Midwest Airlines Midwest Miles (Pre-Alignment) - Brand announcement invitation

This morning I received an invitation to the brand launch announcement for Midwest/Frontier (actually it was a save-the-date email-the actual invitation will come by seperate email). Did anyone else get one of these?

The email read "Join as as two airlines become one." Like many big events in the past, this announcement will be held at the hangar on April 13th at 11:00 am.

It looks like April 13th will be a big day.

This morning I received an invitation to the brand launch announcement for Midwest/Frontier (actually it was a save-the-date email-the actual invitation will come by seperate email). Did anyone else get one of these?

The email read "Join as as two airlines become one." Like many big events in the past, this announcement will be held at the hangar on April 13th at 11:00 am.

It looks like April 13th will be a big day.

No invitation here. You are one of the "chosen."

Do you plan to attend?

It will be interesting to hear if F9 is having the same type of event in Denver, with a giant screen set up for a simultaneous reveal.

I didn't get an invite either. Probably because I don't fly as often as you do Blue. But now we know the date is really April 13th and what time it is going to happen!

Very interesting indeed.

So, based on this invite, I'm assuming the event is originating in Milwaukee. Any invites go to any F9 flyers in the Denver area? I guess a live videocast would suffice for that location.

But the fact that they chose Milwaukee is a decent indication that Frontier is the name. If it were going to be a new name, you'd think they would have the announcement at the largest hub for the combined carrier, which would be DEN.

But having the announcement in MKE would give them more good press in Milwaukee, and this is an opportunity to introduce the complete Frontier brand to the folks of Milwaukee. Perhaps they'll announce that the cookies will be expanded to the entire F9 network, and Milwaukee is the best place to announce something like that, too.

We'll see though...it could still be Republic or an entirely new name...but my money is on Frontier at this point.

It's looking like AirTran will not play a role in any of this...they have an event scheduled for the same time exactly a week earlier, when they will be kicking off their official "hub" operations at MKE.

So, based on this invite, I'm assuming the event is originating in Milwaukee. Any invites go to any F9 flyers in the Denver area? I guess a live videocast would suffice for that location.

But the fact that they chose Milwaukee is a decent indication that Frontier is the name. If it were going to be a new name, you'd think they would have the announcement at the largest hub for the combined carrier, which would be DEN.


We'll see though...it could still be Republic or an entirely new name...but my money is on Frontier at this point.



I've heard that there will be a big launch event held at the same time in Denver as well.

I've heard that there will be a big launch event held at the same time in Denver as well.

Details of the launch, courtesy of the Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14808375

Bedford is making the announcement from MKE.

Is the word "One" part of the new brand?

This morning I received an invitation to the brand launch announcement for Midwest/Frontier (actually it was a save-the-date email-the actual invitation will come by seperate email). Did anyone else get one of these?

Nothing yet, although it wouldn't surprise me if something still came. More than once someone else has received a Midwest Miles e-mail and talked about it here, but it didn't hit my mailbox until several hours later (sometimes even the next day). On the other hand Blue, you might have received this based on your contacts to get the FT meetings set up. I'm MME and have been for years, but maybe the invitations are not specific to MME's.

I am definitely glad to hear that 4/13 is planned as a big event. First, I was afraid that 4/13 wasn't really going to be "the big unveiling" people are looking for and expect it to be. If their plans for that date were just about some additional components...not the whole new brand...people would be disappointed and the uncertainty would drone on and on further. But a physical event with invitations isn't just about a couple of mundane details like how YX and F9 miles will be combined to a single account.

Second, they need all the good press they can get, and this kind of event will generate it. It's not just a press release.

Whatever the brand is, I hope they use this as a springboard to push forward beyond all the baggage of the past few years. And I hope they have plenty of money set aside for marketing.

Details of the launch, courtesy of the Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14808375

Bedford is making the announcement from MKE.

Is the word "One" part of the new brand?

I have a feeling "1" is....

"we reveal our 1 promise, 1 vision and 1 goal for the new brand."

Normally those should be spelled out..."one promise, one vision, one goal".

