Leonard says deal is close to fruition

[lowecur]

Joe Leonard and other Airtran officials are visiting MDW today to inspect the 14 gates. They have layed out a detailed plan that neither LUV nor AWA has bothered to implement, and feel very confident that they will receive the needed blessing of City Officials to convince the BK judge to rule in it's favor.

This does not look like it will turn into the bidding war that George wanted, and he may be stuck with the $87M as the only viable cash bid. Nothing has been heard from Jetblue, other than they may put in a bid for some gates and slots at LGA. However, I wouldn't rule them out just yet as bids are not due until the 23rd of the month. They have 23 new a/c coming on board in 2005, and 35 in 2006. Without a Chicago focus or a UAIR chapt 7, they will have a very difficult time finding a place to put these a/c.

AirTran CEO says ATA deal close
Officials from both airlines at Midway today

By Paul Merrion
November 12, 2004

AirTran Airways hopes to land a decision "soon" from Chicago officials on its bid to assume 14 gate leases at Midway Airport as part of the bankruptcy restructuring of ATA Airlines, Midway's largest carrier.


"We think we'll know pretty soon," says Joseph Leonard, chairman and CEO of parent AirTran Holdings Inc. "We've given them a lot more than a high level, this is what we think we can do" analysis. "We've showed the city a definitive plan of how we'd build this" over time.

A Chicago Department of Aviation spokeswoman says there have been talks with several airlines that expressed interest in ATA's Midway gates after the discount carrier entered bankruptcy last month and announced plans to exit the Chicago market. While declining to comment on when a decision is expected, she said the city is negotiating only with AirTran.

Because the city owns the gates, it has to approve the transfer of a gate lease to another party. The transaction also needs bankruptcy court approval.

Southwest Airlines, which already has 19 gates at Midway, has said it may want to acquire seven more, and America West Airlines also has expressed interest. A bankruptcy court hearing Monday is expected to establish ground rules and a timetable for bids rivaling AirTran's proposal.

AirTran started the process when it reached an agreement last month to pay Indianapolis-based parent ATA Holdings Inc. $87.5 million for gates at Midway, New York and Los Angeles. In addition, the two airlines will cooperate on marketing and ATA will operate the Chicago routes for AirTran while AirTran gradually brings in its own planes.

Mr. Leonard says the deal would create an "instant hub" in Chicago and "for the first time ever, a national presence" for Florida-based AirTran, whose main hub now is Atlanta. "Those are not bad places to be in if you're in the airline business."

Mr. Leonard and other AirTran officials are visiting Midway Airport today, inspecting the 14 gates they definitely want, as well as other facilities they may or may not acquire from ATA.

"We don't really need" ATA's Chicago reservations center, which employs about 300 at an office building near O'Hare International Airport, says Mr. Leonard. "It's our understanding ATA will continue to operate that." An ATA spokeswoman could not confirm whether that decision has been made. However, AirTran may decide to acquire ATA's hangar space at Midway in order to maintain the planes it plans on bringing to Chicago. "We clearly have to hire mechanics," says Mr. Leonard. "With the weather in Chicago, we probably need hangars."

 

[dlredline]

. . . Nothing has been heard from Jetblue, other than they may put in a bid for some gates and slots at LGA. However, I wouldn't rule them out just yet as bids are not due until the 23rd of the month. They have 23 new a/c coming on board in 2005, and 35 in 2006. Without a Chicago focus or a UAIR chapt 7, they will have a very difficult time finding a place to put these a/c.

Wanna bet?

 

[Dizel8]

I too would like to place a bet!

 

[Boeingman]

Careful guys, you'd be betting against an insurance...er I mean aviation know it all.

 

[lowecur]

Careful guys, you'd be betting against an insurance...er I mean aviation know it all.

Well if it isn't Bethune's Buffoon.

It's wonderful to know that we have someone who is absolutely addicted to everything I say. You sir on an Obsessive, Compulsive, Insurance Agent Stalker. Let's see, OCIAS.

