no wrong, even when they DO wrong. Me, I'm for Airtran, I believe that in the long run it's the best thing and the customers will still fly the planes as long as the non-stops remain.

Bravo fam62C....quite possibly the most accurately stated post I've ever read on here. I'm not on here that often, but your response was dead on as far as what our management is like and how they think. Risk...never heard of it. If the community new what COULD be done with MKE and not just about our "big" move for a couple -80's for our growth plan they would be shocked. Just a lot of country bumpkins that just see what Carol Skornicka tells them to see, which I hope changes with the next AAI offer. I'm guessing you work for us as well, but if you don't you sure know how Tim and the clones run this place!

 

[FlyWolf]

The wierd part of this is that Skywest pilots and other employees are probably more expensive then Skyway. If you look at the Skyway contract and the 50-seat rates that are in it, coupled with Skyway's low per-diem the Skyway pilots (and other employees I'm guessing) would have been cheaper. I know that employee cost is just part of it but how often do you hear of a pilot group being passed over for a subcontractor with more expensive labor? MEH management is just lazy and uncomfortable with any risk, they did the easiest thing possible and left themselves an "out" in 5 years because they don't have confidence in their own abilities. MEH will go nowhere if left on it's own, they spend all of their time worrying aout the product (which is important don't get me wrong) and no effort on growth and strategic development. They have spent 22 years to get to 38 mainline planes and a shrinking regional carrier that they underutilize.

The community loves the product and in their eyes Midwest can do no wrong, even when they DO wrong. Me, I'm for Airtran, I believe that in the long run it's the best thing and the customers will still fly the planes as long as the non-stops remain.

Don't know could it be the "corporate mentality kc aviation syndrome" ?

 

[crashpad]

I visited family courtesy of Midwest this Christmas and was reminded why their product is unique: First Class Service from start to finish.

 

[Saluki Dawg]

With the title of this thread, I thought you were telling us to go out and buy Midwest Stock, like in the movie Wallstreet or something. How does that line go? "Blue Horseshoe, Loves Bluestar Airlines". Looks like Air Wisconsin is secretly making a hostile bid for Midwest to me. You guys in ATL better wake up or this airline is gonna get bought right out from under you.