Airtran goes for Midwest Airlines

[73-Driver]

Does any one not from AAI think this is really going to happen? Just wondering what the YX pilots are saying.

 

[TWA Dude]

Now, I'm just a pilot but what if they (airTran) just bought up shares of midwest on the open market, and not pay the premium? Then say "hey we own 30% of you, how about selling us the rest".

In USA Today there's an article that states that if one investor buy 30% of MEH stock a poison pill can be enacted that doubles the number of shares available, thus diluting their share. So in other words, it won't work here.

 

[flyin4jsus]

Maybe Air Wisconsin would buy up skyway. Just never know how these things work out.

 

[Captainjerky]

The future

I was sort of hoping Richard Branson would buy off Skyway so he'd have a type certificate and pilots to start Virgin Galactic. Do you think my 2 year Associate degree is competitive for getting an interview there?

 

[ultrarunner]

I think it'll happen. AAI only offered what was required to force MEH in putting the offer to the BOD for vote. At the time AAI did this, there is no reason to think they did not anticipate this outcome. And AAI would have had no reason NOT to go public if they really didn't want the outfit and were not willing to pay more.

It's all about the dance now. AAI can force a shareholder vote. MEH, while not under any obligation to do so, could open their books in hopes of AAI increasing their offer. This is unlikely given the recent spin TH has put fourth in his press releases, but still wouldn't surprise me, considering the only DD AAI has done is from public information anyway. Remember, it's all about the money.

There could be no better time for shareholders to get out, and IMO, if AAI pumps up the price, this could be a GREAT time for TH and senior leadership to bail and take a massive chunk of cash with them.

I would think AAI has the cash and/or backing to likely double their offer. I don't think the offer will go that high, but if it gets to 15 or 16 bucks a share I would think all the institutional holders as well as all shareholders would be on board.

 

[⌐ FLYER]

RE: Einstein/Chucky, etc...

"... Oh, and the questions will be written by BestPilot..."

That's funny! Will he/she/it be on the interview board as well axing tough questions?

 

[Freightdog75]

Uncle Timmy(YX) says in company released memo that it's not going to happen. Take it for what it's worth, he stabbed us(Skyway) in the back by farming out our 50 seat flying. I don't believe anything from him anymore, whatever. Good luck all.

FD75

 

[bestpilot]

If it goes through, "Welcome Aboard" to all, except for Chuck Yogurt, who will need to re-apply, and will be interviewed by a board consisting of Fletch, FL717 and myself, with 737Pylt observing as a neutral party . . . . Oh, and the questions will be written by BestPilot.

Duuuude! Show dat Ole Silly Trix Wabbit some freaking luv!!! Dat Ole Chuckie at da Tranny? AWWW YEEEAAHHH boyyyeeee!!!! If he gonna be a Capn here, den like I be like gotza be like doin a trip wit da Chuckie, den like a trip wit Ole Ty Guy, and like keep like doin dat cause like dat wood be like wwwaaayyyy fun and stuff!

If ole Chuckie boyee gonna like be a Co-yogurt an stuff, den like I jus gotzta get dat ole bid in fer like dat ole leftie seat an stuff. Hey like "Yougort dude, Gimmie dat Checklist, my brother from another mother!!"

Man oh freaking man, me an ole Chuckles doin da Tranny proud!!!!!!

I cantz freaking wait!!!!!!


AWWWWWWW Yeeeaaaahhhhh, boyeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tubelcane]

The TWA MEC didnt just wake up one morning and say "Oh you know this scope language , it's a load of hooey, wer'e gonna roll the dice and hope our brothers at APA will welcome us with open arms."

What tv9 said!

 

[PCL_128]

Hate to break it to you, Lear, but you can expect a representational vote if this merger goes through. Still have your ALPA card?

 

[ultrarunner]

Hate to break it to you, Lear, but you can expect a representational vote if this merger goes through. Still have your ALPA card?