I see you've adopted my "challenged" adjective. See if you can come up with something on your own, genius. Now go sniff some Jet A fumes, and remember when you exit the flight deck to take a left and open that door to exit.

 

[lowecur]

Wanna bet?

I'm listening.

 

[Boeingman]

It's wonderful to know that we have someone who is absolutely addicted to everything I say. You sir on an Obsessive, Compulsive, Insurance Agent Stalker. Let's see, OCIAS.

Hooray...you've actually learned how to post and edit. Was that in a mail order course as well? Is there anything you can't do LowIQer? Insurance conman extradonaire and now we can finally add editing to your long and distingushed career. Perhaps you can go down to the local Cessna Pilot Center and tell them you're a flightinfo forum expert now and they'd give you some extra ground school credits.

Obsessive? Nope. You're just so easy to make fun of since you not only get kicked off these forums, but stick your foot in your mouth time and again. Really easy pickings like the brilliant comment on this thread about JB aircraft
just proves my point.

I actually (with you) consider myself an OCDBIA stalker. Extra credit for you if you can figure it out.

I see you've adopted my "challenged" adjective. See if you can come up with something on your own, genius.

Where? When? Looking in the mirror again bozo? Really you shouldn't smoke crack and drink before you post.

Now go sniff some Jet A fumes

At least one of us know what Jet A actually smells like.

when you exit the flight deck to take a left and open that door to exit.

See LowIQer, while you're stroking yourself and the airplanes are flying over your parked car by the airport fence (in your endless quest and thirst for aviation knowledge) you are looking at the galley door of the aircraft flying over your head. Besides dimwit I usually have to deplane out of L2.

Just how does one with such a brilliant background in Insurance sales (pardon me for a second while I stop laughing..............) become such an expert in aviation? Oh yea, I remember...you bought stock in Embraer. LMAO, yes sir, that will do it everytime.

 

[N1atEcon]

"Without a Chicago focus or a UAIR chapt 7, they will have a very difficult time finding a place to put these a/c."

Once again Mr. Yapper (Lowecur) is flapping about things he knows nothing. Someone had better call the suits at Jet Blue to let them know an insurance salesman is saying they will be parking planes in the Mohave if they don't get into Chi town. Thanks for showing us why you are not a CEO.

 

[HalinTexas]

Leonard is talking out his arse.


No judge has heard anything yet, not even entertained a motion. AWA & SWA have publicly said they're still looking into it.

Ya'll are a bunch of suckers. Will jump on anything the press has to say as the God's given truth. No secured creditors have even made a public comment.

DAmm vultures, give a rest for bit....

 

[Boeingman]

Score:


Pilots: 4

Deadbeat insurance salesman: "Zero"

Once again his score amounts to his intelligence level. At least this time he hasn't gotten kicked off the forum. Not yet anyway. LMAO

 

[lowecur]

Really easy pickings like the brilliant comment on this thread about JB aircraft
just proves my point.

What sa matter genius, can't debate me? Please let us all know where they are going to put these planes.

Where? When? Looking in the mirror again bozo? Really you shouldn't smoke crack and drink before you post.

Here ya go buffoon:
"I should know better than to argue with him anyway. When you make fun of someone so, shall we say, mentally challenged........... it is not ethical." You're addicted! Stop PM'n me with those silly pictures of you dressed up like the Village People.

See LowIQer, while you're sunning yourself and the airplanes are flying over your parked Mercedes by the airport fence, I'll be stepping out L2 as we make our approach. I'll bet that will really hurt.

Just how does one with such a brilliant background in Insurance sales become such an expert in aviation? Oh yea, I remember...you bought stock in Embraer. See that wasn't too hard. You really need to come up with reply's that aren't so repetitive. It show a lack of creative thinking, and an inability to think for yourself. These traits would not be very good if you ever had to fly by the seat of your pants in an emergency. I'm surprised they didn't pick that up on your psychological profile test.

Oh well, I guess Bethune needed a buffoon.

 

[Boeingman]

Score Pilot 5 Insurance loser ZERO

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boingman

Really easy pickings like the brilliant comment on this thread about JB aircraft
just proves my point.

