Per the company memo posted over at airlines.net, the 319s will also be flying some yet to be announced new routes out of MKE. Also cookies will be served on board the F9 planes out of MKE.
Programs: United 1k, Midwest Miles, VX eleVAte, Hilton Diamond VIP
Posts: 1,226
Quote:
Originally Posted by kannon99
Per the company memo posted over at airlines.net, the 319s will also be flying some yet to be announced new routes out of MKE. Also cookies will be served on board the F9 planes out of MKE.
Direct TV will be available on the A319s to Midwest customers as well. It remains to be seen if the E190s will have this feature, especially since some will be flying Frontier routes.
As for up-coming route announcements, I wouldn't fall over in shock if FLL is among the additions. It's the only Florida station not currently served by both Frontier and Midwest.
__________________ If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
It looks like YX 606 is still listed as a 717, at least through my 1/9/2010 flight TPA-MKE. Is this going to change to 319 or E190, or stay as a 717? I know the 717s are supposed to be gone before 2010, but the reason I ask is that they did update the 7:30 pm flight to the 319, but not 11:40 am flight? Wouldn't they have done both at the same time if they were going to do it?
It looks like YX 606 is still listed as a 717, at least through my 1/9/2010 flight TPA-MKE. Is this going to change to 319 or E190, or stay as a 717? I know the 717s are supposed to be gone before 2010, but the reason I ask is that they did update the 7:30 pm flight to the 319, but not 11:40 am flight? Wouldn't they have done both at the same time if they were going to do it?
Thanks, and sorry if this is a dumb question.
The dust is still settling and things are not set in stone. You will likely see a different aircraft because the 717s are supposed to be gone by the end of the year.
Alright...I havent been on this board that long, but this whole thing about how Midwest has fallen is getting a bit old...I have worked for a couple of organizations that are definitely not what they were, but do not hold the animosity that some on this board do...Look, it was Midwest leadership that was ill prepared for 9/11 and the rising oil prices of the last ~10 years...It was Midwest leadership that decided against going with AirTran and went with TPG/NWA instead...The same Midwest leadership that built this great organization that everyone talks about having fallen from where they knew it.
Now everyone can argue about the horrible things that TPG did to Midwest, but the reality is that it was probably necessary (no one knows for sure as it was a private company at that point), otherwise Midwest might not exist at all, as who knows whether that leadership team that built Midwest would have been able to make the tough decisions that TPG made.
As a consumer the service cuts were not welcome and am happy to see that someone has come along that is expanding service out of milwaukee...I like Midwest because of the ability to redeem Midwest Miles on NWA to anywhere in the world, which is not available on Airtran.
Sooo, while I feel the pain of employees who look at Midwest as a shell of what it once was (maybe even just a wrapper of what it once was)...The rest of us on this board probably have been in the same situation and have moved on to newer and better opportunities...We are looking at Midwest with hope that it brings more availability to the business travelers in Milwaukee.
Alright...I havent been on this board that long, but this whole thing about how Midwest has fallen is getting a bit old...I have worked for a couple of organizations that are definitely not what they were, but do not hold the animosity that some on this board do...Look, it was Midwest leadership that was ill prepared for 9/11 and the rising oil prices of the last ~10 years...It was Midwest leadership that decided against going with AirTran and went with TPG/NWA instead...The same Midwest leadership that built this great organization that everyone talks about having fallen from where they knew it.
Now everyone can argue about the horrible things that TPG did to Midwest, but the reality is that it was probably necessary (no one knows for sure as it was a private company at that point), otherwise Midwest might not exist at all, as who knows whether that leadership team that built Midwest would have been able to make the tough decisions that TPG made.
As a consumer the service cuts were not welcome and am happy to see that someone has come along that is expanding service out of milwaukee...I like Midwest because of the ability to redeem Midwest Miles on NWA to anywhere in the world, which is not available on Airtran.
Sooo, while I feel the pain of employees who look at Midwest as a shell of what it once was (maybe even just a wrapper of what it once was)...The rest of us on this board probably have been in the same situation and have moved on to newer and better opportunities...We are looking at Midwest with hope that it brings more availability to the business travelers in Milwaukee.
Well put blucys.... I've been laid off once in my life and it was not fun. I didn't lay blame on anyone. I moved on with more education and a better job. One door closes another opens. In my case it took almost 5 years for that next door to open. Dwelling on how poorly managed the company was that laid you off gets you nowhere. In my case the company that laid me off eventually went out of business. With that said, I was hoping the 319's would be in Midwest livery but I guess that will never happen.
Alright...I havent been on this board that long, but this whole thing about how Midwest has fallen is getting a bit old...I have worked for a couple of organizations that are definitely not what they were, but do not hold the animosity that some on this board do...Look, it was Midwest leadership that was ill prepared for 9/11 and the rising oil prices of the last ~10 years...It was Midwest leadership that decided against going with AirTran and went with TPG/NWA instead...The same Midwest leadership that built this great organization that everyone talks about having fallen from where they knew it.
Now everyone can argue about the horrible things that TPG did to Midwest, but the reality is that it was probably necessary (no one knows for sure as it was a private company at that point), otherwise Midwest might not exist at all, as who knows whether that leadership team that built Midwest would have been able to make the tough decisions that TPG made.
As a consumer the service cuts were not welcome and am happy to see that someone has come along that is expanding service out of milwaukee...I like Midwest because of the ability to redeem Midwest Miles on NWA to anywhere in the world, which is not available on Airtran.
