Republic Airways moving execs to Indianapolis

[bluesideup1]

Guess there just going to keep the pilots in Denver. They did promise didn't they?


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Repub...0&.v=4
Republic Airways moving execs to Indianapolis

Republic Airways moving execs to Indianapolis; former Frontier CEO Menke resigning

• Companies:
  • Republic Airways Holdings Inc.

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SymbolPriceChangeRJET7.27+0.09




By Joshua Freed, AP Airlines Writer , On Thursday January 14, 2010, 4:38 pm EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Republic Airways Holdings Inc., which bought Frontier Airlines and Midwest Airlines last year, says it will move all of its executives to its base in Indianapolis as it further consolidates its two new airlines.
When they were independent carriers, Frontier was based in Denver and Midwest was based in Milwaukee.
Republic spokesman Carlos Bertolini said roughly 3,000 workers will continue to be based in Denver, mostly flight crews and reservations workers. About 1,200 work in Indianapolis and roughly 1,500 will work in Milwaukee, once all the transitions are done, he said. Employment in Milwaukee is actually rising because Republic is shifting some maintenance work to that city.
Republic's purchases last year of Frontier and Midwest turned it into a hodgepodge of brands. Republic has long done feeder flying for hire by big carriers on its other operations, which include Chautauqua Airlines and Shuttle America. By adding Midwest and Frontier, it got into the business of competing for its own passengers instead of taking those fed to it by other airlines.
Bertolini said Republic still plans to keep the Midwest name. However, all Midwest flying has been done by Republic crews since late last year.
Republic also said it will move to a common system for reservations on Frontier and Midwest, and will integrate their frequent-flier programs. Bertolini said frequent fliers shouldn't worry about losing their miles.
"We're looking at trying to make enhancements, not move in the other direction," he said.
Republic also said former Frontier CEO Sean Menke is resigning. Menke guided Denver-based Frontier through bankruptcy protection. When Republic bought Frontier out of bankruptcy in October, it kept Menke, naming him chief marketing officer.
Republic released a statement from Menke saying, "while I regret very deeply that I will be leaving employees I consider to be like friends and family, I have come to the decision that I will look for my future elsewhere. He said he has agreed to stay through early April.
Republic shares rose 9 cents to close at $7.27.

 

[N1atEcon]

As long as John Stemmler gets to stay in Denver in his left seat all is fine. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain/in MKE taking jobs from Denver every other month."

 

[N1atEcon]

I meant IND not MKE. What happened in MKE to Midwest was a travesty! I hope the same doesn't happen to Frontier but it seems every 6 to 8 weeks there is a "new anouncement."

 

[Flying the Line]

Sean Menke Leaves Frontier Airlines, This Can't Be GoodBy Brett Snyder | Jan 15, 2010 Sean Menke is leaving Frontier Airlines, and that scares me. Usually a good airline turnaround story has a hero behind it. With Continental (CAL), for example, it was Gordon Bethune. While many know his name, few probably know Sean Menke. I remain convinced that Sean is the reason that Frontier still flying today, and now he’s leaving as parent-company Republic consolidates management in Indianapolis. It looks like Republic doesn’t quite understand the value of the Frontier culture and brand. This may come back to bite them.Frontier was in dire shape when it went into bankruptcy, yet somehow Sean and his team were able to steer the company through the process and bring it out mostly in tact. One thing Frontier had was a great culture, a great brand, and tremendous loyalty in Denver. Sean nurtured the culture and kept it strong when the airline came out the other side under the Republic umbrella.Republic is an airline that has done a great job as a regional but knows nothing about a brand. Sure, it dipped its toe in with the ill-fated Mokulele venture in Hawai’i. Then it bought the ashes of Midwest along with Frontier. While Frontier’s brand remained strong, Midwest’s had effectively been gutted already. The true brand knowledge was with Sean Menke and the rest of the Frontier team, and that should have been used to guide the organization.Things were looking to be on the right track back in October when Republic named Sean as Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer. I, however, was still cautious in my post on the subject:Frontier has built itself a strong culture in Denver, and they have that “hometown airline” aura around them. If decisions start being made in Indianapolis independent of the brand, that could be disastrous for the airline’s reputation.It looks like Republic CEO Bryan Bedford isn’t heeding those warnings. Though I don’t know for sure, I have to think this is Sean’s choice completely. Why is that? Well in the very same press release, Republic announced that it is consolidating “all executive management functions” in Indianapolis. I don’t know either of them, but I imagine the conversation went like this:Bryan: Soooo, Sean, we’re gonna keep integrating and move everyone to IndySean: Are you kidding me? You’re going to kill everything we’ve built at FrontierBryan: BummerSean: I’m outRepublic doesn’t know the first thing about branding, and something tells me that they aren’t too concerned about it. They think they’re on to something, and I think it could be disastrous for them. If Frontier loses its hometown loyalty, there’s nothing left. United (UAL) and Southwest (LUV) will be happy to welcome customers with open arms. And in Milwaukee? Well, there’s AirTran and Southwest knocking on the door there.I really hope Bryan Bedford knows what he’s doing, but I am very concerned.Here is the link.http://industry.bnet.com/travel/10004627/sean-menke-leaves-frontier-airlines-this-cant-be-good/