What sa matter genius, can't debate me? Please let us all know where they are going to put these planes.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Boingman

Where? When? Looking in the mirror again bozo? Really you shouldn't smoke crack and drink before you post.

Here ya go buffoon:
"I should know better than to argue with him anyway. When you make fun of someone so, shall we say, mentally challenged........... it is not ethical." You're addicted! Stop PM'n me with those silly pictures of you dressed up like the Village People.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Boingman
See LowIQer, while you're sunning yourself and the airplanes are flying over your parked Mercedes by the airport fence, I'll be stepping out L2 as we make our approach. I'll bet that will really hurt.

Just how does one with such a brilliant background in Insurance sales become such an expert in aviation? Oh yea, I remember...you bought stock in Embraer. See that wasn't too hard. You really need to come up with reply's that aren't so repetitive. It show a lack of creative thinking, and an inability to think for yourself. These traits would not be very good if you ever had to fly by the seat of your pants in an emergency. I'm surprised they didn't pick that up on your psychological profile test.

Oh well, I guess Bethune needed a buffoon.

What's the matter LowIQer????? Did you get booted off Insurancedoucebagforums.com?

Hmmm, funny, that's not what I wrote. Once again we have LowIQer changing the content of the original posters remarks. I'm sure you have really fooled everyone with a LowIQ right LowIQer? I mean those with the intelligence of more than an ant (sorry to hit so close to home) would be able to figure that out.



Mercedes???? Ohhhh mmmmmyyyyyyyyyyy. Are you rich?????? Can we all be your friend????? Are we all not in awe of your deep pockets?????? ooohhhh myyyyy. Big deal LowIQer, I drive one, and so does my wife.



I don't even know where to begin with that editing mess of yours. Now the Cessna Pilot Center is going to take away those 5 minutes of ground school credit you worked so hard to earn. Looks like you're tipping the bottle pretty heavy tonight.



Hmmm let's see JB's airplanes. Gee whiz, I guess since the MDW (that’s the ICAO airport designator douche) deal may not go to them, they'll just have to beg Airbus to take them back. Yep, that's it. I wouldn't want to confuse you by mentioning that they would redeploy those aircraft on routes that are high yield and high LF's. That wouldn't be too difficult for you to understand now would it?



I didn’t realize you had a patent on the word challenged. If memory serves me correctly, I mentioned it first. I think you are so proprietary about it because it fits you so well. Yes, as a matter of fact it does.



LowIQer, in an emergency we are trained not to be "creative" but to use CRM, follow repetitive checklists with our crews and not just "think for yourself". If you'd go out and quadruple your knowledge of aviation and take that $49 intro ride, perhaps you’d understand that. Ask that $8/hr CFI, even he could tell you. Every time you open your mouth about aviation, you just make a bigger arse of yourself. But it sure is fun watching you. Doesn't the taste of your shoes get old after awhile?

BTW What psychological profile tests have you taken for your career (oh no, here comes the laughing again……….hang on…………………) insurance scam man? Was that a mail order course/test as well? Have you taken any tests to fly really neat airplanes that go very fast and make a lot of noise? (I had to keep that very simple for you). Oh silly silly me. No, you couldn't have. You're just an idiot you sells insurance by day and an all knowing wannabe airlineceopilotlavtruckdriver by night.


P.S. The PM’s you are referring to must be coming from your gay friends. Obviously, you have talked about them in numbers and you must be looking at them to describe the VP. You just are confusing who is sending them. Now you have something else to look at to jerk yourself with instead of pretending to be an airline pilot watching the airplanes. Hell, you can’t even pass as a lav. truck driver.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's too bad U does not die as quick a death as it appears ATA is. Just keep bleeding indefinitely and bring moral down to below the toilet level.

While this is a big bummer, at the very least the great folks at ATA will be able to get on with things in short order.

God bless 'em.

"Success through a PMA"

 

[lowecur]

.....

 

[FLB717]

This post went to the dogs rather quick.

 

[CaptSeth]

This post went to the dogs rather quick.

I was wondering when things would disintegrate into a hatefest.