New letter from Airtran's Joe Leonard regarding Midwest

[FlyWolf]

http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/948845/000119312507077188/dex99a39.htm

 

[Eagle757shark]

Very interesting letter. This is why I don't understand the Midwest MEC not staying neutral. If this plan was put into effect, post merger all at Midwest would gain substantially. 215 daily flights out of MKE alone, just short of the 245 flights a day currently in Atlanta. 264 new pilot jobs in MKE and 396 new flight attendant jobs. 66 mechanic jobs and so on. Listening to the locals, how could this not benefit the city of MKE? It appears on paper AirTran is putting their cards on the table. Very interesting plan. It will be interesting to see how the MIdwest shareholders vote going forward.

 

[75M]

I thought that was a pretty good letter.

 

[likeitis]

Very interesting letter. This is why I don't understand the Midwest MEC not staying neutral. If this plan was put into effect, post merger all at Midwest would gain substantially. 215 daily flights out of MKE alone, just short of the 245 flights a day currently in Atlanta. 264 new pilot jobs in MKE and 396 new flight attendant jobs. 66 mechanic jobs and so on. Listening to the locals, how could this not benefit the city of MKE? It appears on paper AirTran is putting their cards on the table. Very interesting plan. It will be interesting to see how the MIdwest shareholders vote going forward.

Because it's in the MEH MEC best interest to back MEH. Nothing to lose from that stand. A Neutral stand and MEH wins out and no merger there is poor mojo between the company and ALPA forever. A neutral stand and AAI wins out, what is lost? Eventually the MEH pilots will be combined into the post merger seniority list. What is Joe going to do seek out each individual pilot to make their life hell? I don't see why the AAI pilots take the MEC's stand personal? It has nothing to do with the two pilot groups relationship. It's the MEC looking at the most likely scenarios and seeing which stand will cause the least amount of friction for the group down the road. If this deal does go through the MEC's stand should have no bearing on what happens henceforth. If somehow the roles got reversed I would expect the NPA to back AAI's management. It's the least harmful position to the pilots no matter the result.

Tim laid out the entire business plan to the MEC and they have always in the past been completely unimpressed to say the least. Since Tim has met with the MEC their attitude is completely different. We have our contract negotiations soon enough and if the MEC didn't back our management and our management wins this battle what price are the pilots of MEH going to pay for that?

I'm sure there is some self perservation in ALPA's decision but knowing the MEC it would be negligible.

 

[FlyWolf]

I also think "if its all legit and I think it is since they filed it with the security exchange" its very impressive, 215 flights out of MKE, more jobs and keeping the training center, reservation center and hanger is great. Lets hope for the best.

 

[metroplex]

You guys believe everything joe says. Man, he must have a lucky group of employees.The ME mec would probably support a merger if there is a date of hire integration, with hardly 400 guys it would not have a big impact, vs having 2000 integrate.. Maybe T.H. gave the MEC some inside look what plans they have with Midwest, that will hardly share with the competition.

 

[mnboyev]

yeah... contract RJ service....some insight.... This MEH AAI deal would be good for both companies..... ATL boys will not head up nord... and the MKE folks wont head south..... period.

I used to think they were full of it at AirTran.. 6 yrs ago.. I will tell you this.. If they say they something .. they mean it ... and act on it.. have yet to see smoke and mirrors.. lofty goals that were not attainable.. and crazy growth plans with hair brain planning... We may be cheap.. but 'they' do what they say...... (contract talks aside...of course)

 

[Steeler Fan]

The ME mec would probably support a merger if there is a date of hire integration, with hardly 400 guys it would not have a big impact, vs having 2000 integrate..

Date of hire?

Remind me not to drink soda when I'm reading your posts, because it just shot out of my nose!

Based on initial talks between unions, relative seniority with fences.

If Midwest gets date of hire, your attorney earned every penny.

 

[likeitis]

Date of hire?

Remind me not to drink soda when I'm reading your posts, because it just shot out of my nose!

Based on initial talks between unions, relative seniority with fences.

If Midwest gets date of hire, your attorney earned every penny.

We've lock up the best in the business but no way in hell could he even come close to DOH.

 

[Eagle757shark]

Because it's in the MEH MEC best interest to back MEH. Nothing to lose from that stand. A Neutral stand and MEH wins out and no merger there is poor mojo between the company and ALPA forever. A neutral stand and AAI wins out, what is lost? Eventually the MEH pilots will be combined into the post merger seniority list. What is Joe going to do seek out each individual pilot to make their life hell? I don't see why the AAI pilots take the MEC's stand personal? It has nothing to do with the two pilot groups relationship. It's the MEC looking at the most likely scenarios and seeing which stand will cause the least amount of friction for the group down the road. If this deal does go through the MEC's stand should have no bearing on what happens henceforth. If somehow the roles got reversed I would expect the NPA to back AAI's management. It's the least harmful position to the pilots no matter the result.

Tim laid out the entire business plan to the MEC and they have always in the past been completely unimpressed to say the least. Since Tim has met with the MEC their attitude is completely different. We have our contract negotiations soon enough and if the MEC didn't back our management and our management wins this battle what price are the pilots of MEH going to pay for that?

I'm sure there is some self perservation in ALPA's decision but knowing the MEC it would be negligible.