Sooo, while I feel the pain of employees who look at Midwest as a shell of what it once was (maybe even just a wrapper of what it once was)...The rest of us on this board probably have been in the same situation and have moved on to newer and better opportunities...We are looking at Midwest with hope that it brings more availability to the business travelers in Milwaukee.
Understood.
You are the definition of the American Society in 2009. You are going to get the airline you wanted in MKE. Seat down, shut up and stop whining.
I don’t think I need to prove my position here as a loyalist to Midwest. Watching the changes and struggles at the company in recent years have not been easy, nor has it been easy sometimes to defend them. With the Republic sale and the likely surrender of the YX certificate, to say things are changing is an understatement.
With the Republic purchase, compounded by the failure of the unions to integrate, it seems likely that the full contingent of Midwest pilots and flight attendants will be out of work. As a result of prior downsizing, the remaining crews are the most senior, all or most of which have 15, 20 or more years of service. It’s really a shame, and I understand where the anger and loss comes from.
However, the harsh reality is this.
Do the vast majority of Midwest customers care who if their flight is flown by Midwest, Republic or Frontier pilots? Absolutely not.
Do the vast majority of Midwest customers choose Midwest because the inflight crews provide better service? Nope.
Do the vast majority of Midwest customers care what airline operates their flight? Nope.
I take absolutely no pleasure in saying any of those things. And the employees who gave it their all for years at Midwest, some of whom are or will now be out of work, don’t deserve what is happening to them. But it doesn’t change those three facts.
What are the primary buying decision factors for most travelers?
Competitive fares
Frequent flyer programs, including elite status benefits
Frequent flights
Nonstop flights
Corporate contract
The changes in onboard product which the Airbus hearken back to the first few years of Saver when all seats were coach, but with the addition of seatback inflight entertainment. I recognize that for some the lack of a premium section is a showstopper, but for the large majority of customers it is not. And I think it’s premature to assume no further onboard adjustments are coming.
Getting capacity into the bursting-at-the-seams MKE leisure routes is job one, and they are hobbling that together quickly. As such, what we see on the immediate horizon is not necessarily representative of what will be when the dust settles.
When it comes down to it, next to nobody is going to delibrately avoid Midwest because some employees are getting let go. Harsh but true.
Location: The views I express here are not necessarily supported by Republic Airways Holdings, Republic Airlines or its codeshare partners, nor do I represent their views and/or opinions.
Posts: 574
Quote:
Originally Posted by knope2001
With the Republic purchase, compounded by the failure of the unions to integrate, it seems likely that the full contingent of Midwest pilots and flight attendants will be out of work. As a result of prior downsizing, the remaining crews are the most senior, all or most of which have 15, 20 or more years of service. It’s really a shame, and I understand where the anger and loss comes from.
knope I have to tell you that the integration hasn't failed. Both unions (well AFA and ALPA are seeing it IBT's way) agreed to wait to start the integration after the F9 aquisition.
Knope is right, no one cares who fly's or services the airplane. People in Milwaukee and Kansas City were willing to pay a little more to fly "Midwest." Frequent flyers are not willing to do that anymore. And all the recreational flyers who may have known the thousands of local freinds and family members who were replaced at "Midwest" will avoid them. This Republic experiment will not last, but we will remember the great little airline that was, not this cheap replacement. I have booked away from "Midwest" for months and I am not alone. Why would anyone fly on "Midwest" if they have a choice?
I spoke with a Midwest rep yesterday, as one of my upcoming flights has been changed from an E190 to an A319. The rep explained that "as of right now" there will be no signature seating on the A319's. This made it sound like the A319's may eventually get signature seats (either that... or she didn't know).
She also mentioned that meals (and cookies) will still be served, and in-flight entertainment (live TV / movies) WILL be available for a charge once onboard.
Programs: United 1k, Midwest Miles, VX eleVAte, Hilton Diamond VIP
Posts: 1,226
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyYX
I was hoping the 319's would be in Midwest livery but I guess that will never happen.
Never say never, but I tend to agree with you on this one. Once things settle down, I do think we'll be seeing some sort of brand unification between Midwest and Frontier.
If Republic plays its cards right, they could take the best from both carriers and create an even better airline.
Of course, Republic may maintain the two seperate brands indefinately. However, the "Midwest" name will likely vanish at some point.
__________________ If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
And all the recreational flyers who may have known the thousands of local freinds and family members who were replaced at "Midwest" will avoid them.
I don't doubt there are some who will avoid them out of personal spite, but I highly doubt it's a large number. People have short memories and will do all sorts of things to save a buck, to avoid an unattractive flight time or a connection, or to get their frequent flyer miles. The local media drumbeat of bad Midwest PR and layoff information has been steady for more than a year, but Midwest's loads don't suggest people booking away from them in broad numbers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Straight talker
Why would anyone fly on "Midwest" if they have a choice?
The same reason anyone chooses any airline:
Fare
Frequent flyer credits
Departure time
Nonstop flight
Corporate contracts
Other things like onboard amenities and seating comfort invariably rank way down on the list. There are definitely exceptions to that rule, but time and time again it's been shown that for most people those considerations trump a better onboard experience. That's what has lead most everybody over the years to scrap any coach luxury that doesn't produce a direct revenue benefit.
Are there some people who in the past would have sought out Midwest solely for the more comfortable seats or who no longer will? I'm sure there are some. However those were never a large number, in part evidenced by the increased traffic and increased load factor when the M80's changed from 2x2 to 2x3...it was about fare for those markets, not about seating comfort. For those passengers, Midwest will have to compete not with premium service but by price, schedule, frequent flyer miles, nonstop flights, etc. Which is what they've primarily had to do all along even when the onboard experience was something special.
