With the very visible presence of Midwest in Wisconsin, northern Il, and at MCI, the restructuring picture has become a very emotional situation. Customers have genuinely loved the company; they now feel abandoned and hurt.

Like most carriers, some very unpleasant management decisions are being made, for the viability of the company. With Tim Hoeksema at the helm for so many years, he is the "face" of the company. Bear in mind, however, that he is an employee. At this stage, the impending changes are obviously as recommended by Seabury and TPG, but publicly seen as implemented by Hoeksema and company. Keep in mind that Hoeksema's roots are as a pilot. He has been there since the beginning and wants the company to keep flying.

All of the announced changes are strictly business decisions, and hopefully, good ones. Time will tell. If oil prices hold or continue to drop and then stabilize, the economy will start to rebound, as will this industry. The commercial aviation industry will never return to what it once was, but hopefully it will improve from what it will soon be.