MIDWEST's Future

[flying zephyr]

Well Ladies and Gents, (Sorry so long winded)

Here is the skinny from MY PERSPECTIVE. With Delta's pilots signing that agreement with Delta to put pressure on NWA's pilots or make sure that there is HUGE animosity with Northwest's pilots here are the possibilities with how things will play out. A meeting is taking place in MSP today to see if the pilots can work out differences before the merger is announced. How does this affect ME, here goes. First Delta has an "iron clad" possession clause that says if Delta owns more than 30% of an airline that flies our type a/c, then they must be absorbed or cast off. You may recall the Comair lawsuit that tried to have them integrated onto Delta's seniority list,(not right a/c). So since the deal is 90% done. Our options are that we will become part of the new world's largest airline, or they will cast us off to sink with the other airlines that have tried a MCI hub. Will the DOJ allow a combined MEH, NWA, DAL in MKE, maybe. If you follow what Delta has done out of MKE, they no longer fly to SLC, and they have quietly shifted almost all flying to RJs.

Many nightmares ahead to see how and when this would play out. I for one am skeptical that we will be given a fair shake in any merger, but it has been made quite clear TPG is not our piggy bank and we are so infinitely small(see Washington Mutual getting 7 Billion with a B from TPG led group) that I for one am nervous that we will not survive through end 2009. We did just finish our biggest fare sale ever(read raise lots of cash on hand) and I hear our bookings for summer are way up, but our sept and forward not so much.(apparently look six months ahead and compare to previous years)

So please someone tell me, which is the lesser of two evils. I am very thankful for the career that I have, and would like it to continue. I will also vote for an assessment or march or picket or do whatever it takes to help the furloughs. I too worry about the wolf in sheeps clothing who says they won't pick up open time then flys 95-100 hour months. 80-85 hours 15-16 days off is my goal every month.

God's speed and good luck, hopefully better times for all on the horizon.

 

[GOULET!]

I hope all you guys get absorbed by DAL/NWA. As much as I hate to admit it, there is no future for Midwest as a stand alone. I wish Midwest would have had the ability to furlough all us Skyway pilots onto your senority list. Guess that was attempted but was shot down. Good luck.

 

[FlyWolf]

I think the best case scenario at this point is to get absorbed by a NWA/DAL merger.

 

[CitationLover]

I think the best case scenario at this point is to get absorbed by a NWA/DAL merger.

it's either that or wither on the vine.

 

[DASHDRIVER]

Citation, I know that we have discussed this at length. I still believe that the reasons NW got involved with Midex are still relevant in todays market. It is still true that if Airtran is allowed a foot hold in MKE that ticket prices will erode over 2 billion dollars over the next 10 years in MSP and DTW(NW's Numbers). It is true that Delta will have the same interest in keeping Airtran out if a merger goes through.

I do agree that there is precedence supporting Delta's 30% ownership clause. So, that makes me agree that the choice will be to absorb us or to divest us. After spending 200+million to acquire us in the first place and paying the penalties to TPG for bringing them in and them selling of their share at what will probably be pennies on the dollar. I would still wager that there will be a place for us in this merger somewhere

DD

 

[Propsync]

While I wish you all good luck, I do disagree. After the summer travel season, I would expect a MAJOR reduction in flights for most everyone. Furloughs are likely everywhere by September-October. I just don't see NW furloughing pilots and keep Midwest going, then merge Midwest in. ALPA National sure as hell won't go to bat for you if it comes down to it. NW ALPA will be the ones in charge. I unfortunately see NW's flight reductions to end up being Midwest's flight reductions.

 

[Jetjockey]

TPG is nothing more than a hedge fund. Look at Maitlin-Patterson and how they handled ATA. Paid $300 million, re-arranged a few holding companies here and there, and 3 years later, let it wither away to nothing. I'm sure they made there money back somehow, some way.

