MIDWEST's Future

[bleagle]

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.

Actually, I do think they will care....

Do you think that passengers care if they fly the "worlds biggest airline" or do you think in these tight economic times that passengers purchase decisions will be based on competitive fares?

NWA thought it was important enough to keep "little ole AT" off their backs.

Point is .... don't get too wrapped up on just the size of a company or the perceived invincibility of a company! Especially in this industry of $49.00 to $99.00 fares... how is DAL/NWA merger going to change that?

Don't forget SWA was a "little ole company" back in the day against DAY ... but can our airline industry sustain it self on LOW FARES?

Dal had one way fares between ATL ORD for $79.00 in April!

This will be a very interesting year....

We need to stop this low airfare crap....even greyhound has higher fares...