Sir I asked why not stay neutral? From what Midwest presented to the Security and Exchange, their business plan is based off growing with 50-seat RJs. They will ad 2, again (TWO) MD-80s. AirTran proposes over 50 new 737-700 aircraft that are under FIRM ORDER! I don't know what Midwest promised your MEC, staying neutral makes a big statement to the Midwest management and works to the pilots advantage either way. So your negotiations are coming up soon, do you think because you threw a bone at your management they are going to give you the sky in negotiations? You may have had more bargaining power with your management had you just stayed neutral. (MAKE THEM GIVE YOU SOMETHING FIRST FOR THAT SUPPORT) Either way does not matter to me. Good luck to us all!

 

[CitationLover]

somehow in the back of my mind i am picturing an advertisement with the tagline, "two great airlines, one great future."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YayAONi07s0

yes the letter is very rosy, but leonard is an ex-amr executive. is he planning a caarty for MKE? we will find out, it's above my pay grade (and a very low one at that).

 

[Kharma Police]

You guys believe everything joe says. Man, he must have a lucky group of employees.The ME mec would probably support a merger if there is a date of hire integration, with hardly 400 guys it would not have a big impact, vs having 2000 integrate.. Maybe T.H. gave the MEC some inside look what plans they have with Midwest, that will hardly share with the competition.

Ask for DOH from SkyWest when they buy you.

 

[likeitis]

Sir I asked why not stay neutral? From what Midwest presented to the Security and Exchange, their business plan is based off growing with 50-seat RJs. They will ad 2, again (TWO) MD-80s. AirTran proposes over 50 new 737-700 aircraft that are under FIRM ORDER! I don't know what Midwest promised your MEC, staying neutral makes a big statement to the Midwest management and works to the pilots advantage either way. So your negotiations are coming up soon, do you think because you threw a bone at your management they are going to give you the sky in negotiations? You may have had more bargaining power with your management had you just stayed neutral. (MAKE THEM GIVE YOU SOMETHING FIRST FOR THAT SUPPORT) Either way does not matter to me. Good luck to us all!

Read my statement again, second sentence. I don't understand why a line pilot for FL would care what the MEH MEC thinks. The MEC's opinion is in response to what they know of each companies business plans. I'm sure ALpa's past dealings with Joe, Kolski and the Lorenzo disciples on the board sure doesn't give them a warm fuzzy.

It's not in any way shape or form a statment about either pilot group.

How do you know that our management hasn't given us anything for our support?

 

[CitationLover]

Ask for DOH from SkyWest when they buy you.

get over it. they are fighting a growing major carrier from buying them. they would fight tooth and nail over a regional carrier from buying them. i am sure skywest management wants another ALPA carrier under its belt to further pressure its bread and butter to adopt ALPA.

perhaps the $1.8 billion in debt skywest has should concern you.

 

[Kharma Police]

somehow in the back of my mind i am picturing an advertisement with the tagline, "two great airlines, one great future."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YayAONi07s0

yes the letter is very rosy, but leonard is an ex-amr executive. is he planning a caarty for MKE? we will find out, it's above my pay grade (and a very low one at that).

Very good point, since Joe Leonard worked at AMR over twenty years ago he must think like Carty, Crandall or maybe C.R. Smith.

 

[Kharma Police]

get over it. they are fighting a growing major carrier from buying them. they would fight tooth and nail over a regional carrier from buying them. i am sure skywest management wants another ALPA carrier under its belt to further pressure its bread and butter to adopt ALPA.

perhaps the $1.8 billion in debt skywest has should concern you.

I would be concerned if I was a Midwest pilot and watched the future growth promised by my management go to Skywest.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070410/aqtu089.html?.v=4

 

[Eagle757shark]

Read my statement again, second sentence. I don't understand why a line pilot for FL would care what the MEH MEC thinks. The MEC's opinion is in response to what they know of each companies business plans. I'm sure ALpa's past dealings with Joe, Kolski and the Lorenzo disciples on the board sure doesn't give them a warm fuzzy.

It's not in any way shape or form a statment about either pilot group.

How do you know that our management hasn't given us anything for our support?

OK......It was the Midwest MEC that first said they were neutral and then changed their minds. What changed?
Next, compare the two business plans both filed with the Security and Exchange. If there is some secret game plan they have shared with the Midwest MEC, they may have a bigger problem with the SEC and the shareholders. By the way that last statement you made about your management giving you something, just read their business plan....IT SPEAKS VERY LOUDLY WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED! Based off the facts that your management has filed with the SEC, management has given your flying and growth opportunities to Skywest! (OH...FOR YOUR SUPPORT)

 

[likeitis]

OK......It was the Midwest MEC that first said they were neutral and then changed their minds. What changed?
Next, compare the two business plans both filed with the Security and Exchange. If there is some secret game plan they have shared with the Midwest MEC, they may have a bigger problem with the SEC and the shareholders. By the way that last statement you made about your management giving you something, just read their business plan....IT SPEAKS VERY LOUDLY WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED! Based off the facts that your management has filed with the SEC, management has given your flying and growth opportunities to Skywest! (OH...FOR YOUR SUPPORT)

Ever heard of letters of confidentiality? All the members of the MEC and even the office secretary had to sign the letters. So there is no SEC or shareholder problems.

 

[CitationLover]

I would be concerned if I was a Midwest pilot and watched the future growth promised by my management go to Skywest.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070410/aqtu089.html?.v=4

i am sure they are just as concerned as delta's and united's pilots are about skywest.

 

[Kharma Police]

i am sure they are just as concerned as delta's and united's pilots are about skywest.

Not a good comparison between DAL/UAL and Midwest (or Frontier) in terms of regional jet flying block hours. Like comparing an ant hill to the Sears Tower. Midwest has a much higher percentage compared to DAL/UAL of subsidiary flying.