True, but if AAI pilots wanted ALPA on-property, I would think they would already be there.

Just a thought.

 

[TV9Driver]

So the vote would be 400 for ALPA and 1500 against ALPA......hmmm...

 

[mnboyev]

Ahh.. 1501 counting me..... But I'm open to new ideas.. Cant wait to work with the Mid Ex fellas.. good bunch I understand... at least they know what ice fishing is !!

I think AAI is screwing up... again !! ...imagine that.. at least they got the press machine working this time... good thinking... no sense in pissing everybody off at the onset.. like ATA..... whatever..

this will never happen.. crappy lawyers at AAi... they will never understand the midwest... good product.. good people.... hometown loyalty... Uh.. they need to embrace the community and employees... welcome.. welcome.. have some hotdish... but Orlando dont get it.... again.

say what you want .. stock price... merger... integration.. I'll bet a case of Old swill right now that it wont happen !! Who's in on the AirTran side ? Orlando will screw it up.... again.... imagine that ! ... Oh.. and how bout that xmas deal going on at tranny this week ?... if you off on xmas... better not open any mail that is certified... or you'll be working !!

Merry Xmas to all... and to all .. a good nite....

See ya guys on the radio...

 

[dtfl]

That's cool, didn't mean to sound like I was going on the offensive or anything,,,

I also don't want something that's going to hurt EITHER side. It's not fair to staple their guys to the bottom of the list, nor is it fair to ask our F/O's to suddenly find themselves stuck on F/O pay for another 2, 3, or 4 years with a one for one or even one for five integration.

Hell, the current delivery schedule, if no more orders are placed, just barely puts our CURRENT F/O's in the CA seat at the end of it, much less if you added 200 or so more guys in front of them.

Talk about mass exodus, we were discussing the upcoming recalls and hiring for the majors and the pilots here (who would go, who wouldn't). Most of us aren't actively looking anywhere else, as we like the schedules we're getting and the 3 year upgrade (for pilots hired in the last year or two) is HUGE, but I tell you this:

If this thing comes to fruition and you add 2 or 3 years to someone's upgrade track OR if you put enough people in front of them that they have no hope of upgrade by the time we take our last scheduled 737 delivery PLUS we don't get a contract by the time 1 or 2 more majors start hiring or we end up with only 10% or so of a raise for the F/O's (which basically only covers COLA for the period we've been without COLA raises), you WILL see a mass exodus towards the door.

The HR department has been able to be very picky the last several years, and most of the new-hires have LOTS of PIC jet time, 4 year degrees, and clean backgrounds. There's nothing stopping them from bailing as the flood gates open up except a promising future of quick upgrade at a decent pay rate (currently here).

Take that away and leave them making the same thing they were as an RJ Captain stuck as an F/O for a decade and this company could easily start seeing $5 Million a year or more in training cost expense increases.

I was furloughed from a legacy when I applied to Airtran - then got recalled to my airline, but took mil leave and got an Airtran interview - still wanted to fly for Airtran for all the reasons you listed above (deliveries..new AC...quick upgrade) but if this happens..I will not accept a class date from AT (in the pool) and go back to my legacy airline when my mil leave is up. If I have to sit for 6-8 years as an FO why not do it at a higher pay scale? Who wouldn't go where the $ is if they will be doing nearly the same job?
Nothing against Airtran as the folks there and the service have been nothing but wonderful...but I think most will seek other employment...you are very spot-on in your predictions..should this merger happen

 

[Ty Webb]

Ahhh . . . the coming Christmas storm . . . . .poetic justice.

The Company stomped away from the negotiating table in November, saying, basically, "F#$@ You!" . . . .

A few, short weeks later, they've been reduced to begging and threatening -trying to fill hundreds of trips over a three-day period with no crew.

Couldn't have happened to a couple of nicer guys . . . Usually, you have to wait a lot longer than this to get a payback this good.
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