Midwest to ground all MD80's by the fall [MERGED]

[AuntieDis]

My sister & I are scheduled to fly out of Milwaukee 09/01 on Flight 890 & return on 09/09 on Flight 895. Wonder if Midwest considers this summer or fall! We are lucky in that we could leave a day early and come back a day later if need be. I just refuse to give up any of my precious park time. Hate this waiting game!

 

[CarolA]

A couple of thoughts.

1. You don't get to do a lot of picking when you get written over to another airline. You just get a flight on your day....

2.Normally they won't move you to another airline unless they have NO choice. So if they can send you via Kansas City with a five hour layover that's what you are going to get.

It's not ideal, but there it is.

 

[brandylouwho]

[QUOTE/]The same is not true for my October trip to MCO. For that one, I'm hoping Midwest will book us on another airline (Air Tran?) because the costs are much higher than what I paid on Midwest for me to switch us to Air Tran.

That is sort of the way I am leaning right now on my situation, just rebook me (on anything, any times on the same dates--heck even within a day of the same dates) and I'll make it work. Nothing out of MKE is anywhere near as low as I paid for these tix on Midwest. Even driving on to Chicago the lowest prices are at least $100 more per ticket. And the prices from my local airport (Appleton)-ha!

I just gotta relax, forget about it for a while, I am going to WDW, I will get there somehow, it will be wonderful...

 

[rainbowsandroses]

Does everyone think that they will completely eliminate Orlando altogether, or just reduce their flights. I know Orlando is a major leisure market, but it seems that there are A LOT of convention centers around the Orlando area, or would that not be considered "business"?

Someone on another board who is a pilot for Jetblue said that Orlando IS a moneymaker for their airline and they would not eliminate flights there. I am hoping the same is true for Midwest, but honestly I wish they would just decide already.

If the news had come out a week earlier, I would not have booked on Midwest. I LOVE my current flight times and don't want those to change, especially with layovers. With some schedules I have seen, we might as well drive from Chicago because it will take us only about 6 hours more via car than plane.

And if they are going to cease operations, I wish they would just do it so I can get a credit card refund within the 60 days. I feel bad for all the employees who will lose jobs, but I really can't afford to donate $1000 to a failed airline. I hope it doesn't come to that, but this waiting is driving me crazy!

 

[cbjl]

A couple of thoughts.

1. You don't get to do a lot of picking when you get written over to another airline. You just get a flight on your day....

2.Normally they won't move you to another airline unless they have NO choice. So if they can send you via Kansas City with a five hour layover that's what you are going to get.

It's not ideal, but there it is.

Not sure if this was in response to my post, but if it was, I thought I'd clarify what I was trying to say -

I was just theorizing on what possibilities Midwest might offer (if any) from MKE to MCO. Right now, I can't see any currently available options from MKE to MCO southbound through KC on my dates anyhow (I was just dreaming that they would offer one) - but they are offering return flights northbound through KC on 717s. They are, however, already selling flights southbound from MKE to MCO through IND with a change to a NWA flight for the 2nd "leg" (after a 4 or 5 hour layover). Since NWA owns a big chunk of YX(Midwest), and since the new IND airport is opening this fall, I was thinking that this might be a likely re-route for many of us.

Since the local (Milwaukee) news is covering a lot of talk of dropping destinations, and refocusing on business destinations, I'm not sure that we can be all that confident that Orlando won't be dropped.

That's why some of us are looking into buying tickets on other airlines, then hoping for a refund once Midwest releases their new schedule (since they did start to talk about offering refunds if flights are cancelled in some of the interviews today). Because YX so dominates MKE, choosing a different airline for backup tickets (purchasing separately as a "hedge" as Inkmahm did) almost always* means choosing a 1 or 2 stop, or driving to Chicago, so it's not an easy choice. (*although Airtran is still running 1 nonstop)

Many of us in WI are so sad to see our hometown airline stumble like this, so we might be reacting with a bit more emotion and concern than fliers in other towns might...

And if it wasn't in response to my post - whoops sorry for the ramble

 

[Inkmahm]

Since the local (Milwaukee) news is covering a lot of talk of dropping destinations, and refocusing on business destinations, I'm not sure that we can be all that confident that Orlando won't be dropped.

Actually, that's exactly what I've been saying since the beginning of this thread in June. I fully expect that Midwest WILL eliminate their service to Orlando if they truly want to concentrate on business customers only and not leisure customers. That was stated in their original announcement the last week of June and that's when I made my backup reservation with AirTran for our December trip.

 

[Ilovemylife]

If MidWest rebooks you they will probably take advantage of thier interline agreements. In that case you probably won't have to pay, but I am not making any "guarantee".