Sounds like a very deliberate use of the numeral instead of the word. Hmmm...

Air1, perhaps?

I have a feeling "1" is....

"we reveal our 1 promise, 1 vision and 1 goal for the new brand."

Normally those should be spelled out..."one promise, one vision, one goal".

Sounds like a very deliberate use of the numeral instead of the word. Hmmm...

Air1, perhaps?

That was exactly where I was coming from. The message seems too deliberate and not just "poetic license."



This would also imply the unification of all entities.

BTW, there is a Christian music radio network that is called "Air 1."

There is also apparently an Italian airline called "Air One," and a charter operation out of TPA called "Air 1Aviation."

It looks like a very popular name.

That was exactly where I was coming from. The message seems too deliberate and not just "poetic license."

I'm very much with you...


There was also an Air1 in the early deregulation days (maybe 83-84?) who flew all-first-class 727's out of a hub in STL to Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Newark and Washington DC. Like everybody else who relied on better service bringing in higher fares, it didn't last too long.

I tried various web addresses with 1 which are airline related...such are fly1.com... and several are for sale.

Maybe 1 could be about First, too. Sounds dangerously bank-ish, though. I get enough of those names all day long at work, and it is sometimes painful to listen to banks in formation trying to come up with a name.

Isn't Air1 associated/owned with/by Air Italia?

Isn't Air1 associated/owned with/by Air Italia?

AirOne merged with Air Italia, or maybe AirOne bought them out of bankruptcy.

Feel special blue, this list was pulled together by some pretty high up people and you were included. Some Denver people would have got a similar email.

I'm glad I was able to send it out. I was afraid I wasn't going to find an internet connection in Louisville.

I have a feeling "1" is....

"we reveal our 1 promise, 1 vision and 1 goal for the new brand."

Normally those should be spelled out..."one promise, one vision, one goal".

Sounds like a very deliberate use of the numeral instead of the word. Hmmm...

Air1, perhaps?

Someone on airliners.net said "One Republic". That got me thinking.

Someone on airliners.net said "One Republic". That got me thinking.


Knowing BB, maybe "OneNationUnderGod" :D


Wow...I just made my first cynical post on FT! Wow! That felt good!

The Business Journal of Milwaukee refers to a report two weeks ago from a Republic VP (Ian Arthur?) that the brand will be either Midwest or Frontier.

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/03/29/daily66.html?ed=2010-04-02&ana=e_du_pub

After today, I'm not so sure.

A question for MostlyAir...Right now, about how many people do know the final decision?

Feel special blue, this list was pulled together by some pretty high up people and you were included. Some Denver people would have got a similar email.

I'm glad I was able to send it out. I was afraid I wasn't going to find an internet connection in Louisville.

Thanks Mostly Air! Please pass along my thanks and appreciation to whomever was responsible for adding my name to the list. Hopefully I can thank them in person on the 13th.

Thanks Mostly Air! Please pass along my thanks and appreciation to whomever was responsible for adding my name to the list. Hopefully I can thank them in person on the 13th.

Blue, if you are able to attend, we will count on you to provide your usual great account here on the board.

Hope that you have an outstanding time and are able to leave the proceedings with a truly good feeling about the future of _________________ Airlines.

"we reveal our 1 promise, 1 vision and 1 goal for the new brand."
I fear you're right; it would be sad if marketing nonsense prevailed rather than a 'proper' name.

In Britain we had a merged train franchise rebrand itself as "One Railway" and of course it is a silly name, not to mention the confusing announcements: "The eleven forty One train will depart..." The name was ditched after only a couple of years: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7144012.stm

The Denver Post reports the results of the customer and employee surveys:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14811266

The Denver Post reports the results of the customer and employee surveys:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14811266

Republic is under no obligation to reveal details about the survey responses.

Of course they'll claim it was a dead heat...adds to the suspense of the upcoming announcement.

This article just used the word "one promise, one vision, one goal" instead of 1 promise, 1 vision, 1 goal. Who knows how the original actually read.

I'm sticking by my prediction that Frontier is the emerging name.

Republic is under no obligation to reveal details about the survey responses.