 

[Flying the Line]

Here is another story of how Republic changing the pay for Frontier front line employees.http://www.denverpost.com/frontierairlines/ci_14090506

 

[airlinepilot]

Are the pilot pay scales "standardized"? If not that has to be on his future agenda.....

 

[maxblast72]

Is it too late for the Southwest deal?

 

[Popeye0537]

When did people start caring where a companys headquarters was based? If that is so why do people in Chicago fly on American? The employees owned united! Yet people will flock to midway to fly on an airline that's based in Dallas
Nice article......

 

[N1atEcon]

It was relevant here because when Frontier was in Chapter 11. RAH was talking about all the jobs in Denver they would preserve if they won the bid. Now since they won the bid there have been hundreds of jobs moved out of DEN. Someone else may have a grand total.

 

[spciii]

Guess there just going to keep the pilots in Denver. They did promise didn't they?

Umm, didn't they announce recently they were moving some Airbii to MKE?

 

[UnstableAviator]

Midwest the brand is going to be phased out too.

 

[GuppyWN]

I heard Menke and Gary Kelly were "seen" together recently.

Dunno,
Gup

 

[Whataburger]

I heard Menke and Gary Kelly were "seen" together recently.

Dunno,
Gup

I also heard Alaska MEC was "seen" in Dallas. Maybe Alaska and Frontier and SWA are gonna merge and Gary and Menke are gonna co-CEO SWalaTier just like the Cowboys have been sucessfully co-coached.

 

[SWA/FO]

I saw Guppy smoking crack while waiting in the drive-thru at whataburger.

 

[IAHERJ]

Maybe Menke didn't really want to "know the Lord" in the same sense that Bedford does.....

 

[Quiet Flight]

Is it too late for the Southwest deal?

Yes...

 

[GFunk20]

Not real sure why anyone is surprised by this.

 

[Quimby]

Is there gonna be a Swimsuit 2 airplane next month?

Let's hope so.

 

[AnimalTale]

Maybe Menke didn't really want to "know the Lord" in the same sense that Bedford does.....

Its funny how my co-workers are so surprised with Bedford's actions and mngmts' max exodus...

F9 is no longer F9! I would have rather been stapled and furloughed from SWA, then choose the RAH route.

We should have just let F9 die an honorable death. Now we are going to dilute our product and dismantle our lifestyles!

CYA

 

[Megalops]

It is still amazing to me that SWA was seen as the bad guy in the two bidders. All I can do now is bite my tongue and shake my head. Just wait tell they start dropping the airbii, can't wait for the bewilderment then.

 

[GFunk20]

It is still amazing to me that SWA was seen as the bad guy in the two bidders. All I can do now is bite my tongue and shake my head. Just wait tell they start dropping the airbii, can't wait for the bewilderment then.

Nope, Republic was the best choice. The Church of Bedford will take care of it's holy congregation.

