Is this the end of Midwest?

[Erlanger]

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/46496157.html

 

[Propsync]

Who knows. The end game being played is what will happen with Midwest's certificate. Until that is decided, Republic will end up flying all of the Midwest stuff. Can't even argue scope, as ALPA lost that fight. As long as 'Connect' is on the side, no scope is broken. My guess is Midwest will just be a virtual airline. Then, Midwest can shut down the flight ops/dispatch/mx/etc.

A guess on the cert. is that Republic will get it, put the 190's on it. Maybe Delta will get it and do another Compass with it. Who knows. My money is on it being a shady deal and screwing more pilots in the process.

 

[Jetjockey]

Tim did it his way.................


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlKJ-0bnxdA

 

[mynameisjim]

So the News finally caught wind of what most online web board visitors have known for a while now. But Midwest is still staying quiet, as they have to. You can't go around saying you have no fleet in 6 months and no plan to replace it.

I still don't understand why Midwest pilots get up and go to work every day. Concessionary pay til the last day I guess.

 

[samballs]

Midwest is pretty much a travel agent now a days

 

[flyboyike]

My guess is Midwest will just be a virtual airline.

I think that's probably true of some other carriers as well, just not as soon.

 

[HA25]

this might be a better thread for this post... (taken from LCC forums)..


My friend forwarded this to me regarding an email he sent Midwest Express after I told him of their plan to farm out more flying to RAH. His email to them is at the bottom, their response, right below.

----------------------


Response (Midwest Airlines) - 05/30/2009 09:26 PM
Dear Mr. XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting Midwest Airlines Online Customer Service.

We are sorry to hear that you are considering not flying on Midwest Airlines in the future due to our agreement with Republic Airways. We appreciate the opportunity to explain our agreement further.

First, our agreement with Republic is not new. Last September, Republic agreed to provide Midwest Airlines with needed capital and we agreed to hire Republic to operate many of our routes under the Midwest Connect banner. Those flights have been successfully operated by Republic, using their Embraer 170 jets. These are full sized aircraft which are extremely fuel efficient. This change in aircraft type was due in part to the worsening fuel costs and economic climate that all airlines were and are experiencing.

At that time, Midwest Airlines agreed to begin the process of adding the Embraer aircraft to our operating certificate. Until that process was completed, we were not allowed to use our own crews. Once the process was completed, we would be able to re-hire many of our furloughed pilots and flight attendants to operate the Republic aircraft but only if they agreed to renegotiate their contracts. In March, 2009, it was announced that Midwest Airlines was suspending its application to add the Embraer aircraft to its certificate after the unions refusal to negotiate.

Lastly, the article you read recently was about the addition of 2 Embraer 190's which will have the ability to reach the West Coast nonstop. These aircraft are also full sized jets with excellent fuel efficiency. They are not "Regional Jets".

The designation of "Regional Airline" is based on many factors including number of employees, number of flights, number of passengers and amount of revenue. It does not define how much their pilots are paid. Rather, pilots salaries are more likely to be based on the type of aircraft they fly and the number of hours they have accrued on that type of aircraft.

We are committed to providing our customers with “the best care in the air” and on the ground. Our employees work hard to provide that quality service and our commitment to continuing that is not changing. The changes we have had to make are some of the many ways we are adapting to the current economic situation. We hope you can appreciate our commitment to the success of Midwest Airlines for our customers and employees.

Your loyal support is very important to us. We hope that you continue to choose us for your travel needs for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Linda
Customer Service
Midwest Airlines






Customer (Jon XXXXXXX) - 05/21/2009 08:11 PM
I just read a wsj article that says you're going to be farming out flying to a company called republic airlines.. they're a "regional" airline, one of those that pays their pilots $20000/yr..

what are you thinking? you've just lost a customer.

Auto-Response - 05/21/2009 08:11 PM
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[hockeypilot44]

So the News finally caught wind of what most online web board visitors have known for a while now. But Midwest is still staying quiet, as they have to. You can't go around saying you have no fleet in 6 months and no plan to replace it.

I still don't understand why Midwest pilots get up and go to work every day. Concessionary pay til the last day I guess.

What concessionary pay? Every captain still working is making $154/hour and every first officer still working is making $101/hour. They know they are going to lose their jobs. They might as well make as much as possible for the next few months. They sure as hell are not going to be able to find another flying job paying anywhere close to what they are making now.

 

[likeitis]

What concessionary pay? Every captain still working is making $154/hour and every first officer still working is making $101/hour. They know they are going to lose their jobs. They might as well make as much as possible for the next few months. They sure as hell are not going to be able to find another flying job paying anywhere close to what they are making now.

Those are concessionary rates under a concessionary contract signed in 2003.

 

[HA25]

Those are concessionary rates under a concessionary contract signed in 2003.

yeah and the sad part is compared to the rates RAH pays they're "extravagant"... Here is a prime example of how we're getting shafted in this profession by smart managers.