Of course they'll claim it was a dead heat...adds to the suspense of the upcoming announcement.

This article just used the word "one promise, one vision, one goal" instead of 1 promise, 1 vision, 1 goal. Who knows how the original actually read.

I'm sticking by my prediction that Frontier is the emerging name.

If what you think is true, then why have Bedford come to Milwaukee to make the announcement? I don't believe the story that Milwaukee was a shorter trip either.... Sorry Mostlyair :)

If what you think is true, then why have Bedford come to Milwaukee to make the announcement? I don't believe the story that Milwaukee was a shorter trip either.... Sorry Mostlyair :)

Yeah, I don't buy the "shorter trip" either.

Most logical reason that Milwaukee was chosen is that they have a hangar there, which could be useful if they are revealing the new identity using an aircraft.

Plus, the F9 brand needs more "help" in Milwaukee than it does in Denver, where it's already established. If Frontier is the new brand, Milwaukee is definitely where you want to center your marketing efforts.

I'm also not buying the notion that "one" or "1" are part of the new brand. The new A320s that are coming online even this week continue to be painted in F9 colors (and painting a large jet is not a small expense), while the new Embraers are being painted in Republic colors.

I can see a scenario where Frontier is the emerging mainline brand, while Republic-branded aircraft provide the regional feed.

We'll have to wait and see what reality brings, though. My predictions are just educated guesses.

Most logical reason that Milwaukee was chosen is that they have a hangar there, which could be useful if they are revealing the new identity using an aircraft.

Plus, the F9 brand needs more "help" in Milwaukee than it does in Denver, where it's already established. If Frontier is the new brand, Milwaukee is definitely where you want to center your marketing efforts.

I'm also not buying the notion that "one" or "1" are part of the new brand. The new A320s that are coming online even this week continue to be painted in F9 colors (and painting a large jet is not a small expense), while the new Embraers are being painted in Republic colors.

I can see a scenario where Frontier is the emerging mainline brand, while Republic-branded aircraft provide the regional feed.

We'll have to wait and see what reality brings, though. My predictions are just educated guesses.

Hoss, there is that account from the Denver Post, which has Ian Arthur stating that the brand will be either Frontier or Midwest...not Republic and not an entirely new identity.

I am now ruling out anything like Air One, as there are just too many other entities out there with the same or similar name.

Your reasoning does make some sense, but, somehow, "harmonization" is still being given lots of play in communications, as well as "one." I do not believe that the use of these words is without some purpose and intent, even if they will just be used in some way for promotion and ad campaigns.

If what you think is true, then why have Bedford come to Milwaukee to make the announcement? I don't believe the story that Milwaukee was a shorter trip either.... Sorry Mostlyair :)

It's the most convenient place for Bedford and Fornaro to meet :p

It's the most convenient place for Bedford and Fornaro to meet :p

At this point in time anything's possible.

If what you think is true, then why have Bedford come to Milwaukee to make the announcement? I don't believe the story that Milwaukee was a shorter trip either.... Sorry Mostlyair :)

Wow..I'm really getting slammed for my convenience theory. :(

MKE is probably the better place to do an unveiling if they were going to do one because of the hangar. Even if they did have a hangar in DEN it would be really inconvenient, because those hangars are really out of the way. The MKE hangar is right off the highway. They do have a nice size hangar in IND, BB pointed it out to me when I got the chance to sit next to him on a trip to IND. But they would probably prefer to have the announcement in one of their hubs so MKE is the best choice. I guess I walked myself into another convenience theory. :D

BB pointed it out to me when I got the chance to sit next to him on a trip to IND.

You got to sit next to BB? I would have thought you'd be sitting on his lap. :D:D:D:D

I can see a scenario where Frontier is the emerging mainline brand, while Republic-branded aircraft provide the regional feed.

I like the idea of the regional feed maybe branded as "Frontier Connect." This would allow them to keep part of the Midwest name (kind of). I wonder where they are going to determine the split between regional and mainline? E190 as mainline and E170 as regional? Or are they going to include the E170's as mainline?