 

[GuppyWN]

It is still amazing to me that SWA was seen as the bad guy in the two bidders. All I can do now is bite my tongue and shake my head. Just wait tell they start dropping the airbii, can't wait for the bewilderment then.

Funny you should mention this. We took quite a beating by the Denver media and the Frontier frontline employees.

I just jumpseated on Frontier last week. If was good to see a few familiar faces. What struck me as odd and sad was the tone of res agent when I called to list and that of the gate agent.

The res agent said to me "It's very disappointing to be told one thing before the buyout and then be told something completely different after the fact." I didn't ask what that meant but she didn't sound like a happy camper about it. Anyone know the res side?

Then there was the gate agent at the airport. She was plenty friendly for sure. But when I asked how the gate agents side of the transition was going she said "I'm just glad Republic got us because SWA was going to fire all of us!" She was taken aback when I asked her who would work the additional flights the buyout would have created.

I'm not saying that SWA was, by any means, F9's Knight in Shining Armour but it seems every department I have chatted with were told something that really wasn't the case.

I hope you guys get over the hump and get it all worked out sooner rather than later.

Gup

 

[kwick]

Will go down as Kelly's dumbest move.

Giving up a fortress hub in Denver and international
routes, in order to keep a few short-sighted pilots happy.

 

[airlinepilot]

Duh!!!!!!!!!

Will go down as Kelly's dumbest move.

Giving up a fortress hub in Denver and international
routes, in order to keep a few short-sighted pilots happy.

Guess you have been living under a stone the last few years. Kelly (while not being smart about doing his homework regarding a bid based on an approved labor contract) was smart not to proceed without the pilots onboard. Ever hear of America West and USAIR????????? The division in this company has kept it from realizing the benefits of the merger, and there is no solution in site.

 

[Cruncher]

kwick, we are mostly (there are some senior folks that are bummed, not to mention a few junior FA????) glad the deal fell through (Considering the initial and final SLI volley). Wonder how the couple hundred F9 folks who had active apps with SWA felt, or the current furloughed F9 pilots? I do feel for them, it's too bad we could not work something out.

I never flew for the Reverend, I only know what I read on these forums (which is probably skewed). But by the sound of his MO, I bet an overwhelming majority of F9 pilots (& other employee groups) will wish we worked something out. IMO, BB overplayed his hand with his counter offer and expected SWA to win (that is, to top his bid and seriously line his pockets).

SWA spoke the truth with what their plans were, we would have eventually brought all furloughed employees back on property (if they wanted). Sounds like BB lied / mislead many during the negotiations.

OBTW, our short sightedness has led to a "no domestic or RJ codeshare" in our last CBA.

 

[StopNTSing]

Will go down as Kelly's dumbest move.

Giving up a fortress hub in Denver and international
routes, in order to keep a few short-sighted pilots happy.

Only time will tell, my friend. But the further we all get from August '09, the more I'm convinced Kelly knew exactly what he was doing....and it had nothing to do with whether the pilots could agree on an SLI or not.

 

[GFunk20]

Will go down as Kelly's dumbest move.

Giving up a fortress hub in Denver and international
routes, in order to keep a few short-sighted pilots happy.

And your post will go down as the dumbest of this thread.

Ever think this rare employee-first attitude is what made one of the world's best companies? I believe we are already well on our way to building a "fortress" in DEN. 140 daily flights by this fall.

Besides, my Republic friends are ready to fly the Airbus.

 

[SWA/FO]

It is still amazing to me that SWA was seen as the bad guy in the two bidders

Me too! Only time will tell.

 

[Cardinal]

The res agent said to me "It's very disappointing to be told one thing before the buyout and then be told something completely different after the fact." I didn't ask what that meant but she didn't sound like a happy camper about it. Anyone know the res side?

Well there was a big F9 res call center in Las Cruces, NM, the announcement that their unit was to be shuttered and moved east was one of the first.

 

[maxblast72]

Hopefully Gary and the pilots learned some things so the Airtran merger goes smoothly. The combination could be a real domestic powerhouse and put Republic out of their misery in DEN and MKE.