ATA to pull out of MDW

[Pinnie]

According to the local Chicago news tonight, ATA will be closing up shop at MDW on January 11 Close to 3,000 local jobs will be lost. They are planning on keeping about 60 employees for the "transition" period. Rumor is that Air Tran may pick up some of the gates.

pinnie

 

[inkkognito]

Bye Bye frequent flyer miles...I think we're losing something like 8 free flights.
But that's nothing compared to those poor people who will be unemployed, and worse yet, right after the holidays.
Barb

 

[safetymom]

Barb, how many flights can you take between now and then? That's a shame but you are right about the employees.

I liked my flights on ATA. Still holding my breath about USAirways. I have a couple of free tickets at stake on that airline.

 

[inkkognito]

We've bringing my sister-in-law and nephew next weekend to use up some of the flights...had hoped to go this weekend, but we're going to see "Disney's On The Record" tomorrow. We're going to manage to squeeze in two more trips, and I guess that will be it for ATA. Sad...I even have a little ATA 757 on my desk at work. Flying them every other weekend has made me know their planes as well as my home, and we've even gotten to know some of the gate agents at MCO.
What a waste...I feel like standing at Midway and handing out free tickets!!
Barb

 

[dznyacct]

Barb ~ Would it be possible for you to transfer/sell some of your free flights?

 

[inkkognito]

No time, unfortunately. We were going to send my brother to Las Vegas and arrange something with my nephews and nieces to do a family thing in FL, but we had hoped ATA would stay around a little longer than Jan. 11. Now we're hoping that the Air Tran deal will go through because we might be able to transfer them to the Air Tran program. They added some flights from Midway to Chicago that they say will remain, even if the ATA deal doesn't go through, so even if we lose the freebies, at least we'll still have transportation.
Barb

 

[3AmigosMom]

Just returned last nite and the flight attendant we talked to was not very "hopeful" about her future employment. I felt really bad for her. The other issue that comes to mind and was brought up on the local news here is that if Airtran does take over, not to expect them to pick up all of ATA's same routes. Their hub is Atlanta--meaning not all the non-stop flight choices we are acustomed to with ATA!!

 

[travelbug]

We have ATA tickets from Flint to Orlando in Feb., with a connection at Midway. I just checked our reservations on the ATA website, and they still are listed the same.

Does anyone know how we are likely to be affected by ATA pulling out of Midway? Will Air Tran pick up the flights? Will we be re-routed, so we have a connection somewhere else besides Midway? I'm not sure whether to be concerned or not. I've done tons of flying, but never on an airline going through huge changes. Ironically, this was my first time ever booking ATA.

Think I should call ATA and see what, if anything, they will tell me?

 

[HappyLawyer]

i have a cousin that works for ATA she got a memo saying the 11th rumor is mis information, no decision has been made yet, if it is going to occur it will come from ATA and they will make an announcement and put it on their website

 

[travelbug]

i have a cousin that works for ATA she got a memo saying the 11th rumor is mis information, no decision has been made yet, if it is going to occur it will come from ATA and they will make an announcement and put it on their website

Thanks for the info. Guess I won't worry until I'm given official reason to worry.

 

[Bildmouse]

ATA just announced that they will begin service at Chicago/Gary airport to Indy. Hopefully those with ff miles can use them there with connecting flights in Indy.