I like the idea of the regional feed maybe branded as "Frontier Connect." This would allow them to keep part of the Midwest name (kind of). I wonder where they are going to determine the split between regional and mainline? E190 as mainline and E170 as regional? Or are they going to include the E170's as mainline?

I wouldn't consider an E170 a regional jet even though it is in the name. The way that I define regional is if I can actually stand up in it without cranking my head.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/1/8/8/1266881.jpg
Republic E170 flying for Frontier, before they canceled the contract.

I can see them keeping E170 as mainline since that is how they are considered now. I am still wondering how they are planning on handling the 135s/145s if they will be under Frontier or run as a regional feed ala Lynx or Midwest Connect.

This morning I received an invitation to the brand launch announcement for Midwest/Frontier (actually it was a save-the-date email-the actual invitation will come by seperate email). Did anyone else get one of these?

The email read "Join as as two airlines become one." Like many big events in the past, this announcement will be held at the hangar on April 13th at 11:00 am.

It looks like April 13th will be a big day.

No invites to employees

No invites to employees

I'm 99% sure that employees are invited, just don't know if that announcement has been sent out yet. The purpose of the brand launch is for employees first in DEN, MKE and IND. However, not quite sure if the meetings are at the same or different times then the "delegation" meetings.

I like the idea of the regional feed maybe branded as "Frontier Connect." This would allow them to keep part of the Midwest name (kind of). I wonder where they are going to determine the split between regional and mainline? E190 as mainline and E170 as regional? Or are they going to include the E170's as mainline?

It is interesting that they are creating smaller and smaller planes that we are still willing to consider 'mainline'. Part of that is just the technology that has been applied to make these smaller planes feeler larger.

No invites to employees

I'm 99% sure that employees are invited, just don't know if that announcement has been sent out yet. The purpose of the brand launch is for employees first in DEN, MKE and IND. However, not quite sure if the meetings are at the same or different times then the "delegation" meetings.

All employees are invited. Its been on the intranets for a while now.They must RSVP by 4/8. Each one has a different start time. DEN and MKE are in the morning and IND is in the evening. DEN will be with IA and MKE is with BB. IND is with senior management.

I'm 99% sure that employees are invited, just don't know if that announcement has been sent out yet. The purpose of the brand launch is for employees first in DEN, MKE and IND. However, not quite sure if the meetings are at the same or different times then the "delegation" meetings.

On 13 April the Main Offices of Midwest move over from Howell Ave to the Hangar at Mitchell to sell off the Main Vein and consolidate into smaller HQ.

Whatever the "new" name, I'm confident we'll see it here before Tuesday the 13th!!

DEN will be with IA and MKE is with BB. IND is with senior management.

I think this is a sign that Frontier may be the final choice. Have the leader go into the "losing" side and tell it how it is, then tell them how the combined carrier will become better as a whole. Send Ian to rally his following in Denver around Frontier and announce a big sale to celebrate.

Whatever the new brand is, I'm hoping they'll be able to expand beyond the traditional service areas of both former component carriers. This is kind of exciting!

I think this is a sign that Frontier may be the final choice. Have the leader go into the "losing" side and tell it how it is, then tell them how the combined carrier will become better as a whole. Send Ian to rally his following in Denver around Frontier and announce a big sale to celebrate.

I believe that some are reading to much into the location of certain leaders for this announcement...Fact remains that BB named Milwaukee to be the main operative center for the "branded" operations a few months ago, mainly because of the hangar that Midwest owned, but also because of the tax breaks that Milwaukee county and the state were able to package together, which made Milwaukee a much more attractive place than Denver (financially).

I believe BB is going to Milwaukee because of this...Denver is a huge hub for the newly named combined airline, but I believe the CEO should go where most of his employees are going to be and that is Milwaukee.

I believe BB is going to Milwaukee because of this...Denver is a huge hub for the newly named combined airline, but I believe the CEO should go where most of his employees are going to be and that is Milwaukee.

Has MCI been forgotten for next Tuesday?

Has MCI been forgotten for next Tuesday?

