Originally Posted by
MKEbound
I would hope that you realize that the CEO of AirTran
might not know what he is talking about when it comes to other airlines
In fact, this is the very attitude of AirTran's business plan that makes me oppose their efforts to buy out Midwest: they think NO Airline can survive unless they offer the cheapest fares and bottom of the barrel service They can't seem to comprehend that some (not all, but some) customers might want something different, and that "something" is what is offered by Midwest!
You know Tim, I'm a bit confused by your comments of late. In some discussions you have stated that all you want is nonstop routes from MKE, that you could care less about the service on Midwest or any other airline. Now, you're all upset about Midwest "killing Signature Service..." and making broad statements about how the new planes they are acquiring won't have Signature Service when Midwest has promised to grow Signature Service, and even add a section of Signature Service on planes with Saver service.
I want YX to grow, and I want YX to offer more routes in Signature Service, and I have to tell you that I'm pretty impressed with Midwest's strategic moves over the past 18 months. I think they balance what people expect from YX, and what people are willing to pay for. They have launched new cities that make sense - and have hinted that more new cities are to come this year. They are phasing out their smallest planes, the B1900, and adding planes with over twice the seating capacity. They are adding the routes that Signature Service will be offered on, even if that means a cabin with two classes of seating.
When you are flying to places like MCI and DEN on saver service that should tell you something. Signature service is on it’s way out.
I agree with Airtran's CEO when he states that Midwest is putting up a front about signature service.
I do not like when Midwest board members talk about the MKE airport not being underserved.
I don't care if I am on signature service. I was just letting people know (that do like it) that it will not be around much longer.
Midwest's growth plan is too slow. I would like for them to say that they are ordering 60 A320s or 737s and plan to plan to increase their daily departures out of MKE to well over 220 flights per day. I would like to see more frequency to west coast destinations. I would like to see a larger hub.
Althought, I loved the SEA move, SFO move and the North Carolina move, I thought the LA move was stupid though, it is only for a month or two. More and more mainline destinations out of MKE are becoming saver service.
If you read some of my recent posts on the Airtran bidding for Midwest thread you will note that industry analysts (independent of Airtran) have stated that Airtran’s growth plan was conservative at best.
My position has never changed. If Midwest wants to become a larger company I am all for that. But if they want to stay small and put their fate in the hands of outside factors, I find that problematic.