MDW Station To Close
Apr 17, 2008 | 8:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: CLE
Posts: 9,816
MDW Station To Close
According to some post in the Q1 loss thread, a.net and other sources, CO has informed the city of Chicago that they intend to close the MDW station at the end of May. I am sure we will see more details in the next day or so.
Not a huge impact, but ORD is just not as convenient.
Not a huge impact, but ORD is just not as convenient.
Apr 17, 2008 | 8:34 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAH
Posts: 13,531
That would be a shame as I always preferred MDW over ORD when going to Chicago.
A few weeks ago, I noticed a significant reduction in capacity from EWR in the summer schedule, so it would not surprise me if the do close it up all together.
A few weeks ago, I noticed a significant reduction in capacity from EWR in the summer schedule, so it would not surprise me if the do close it up all together.
Apr 17, 2008 | 8:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: the American West
Programs: Aiming for less
Posts: 4,070
Well...with fuel prices soaring and too many planes in the sky, something has to give. It must be real tempting for the folks on Smith St. to create an Excel spreadsheet, sort stations by profitability and close all bases not profitable. Given the network externalities, it won't work out quite this way, but you get the picture.
On a historical note...I vaguely remember seeing a sign for the Presidents Club at MDW airport maybe 10 years ago. Was not a member at the time, so did not visit. Is this just my brain remembering too many airports, the old MDW terminal reminded me of SJC and DCA, or or was there ever at PC at MDW?
On a historical note...I vaguely remember seeing a sign for the Presidents Club at MDW airport maybe 10 years ago. Was not a member at the time, so did not visit. Is this just my brain remembering too many airports, the old MDW terminal reminded me of SJC and DCA, or or was there ever at PC at MDW?
Apr 17, 2008 | 8:43 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: 1K, Diamond
Posts: 177
Looks to be true--
http://cbs2chicago.com/consumer/cont....2.702746.html
http://cbs2chicago.com/consumer/cont....2.702746.html
Apr 17, 2008 | 8:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,925
Well, I have tickets to MDW in late June on the Q400. I guess I won't be flying the Q400.
I guess COUA will be focusing all of its flights at ORD.
I just noticed that CO had already changed my flight to ORD - and not marked in RED with the accept button. I was returning from ORD, but for my arrival MDW was better.
I guess COUA will be focusing all of its flights at ORD.
I just noticed that CO had already changed my flight to ORD - and not marked in RED with the accept button. I was returning from ORD, but for my arrival MDW was better.
Apr 17, 2008 | 9:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,394
CO and NW are the only two hold-outs for approving the privatization of MDW... could be realted...
Apr 18, 2008 | 3:29 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,859
That sucks, I think MDW is a much nicer airport than ORD. And its more convenient to get to the loop .
Apr 18, 2008 | 5:45 am
#8
Join Date: May 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: OnePass Platinum, Starwood Platinum, Avis First, Hilton Silver, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,751
This is really too bad. There are many times when ORD is almost shut down and MDW is functioning ontime, so it was a viable option many times for getting out of Chicago.
In addition - flights between CLE-ORD - especially Mondays and Thursdays, are already full. How will the excess load be handled?
Let's hope the silver lining here is that they will restore either XJT or mainline service from CLE-ORD - and remove the ever unreliable CHQ from flying into ORD.
In addition - flights between CLE-ORD - especially Mondays and Thursdays, are already full. How will the excess load be handled?
Let's hope the silver lining here is that they will restore either XJT or mainline service from CLE-ORD - and remove the ever unreliable CHQ from flying into ORD.
Last edited by COFlyerCLE; Apr 18, 2008 at 5:53 am
Apr 18, 2008 | 6:35 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: North by God Royalton, Ohio
Programs: OnePass Ex-Platinum now dirtinum
Posts: 1,054
Well, thanks for the heads up... I just looked and my November flight was changed to ORD also... without any notification from Continental.
Apr 18, 2008 | 6:42 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Well, I have to assume that the yields for MDW were always way lower than for ORD based on the significantly discounted fares that CO was offering there to compete with WN/TZ. It would be nice to see ORD benefit from the upsizing of the 737 fleet, picking up some bigger planes at rush hour times to help manage the loads.
As for the lack of notification to people, CO is pretty bad about sending out an email saying that the itinerary has changed. But was the res tagged online as changed or just a fait accompli?
As for the lack of notification to people, CO is pretty bad about sending out an email saying that the itinerary has changed. But was the res tagged online as changed or just a fait accompli?
Apr 18, 2008 | 6:43 am
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: CO Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 102
Confirmed by WBBM Newsradio
http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/2024791.php?
"We are no longer able to continue the service to Midway after May 31. The financial performance of the flights coupled with the high cost of fuel has made the losses too great to allow us to maintain the service. Any passengers who are ticketed on Midway flights will be contacted and offered reaccommodation on flights from OHare or a refund. Continental truly appreciates the support that has been shown for us by the community and the local aviation authority."
"We are no longer able to continue the service to Midway after May 31. The financial performance of the flights coupled with the high cost of fuel has made the losses too great to allow us to maintain the service. Any passengers who are ticketed on Midway flights will be contacted and offered reaccommodation on flights from OHare or a refund. Continental truly appreciates the support that has been shown for us by the community and the local aviation authority."
Apr 18, 2008 | 6:44 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLE
Posts: 1,891
Continental Express to cease flights from Midway to Cleveland, Newark
From WKYC.com: 4-18-08.
CHICAGO -- As of May 31, Continental Airlines is ending its Continental Express subsidiary operations between Chicago's Midway airport and both Cleveland Hopkins International airport and New Jersey's Newark airport.
Looks like the high price of fuel...again.
CHICAGO -- As of May 31, Continental Airlines is ending its Continental Express subsidiary operations between Chicago's Midway airport and both Cleveland Hopkins International airport and New Jersey's Newark airport.
Looks like the high price of fuel...again.
Apr 18, 2008 | 10:10 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: OnePass
Posts: 146
NOT good news... oh well, I'll try to enjoy my final flight from MDW on May 28th.
Much preferred MDW over the traffic at ORD.
Much preferred MDW over the traffic at ORD.
Apr 18, 2008 | 10:54 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: A festering pit; a pustule of a fistula set athwart the miasmic swamps of the armpit of the Gulf of Mexico - a Godforsaken wart upon a dark crevasse of the World. (IAH)
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 31,403
As it was served only from CLE and EWR (not IAH), I never even looked into MDW as an option. I know it would have meant more miles/segments, but most of the time, I was looking at ORD as a connection-point anyhow...
Bringing back HOU-EWR would certainly be nice, but I doubt CO wants to get into a fight with WN at the moment.
Bringing back HOU-EWR would certainly be nice, but I doubt CO wants to get into a fight with WN at the moment.
Apr 18, 2008 | 11:00 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869