Not forgotten, just not included. MCI is not the home of Frontier/Midwest/Republic; however it is a hub. If they included MCI then they may have to consider including OMA or possibly DCA.

Article published in today's Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/04/12/story1.html

Chocolate chip cookies vs. Larry the lynxFinding single identity for Midwest, Frontier all about reputations

The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Rich Rovito

After months of speculation, the fate of the Midwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines brands is about to be determined.

Details about the move to combine Midwest, long touted as Milwaukee’s “hometown” airline, and Frontier into a single brand are expected to be revealed April 13 by the airlines’ parent company, Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings Inc. Republic purchased Midwest and Frontier in separate deals last year.

Ian Arthur, Republic vice president of branding and marketing, recently told The Denver Business Journal, a sister publication of The Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee, that Republic will select either Frontier or Midwest as the name and that no other options are under consideration.

Republic spokesman Carlo Bertolini declined to say this week whether a name other than Midwest or Frontier is being considered.

The announcement could be the death knell for the Midwest brand. The Oak Creek-based airline built its reputation by offering business travelers an array of unique amenities, including complimentary gourmet meals, wine and champagne, wide leather seats and baked-on-board chocolate chip cookies. Nearly all of those amenities, with the exception of the cookies, have disappeared in recent years due to the airline’s on-again, off-again financial struggles.

The Midwest Airlines brand that attracted loyal supporters has disappeared and the Frontier brand has little presence in the local market, thus creating a dilemma for Republic when it comes to marketing the airlines to Milwaukee-area travelers, said Jay Sorensen, operator of IdeaWorks, a Shorewood airline consulting firm.

“Whatever Republic does is almost irrelevant,” said Sorensen, a former Midwest Airlines marketing manager. “In the Milwaukee market, they are essentially starting from the beginning.”

The deterioration of the Midwest brand has made it an “albatross” for Republic, Sorensen said.

The Midwest brand began to change following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States when a subsequent downturn in air travel forced the airline to cut back on some of its offerings. But the airline remained unique enough to give it a competitive advantage and it garnered widespread community support as it fought off a hostile takeover in 2007 by rival AirTran Airways.

Midwest instead accepted a $452 million buyout from TPG Capital, backed by a passive investment from Northwest Airlines, which since has been merged with Delta Air Lines. In July 2009, Midwest changed ownership again when Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings purchased the airline in a $31 million deal.

After fighting off AirTran’s takeover bid, Midwest’s financial fortunes took a turn for the worse. Blaming sky-high fuel costs, Midwest reduced the size of the airline, slashed jobs, dropped routes and grounded some aircraft and returned others to the manufacturer.

Nonetheless, Midwest continues to have more than 1.1 million frequent fliers, Bertolini said. “We’re definitely not starting from scratch.”

The frequent flier figure proves that loyalty to the Midwest brand remains strong.

“We recognize it’s not a blind love,” Bertolini said. “There’s a lot more than the name. You have to fulfill the promises behind the name.”

Bertolini admitted that some of the frustration with Midwest among consumers stemmed from service cuts. He noted that many of the routes that had been cut have been restored.

Unified brand
Republic is forced to decide which brand, Midwest or Frontier, has more equity. With a minuscule market share — 2.7 percent for February — at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport, the Frontier brand is relatively unknown to Milwaukee-area travelers. In Denver, however, the airline has passionate followers. Frontier supporters have held public rallies in recent weeks in an attempt to save the brand and the animal images, such as Flip the dolphin, Larry the lynx and Sarge the bald eagle, that adorn the airline’s jets.

Republic is faced not only with the task of combining two long-standing brands, it must also work to recapture customers who have felt alienated by Midwest’s dramatic changes in recent years, Sorensen said.

“It’s a branding buffet right now,” he said. “There are some planes with animals on the tail, there are some big airplanes and some small airplanes and cookies are offered on all flights. From a consumer perspective, it is so very confusing.”

Merging Midwest and Frontier into a unified brand is important for consumers, said Barry Bateman, director of General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

“If they can rebrand their product into a unified brand that has a common platform, it’s going to be best for them and best for the airport,” Bateman said. “Right now, it’s not a seamless operation and they know that.”