 

[Eagle757shark]

Citation, I know that we have discussed this at length. I still believe that the reasons NW got involved with Midex are still relevant in todays market. It is still true that if Airtran is allowed a foot hold in MKE that ticket prices will erode over 2 billion dollars over the next 10 years in MSP and DTW(NW's Numbers). It is true that Delta will have the same interest in keeping Airtran out if a merger goes through.

I do agree that there is precedence supporting Delta's 30% ownership clause. So, that makes me agree that the choice will be to absorb us or to divest us. After spending 200+million to acquire us in the first place and paying the penalties to TPG for bringing them in and them selling of their share at what will probably be pennies on the dollar. I would still wager that there will be a place for us in this merger somewhere

DD

Come on dude. I wish everyone the best. I have been on the end of companies that have gone out of business. It is not fun and don't wish that on anyone. But be true to yourself and don't get misguided into thinking that someone else is going to save your bacon. First of all, do you really think that if Delta and Northwest merge and become the WORLDS largest airline, they really would care about little old AirTran in Milwaukee? The merged carrier would have major hubs in MSP, DTW, CVG, MEM, ATL, JFK, and SLC just to name a few. Eventually, CVG and MEM would probable shrink and become focus cities. AirTran would be so insignificant to the merged Delta and Northwest.

I remember how much everyone said ATA was going to be bought by Southwest because Southwest needed ATA to go international. Southwest would not let ATA go out of business because of Hawaii and Southwest needs the International certificate and so forth. Many of us believed that and felt that would be ATA's saving grace. Well as of this moment we all know the outcome.

Folks, I say these things not to be cruel, but to be honest. I've been there. It hurts and it is hard to walk away from a ship when it is taking on water and you really love that ship. It is gut check time for all of us. With the high energy prices, credit crunch, and a slowing economy, things are going to get tight. Most of all, please don't fall into the trap of thinking some other company is going to be the white knight and come in and rescue your company. They might, but please don't be misguided by it.

 

[IdRtherBsailing]

Come on dude. I wish everyone the best. I have been on the end of companies that have gone out of business. It is not fun and don't wish that on anyone. But be true to yourself and don't get misguided into thinking that someone else is going to save your bacon. First of all, do you really think that if Delta and Northwest merge and become the WORLDS largest airline, they really would care about little old AirTran in Milwaukee? The merged carrier would have major hubs in MSP, DTW, CVG, MEM, ATL, JFK, and SLC just to name a few. Eventually, CVG and MEM would probable shrink and become focus cities. AirTran would be so insignificant to the merged Delta and Northwest.

I remember how much everyone said ATA was going to be bought by Southwest because Southwest needed ATA to go international. Southwest would not let ATA go out of business because of Hawaii and Southwest needs the International certificate and so forth. Many of us believed that and felt that would be ATA's saving grace. Well as of this moment we all know the outcome.

Folks, I say these things not to be cruel, but to be honest. I've been there. It hurts and it is hard to walk away from a ship when it is taking on water and you really love that ship. It is gut check time for all of us. With the high energy prices, credit crunch, and a slowing economy, things are going to get tight. Most of all, please don't fall into the trap of thinking some other company is going to be the white knight and come in and rescue your company. They might, but please don't be misguided by it.

But if you have no life raft to jump into, what does it hurt to have a little optimism? I don't think its misleading yourself, its just clinging onto all that you have left.

 

[CitationLover]

....First of all, do you really think that if Delta and Northwest merge and become the WORLDS largest airline, they really would care about little old AirTran in Milwaukee? The merged carrier would have major hubs in MSP, DTW, CVG, MEM, ATL, JFK, and SLC just to name a few. Eventually, CVG and MEM would probable shrink and become focus cities. AirTran would be so insignificant to the merged Delta and Northwest.....

They would care to the tune of projected revenue losses of $2 billion over 10 years! Are you telling me DAL/NWA wasn't considering a merger when NWA ponied up $250 million for our little carrier?

Make no mistake the point was to keep AAI out of MKE and limit their expansion.