Midwest Airlines Midwest Miles (Pre-Alignment) - Pilots question Bedfords Christmas gift

December 21, 2009
Mr. Bryan Bedford, Chairman, President & CEO Republic Airways Holdings 8909 Purdue Road, Ste. 300 Indianapolis, IN 46268

Mr. Bedford:

As the custodian for the Midwest ALPA pilots and as a furloughed Midwest pilot, I feel I must address the change to the pass policy for furloughed pilots recently instituted by Republic. I point out that the policy in effect, a policy that was confirmed by Mr. Malloy and by Captain D.M., both representatives of Republic Airways Holdings, a policy still posted on the official company website in a document entitled “Benefit Summary Pilot Furlough 02-23-09,” provided for pass privileges for two years for furloughed pilots. I further point out that such a pass policy has no real cost associated with it. I also point out that taking away that privilege has immediate significant negative impact. Not only for pilots trying to find employment elsewhere, but on people who are in the midst of holiday travel plans and will now be left stranded. All for a change that can have no real benefit to Republic Airways Holdings.

I cannot help but wonder what would prompt a decision to go back on the word given to the pilots by representatives of Republic Airways Holdings. If the goal was to establish a consistent policy across the Republic Airways Holdings carriers, surely a decision to extend the same two-year privileges to pilots furloughed at Republic and Frontier would have been a more humane and reasonable one, especially given the virtually zero cost of maintaining those privileges. It seems remarkable to me that the real human impact of revoking previously agreed upon privileges would not strike anyone involved in making the decision as inappropriate. Even worse, is the possibility that no one involved even considered the impact of such a decision on people who have been through so much. Worst of all, is the idea that those involved did realize the impact of the decision and simply did not regard it as worth considering. To take such action, especially at this time of the year, seems to be a singularly unsuitable Christmas gift and flies in the face of everything that this most holy season is supposed to embody.

I urge you to reconsider this ill-conceived, ill-timed, and badly implemented policy, and to reverse the decision and maintain the previous policy.
Sincerely,
MEA Custodian

Republic Air CEO puts his faith to work
By Ann Schrader
The Denver Post
Posted: 11/15/2009 01:00:00 AM MST


Nine years ago, Bryan Bedford decided to bring God to work with him.

"We've been building a business together ever since," said Bedford, chief executive of Republic Airways, which recently acquired Frontier Airlines.

Bedford has infused his Christian faith into Republic's vision statement and believes it has made the company stronger.

Republic employees may be used to Bedford's tack, but as new members of the Republic family, a number of Frontier workers find it jarring — as do some outsiders.

"It worries me that the environment created by the boss feels like: If you're not with Jesus, you're not on board with Republic," said Buie Seawell, an ethics and legal-studies professor at the University of Denver and a Presbyterian minister.

Bedford says he doesn't try to convert anyone or require faith as an employment litmus test.

But he also says he isn't shy about sharing his religious faith along with his faith in Republic's business plan in company newsletters — signing them: "I pray for God's continued blessings on our families and our airline."

"This tells you where I come from, what makes me tick, and this is what I believe and what the company value system is," Bedford said.

Republic's vision statement says, in part, "every employee, regardless of personal beliefs or world view, has been created in the image and likeness of God."

Some might reel at the mention, but others say it doesn't cross the line.

As the statement doesn't mention Christianity, "there is no reason why that couldn't have been written by someone who is Jewish," said Mark Silverstein, legal director of the Denver office of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Silverstein said Bedford has a right to express his values to company employees as long as he complies with statutes protecting religious freedom.

A devout Catholic, Bedford said he decided nine years ago to avoid compartmentalizing his life by being one person at work, another at home and another on Sundays.

"I needed to be a whole person in all facets of my life each day," he said.

There is a big trend globally to build businesses on religious foundations of integrity, character and trust, said Steve Stanley, chief executive of Christian Business Leaders.

The Texas-based organization helps develop "spiritual business statesmen out of business leaders," Stanley said, "where their public and private conduct is guided by the same principles and values."

DU's Seawell said he's uncomfortable with mixing business and religion, that principles such as respecting co-workers are "universal values."

"God would be pleased if we did that without doing it in his name," Seawell said.

Bedford said in a recent newsletter that he was sure the vision statement reference to God was getting a "fair amount of debate."

"Gasp . . . He talks about God in public and to his employees," mused Bedford, 48.

Some Frontier workers who want to remain anonymous out of concern for their jobs said they have been stunned by Bedford's writings. "Very bizarre!!" one wrote to The Denver Post.

There have been a few complaints, Bedford said, but he also has heard from 300 Frontier employees whom he described as grateful for his words.

Bedford doesn't limit himself to religious views. He also writes on issues that don't directly affect the airline.

Several years ago, Bedford created what he calls a "community dialog" in Republic's home base of Indianapolis when he wrote about abortion.

"This is more than words on a sheet of paper," Bedford said. "God is an important contributor to our business, and there is more going on here than flying airplanes."

On Internet pilot forums, where Bedford is referred to as "Rev. BB," some pilots question how Bedford's "cutthroat" business practices jibe with his expressions of religious faith.

Bedford shrugged off the comments.

"Business is competitive," he said. "I think Scripture quoters — and I'm not — would refer to parables about using your talents, that we each have gifts and are called on to use these gifts to our fullest potential."



Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13786516?source=bb#ixzz0aUTV8U5C

Eliminating the one thing that could help those that are out of work find a job, doesn't make a lot of sense to me. This is the third strike for me. I wanted this company to do well and to carry on the Midwest Legacy, but now I can't see how that will be possible. The revenue premium that YX enjoys wasn't built by handing out a chocolate chip cookie. It was built on service and the dedication of the employees. Open your eyes people.

Open your eyes people.

Things could have been much worse. There's a very good chance the Midwest brand wouldn't have even existed today if it weren't for Republic.

A consultant for Seasbury occassionally posts on airliners.net. Everything he has written over the past 18 months has been spot-on (several months before anything started to become public, he announced that the 717s were going to Mexicana). According to him, Midwest was operating on emergency funding provided by TPG in 2008. The initial plan was to find new investors for Midwest but the amount of capital needed to shore up the airline was enormous with little to no prospects for any type of return. The financial collapse put those plans on hold. Eventually, TPG and Seasbury decided to divest and liquidate Midwest as the situation appeared to be hopeless. Enter Bryan Bedford.

Another 1,000 + people could have been out on the street as a result.

I just don't get all of the hatred and blame being directed at Bedord. He's not the one that destroyed Midwest. Steps should have been taken years ago to reposition the airline to better handle changing economic and competitive environments.

I just don't get all of the hatred and blame being directed at Bedord. He's not the one that destroyed Midwest. Steps should have been taken years ago to reposition the airline to better handle changing economic and competitive environments.

I am with you 100% on this Blue...In other posts I have wondered why TH doesnt get more of the hate. As an outsider, but frequent flyer of Midwest I see that they are re-introducing cities to MKE, they have improved the frequent flyer program, they have a pretty good miles redemption program/code share with Delta, adding the Frontier fleet to Midwest routes has been great, they are bringing a large amount of jobs back to MKE, the ground crews that I talk to really like the changes that are being made and personally I have not had a complaint about the service I receive on a plane.

With that, I think Bedford is doing a great job and to be honest I dont follow local news, so the only reason he made the comments about MKE not being a destination city is from this board...So I am not sure that they really would have had that big of an impact on utilization of the airline.

In my view Midwest has a huge advantage on Airtran (most of which I mention above) and look forward to the coming year or two to see how it shakes out.

I am with you 100% on this Blue...In other posts I have wondered why TH doesnt get more of the hate. As an outsider, but frequent flyer of Midwest I see that they are re-introducing cities to MKE, they have improved the frequent flyer program, they have a pretty good miles redemption program/code share with Delta, adding the Frontier fleet to Midwest routes has been great, they are bringing a large amount of jobs back to MKE, the ground crews that I talk to really like the changes that are being made and personally I have not had a complaint about the service I receive on a plane.

With that, I think Bedford is doing a great job and to be honest I dont follow local news, so the only reason he made the comments about MKE not being a destination city is from this board...So I am not sure that they really would have had that big of an impact on utilization of the airline.

In my view Midwest has a huge advantage on Airtran (most of which I mention above) and look forward to the coming year or two to see how it shakes out.

Does Midwest have an advantage over airtran? Yes. Is it a huge advantage no. Why? Midwest is not that well known outside of Milwaukee. Last time I was at LAX and I asked for Midwest people looked at me as if I was crazy.
Southwest and Airtran (to a lesser extent) are better known and have more ties with other business communities in the region. It is not unlikely for Southwest and Airtran to tap into the Milwaukee business market via their larger presence in key east coast, midwest and west coast markets. Will it be easy? no but it is possible.

Does Midwest have an advantage over airtran? Yes. Is it a huge advantage no. Why? Midwest is not that well known outside of Milwaukee. Last time I was at LAX and I asked for Midwest people looked at me as if I was crazy.
Southwest and Airtran (to a lesser extent) are better known and have more ties with other business communities in the region. It is not unlikely for Southwest and Airtran to tap into the Milwaukee business market via their larger presence in key east coast, midwest and west coast markets. Will it be easy? no but it is possible.

There was another thread that discussed the branding issues that Midwest/Frontier is going to have to resolve in order to be successful...From what I remember the thinking is that Frontier is much more well known on the West Coast and western Midwest, whereas Midwest is much better well known on the East coast and easter Midwest...very complimentary, but they have a huge task figuring out how to cross pollinate in order to create the best branded airline coast to coast.

Branding also seems to be a re-occurring topic over on airliners.net, with some great insider thoughts on what is going to happen.

SWA is a dominant airline, no doubt about it and Airtran is working hard in MKE and I am going to enjoy watching what happens in MKE over the next year or two because it is going to be great for the consumer...and that is who I care about.

There was another thread that discussed the branding issues that Midwest/Frontier is going to have to resolve in order to be successful...From what I remember the thinking is that Frontier is much more well known on the West Coast and western Midwest, whereas Midwest is much better well known on the East coast and easter Midwest...very complimentary, but they have a huge task figuring out how to cross pollinate in order to create the best branded airline coast to coast.

Branding also seems to be a re-occurring topic over on airliners.net, with some great insider thoughts on what is going to happen.

SWA is a dominant airline, no doubt about it and Airtran is working hard in MKE and I am going to enjoy watching what happens in MKE over the next year or two because it is going to be great for the consumer...and that is who I care about.
Frontier is not that well known on the west coast and Midwest is not that well known on the east coast either. The east coast is dominated by Delta, Jet Blue, US Air and Airtran. The west coast is dominated by Alaska, Southwest, United, JetBlue and Virgin America. No one on the west coast is thinking about Frontier. They don't have any focus cities or hubs on the west coast. Remember when Frontier tried SFO-LAX?? How did that work out?? All Frontier has is Denver.