In developing a brand, it’s important to identify the attributes that set it apart from competitors, said Tom Branigan, president and chief executive officer of Branigan Communications, a Milwaukee public relations and branding firm.

“One of the first things you have to do is assess the marketplace equity of the brand and determine if it is financially viable or wise to keep them,” Branigan said. “Midwest had a pretty compelling brand. That’s the reason it was successful. In an industry as brutal as the airline industry, where margins are tight, it can be something as simple as the cookies.”

Having a clear, unified brand vision is essential, he said.

“You know you can’t be all things to all people,” he said. “You need to determine who your target is.”

Bertolini said a unification of the Midwest and Frontier brands is essential in order to reduce confusion.

“There’s some dissonance with passengers who travel between the two networks,” he said.

AirTran Airways, Midwest’s main rival at Mitchell, is almost certain to benefit as Republic works to combine the Midwest and Frontier brands, Sorensen said.

“This is allowing Milwaukeeans to leap into the arms of AirTran,” he said. “The brand is now known in Milwaukee and it’s consistent and stable. AirTran has really worked hard at this and everything is falling into place for them.”

AirTran is the No. 2 airline at Mitchell in terms of market share and is quickly closing in on Midwest.

“This is a great opportunity for us,” said Bob Fornaro, chairman, president and CEO of Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran Holdings Inc., which operates AirTran Airways.

“Our game plan is simple. We’ve been very, very consistent. The competition is showing a lot of uncertainty and it’s opened the door for us. Them going to one brand, one way or the other, is going to be a positive for us.”

The plans for combining the Midwest and Frontier brands will be unveiled at an event at Midwest’s hangar at Mitchell. Similar events are being held in Denver and Indianapolis, but Republic chief executive officer Bryan Bedford will make the announcement from Milwaukee, Bertolini said.

For additional coverage, see: AirTran Airways continues Milwaukee expansion

I'm sure Jay Sorenson is pleased to see his name and quotes used so liberally throughout the Business Journal article.

What's interesting is that neither the Business Journal nor the Journal Sentinel hardly ever mention how much consulting work he does for AirTran. He's hardly an unbiased observer in this whole saga.

Was Michael Boyd not available for comment???

I'm sure Jay Sorenson is pleased to see his name and quotes used so liberally throughout the Business Journal article.

What's interesting is that neither the Business Journal nor the Journal Sentinel hardly ever mention how much consulting work he does for AirTran. He's hardly an unbiased observer in this whole saga.

Good catch, Blue.

http://www.ideaworkscompany.com/clients/index.htm

Good catch, Blue.

http://www.ideaworkscompany.com/clients/index.htm

In fairness, Frontier is also on that list.

Good catch, Blue.

http://www.ideaworkscompany.com/clients/index.htm

+1. He's also a former employee who in my opinion has displayed a very jaded outlook for many years about his former company.


I certainly agree that there are aspects of the current dual brands which are frustrating and need to be worked through no matter what. Mastercard Mondays are wonderful, but not being able to use it on flights sold as Frontier is lousy. Stretch should be available to reserve no matter what airline is selling the flight nor what airline is operating the flight. It should be a seamless process to book FF award travel online no matter who the selling carrier nor operating carrier is. I'm sure some of these things will go away with a consolidated brand. However...I think that the issue is somewhat overplayed by the nay-sayers, too.

Sorenson says:
“It’s a branding buffet right now,” he said. “There are some planes with animals on the tail, there are some big airplanes and some small airplanes and cookies are offered on all flights. From a consumer perspective, it is so very confusing.”

Nearly all major carriers...and some of the LCC's...have signfiicant product differentiation between different aircraft and markets. You buy a ticket on airline X....is there IFE onboard? It varies. Food for purchase? It varies. First class and/or premium section? It varies. Bigger overhead bins or tiny overhead bins? It varies. Served by employees of that airline, or of an alliance partner airline, or a regional airline partner, or of a third-party sub-contractor? It varies. I'm not saying this is a desirable thing, but it is a fact of life at most carriers and nothing unique to YX/F9.

Back to the tone of the story itself. I love how we've had months and months of the media saying that two brands is a horrible mess and it is playing into the hand of AirTran. And now that they are consolidating to a single brand...

Sorenson says:
“Whatever Republic does is almost irrelevant”
"AirTran Airways, Midwest’s main rival at Mitchell, is almost certain to benefit as Republic works to combine the Midwest and Frontier brands"

AirTran's Fornaro says something remarkably similar
"Them going to one brand, one way or the other, is going to be a positive for us"

So let me get this straight. Staying with multiple brands (as they are now) benefits AirTran. Combining the two brands into one benefits AirTran.

Very nice, even handed story.

Very nice, even handed story.

The deterioration of the Midwest brand has made it an “albatross” for Republic, Sorensen said.

LOL...might as well just park the planes and send everybody home. ;)

In fairness, Frontier is also on that list.

Yes, and that should be disclosed as well.

More troubling is the fact that Sorenson has done extensive consulting work for AirTran (he may still be doing so...there was an article not too long ago that made reference to this) but none of this is disclosed to the reader.

Sorenson is portrayed as just an aviation consultant who is watching what is happening in Milwaukee with interest from the sidelines. Perhaps that's true. Equally possible is that Sorenson has a financial interest in AirTran's success in Milwaukee and it benefits him (and his client) to bash the competition. Plus, Sorenson seems to have an axe to grind against Midwest (well before all of the drama with AirTran started a few years ago). To me this appears like a conflict of interest.

Sorenson is portrayed as just an aviation consultant who is watching what is happening in Milwaukee with interest from the sidelines. Perhaps that's true. Equally possible is that Sorenson has a financial interest in AirTran's success in Milwaukee and it benefits him (and his client) to bash the competition. Plus, Sorenson seems to have an axe to grind against Midwest (well before all of the drama with AirTran started a few years ago). To me this appears like a conflict of interest.


Doesn't everyone have a conflict on interest? He's just giving his opinion.

If a newspaper wants a more detailed story they need to interview people on all sides and interests. Then the reading can develope their own opinion.

I think he makes good points in general.

Doesn't everyone have a conflict on interest? He's just giving his opinion.

If a newspaper wants a more detailed story they need to interview people on all sides and interests. Then the reading can develope their own opinion.

I think he makes good points in general.

No, everyone does not have a conflict of interest.

Conflicts of interest are not always bad but they do need to be disclosed. That's how a lot of people and businesses get into trouble.

Sorenson is entitled to give his opinion. However, is it really just an opinion if he is under contract with AirTran and bashes a key competitor of theirs in the media? He has no incentive to paint what Republic is doing in anything other than negative terms. Perhaps the reader would not think so highly of Sorenson's opinions if they knew he was working for AirTran.

The Business Journal could have easily found an aviation expert not connected with Republic or AirTran to provide a more unbiased take on what is occurring. For whatever reason, they chose not to.

The Business Journal could have easily found an aviation expert not connected with Republic or AirTran to provide a more unbiased take on what is occurring. For whatever reason, they chose not to.

Absolutely right. There are plenty of other people with opinions on this. For starters, why not talk to frequent flyers to get their thoughts. There's not one quote from the flying public in this article. Could have also talked to Visit Milwaukee, since they are involved with travelers from other cities.

Heck, they could even read or post on FT to get responses if they are really desperate.

Jay is not the only one who worked at YX. His wife was director of Revenue Management for several years until Greg Aretakis decided it was time to go in a new direction. So, I think that Jay has a huge axe to grind here.

AirTran's Fornaro says something remarkably similar
"Them going to one brand, one way or the other, is going to be a positive for us"

So let me get this straight. Staying with multiple brands (as they are now) benefits AirTran. Combining the two brands into one benefits AirTran.

Very nice, even handed story.

We all know that AirTran secretly has their fingers crossed, eyes closed really tight and rocking back and forth saying "Please let it be Frontier" over and over again. Having the Midwest brand evaporate completely from the MKE market is a wish come true for them.

Frontier makes the most sense. It actually is a great name for an Airline. A lot better than AirTran.