As to which airlines will be around... I honestly don't expect any of them to QUIT flying (except MAYBE Spirit) I do expect some Chap 11 filings but most airlines just keep right on flying.

The BIG advantage of SW is that since they release that schedule so late they really expect to FLY those flights. (NOTE: SW does not have any interline agreements, MidWest will not be able to transfer you to SW!)

Thanks Carol.

But SW doesn't fly out of MKE and I'm not willing to drive another hour and a half to ORD...when we're already driving 2 to MKE.

 

[Ilovemylife]

That is sort of the way I am leaning right now on my situation, just rebook me (on anything, any times on the same dates--heck even within a day of the same dates) and I'll make it work. Nothing out of MKE is anywhere near as low as I paid for these tix on Midwest. Even driving on to Chicago the lowest prices are at least $100 more per ticket. And the prices from my local airport (Appleton)-ha!

I just gotta relax, forget about it for a while, I am going to WDW, I will get there somehow, it will be wonderful...

Yeah, it was cheaper for us to drive to MKE than it was to fly out of Appleton or Green Bay.

 

[karebear1]

Anyone know how AirTran is looking for the fall?? Are they in the same shape Midwest is?

 

[OhMari]

Anyone know how AirTran is looking for the fall?? Are they in the same shape Midwest is?

Further back in the thread someone mentioned how AirTran is based out of Orlando, so it was suggested, they really wouldn't be eliminating to many of their routes. But it the last 2 weeks, AirTran, has been doing the shuffling of airtimes, adding luggage fee's. I would say, they are a month behind, for what Midwest is doing.

 

[McKelly]

Ugh, my DS just started crying because he overheard me telling my DH that it looks like we might not going in December. (Mother of the Year Award Here!! ) I just checked flights out of OHare and they are almost completely booked, so even if I could get a refund, there will be no place to sit!!! I wish Midwest just would do something so I knew one way or the other!!

 

[leeann32]

Ugh, my DS just started crying because he overheard me telling my DH that it looks like we might not going in December. (Mother of the Year Award Here!! ) I just checked flights out of OHare and they are almost completely booked, so even if I could get a refund, there will be no place to sit!!! I wish Midwest just would do something so I knew one way or the other!!

My kids are worried too I try not to talk about it in front of them , but the oldest is 13 and she hears the talk about Midwest on the news. I just keep telling them that we will try everthing we can to make sure we go. I just wish they would hurry up and let us all know what is being cancelled
We are flying out of MKE on 9/7 - YX 890
Leaving MCO on 9/12 YX- 895

 

[Inkmahm]

Further back in the thread someone mentioned how AirTran is based out of Orlando, so it was suggested, they really wouldn't be eliminating to many of their routes. But it the last 2 weeks, AirTran, has been doing the shuffling of airtimes, adding luggage fee's. I would say, they are a month behind, for what Midwest is doing.

But they haven't announced that they are grounding all of a certain type of plane (MD-80 in the case of Midwest) OR that they are going to concentrate only on their business customers (like Midwest has.) They may still head for bankruptcy, but I don't think they are on the exact path that Midwest is as far as decreasing service to MKE.

 

[tkhkroberts]

According to the article this morning in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a spokesperson from the consulting firm that Midwest hired to help restructuring gives some clues about the furture plans. They will be getting rid of all of the west coast flights which we all expected, and focusing on the East coast. They specifically state that most flights will orginate out of Milwaukee, not routed through Kansas City for these destinations. They also stated that Orlando and other Florida leisure locations are a huge area of business for Midwest and will be around. Good news for all of us booked on Midwest. I have been watching this very closely as we have a trip booked for the end of October.

 

[Inkmahm]

According to the article this morning in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a spokesperson from the consulting firm that Midwest hired to help restructuring gives some clues about the furture plans. They will be getting rid of all of the west coast flights which we all expected, and focusing on the East coast. They specifically state that most flights will orginate out of Milwaukee, not routed through Kansas City for these destinations. They also stated that Orlando and other Florida leisure locations are a huge area of business for Midwest and will be around. Good news for all of us booked on Midwest. I have been watching this very closely as we have a trip booked for the end of October.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=772423

None of the consulting firms quoted in the article are the one that Midwest hired. They are all just "guessing" what Midwest will do, just like the rest of us. Read it again.

 

[DisDarling]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=772423

None of the consulting firms quoted in the article are the one that Midwest hired. They are all just "guessing" what Midwest will do, just like the rest of us. Read it again.

Please don't be rude, it isn't necessary for anyone. Correct or incorrect information, you can state your info and opinion nicely. Thank you!

 

[CarolA]

Please don't be rude, it isn't necessary for anyone. Correct or incorrect information, you can state your info and opinion nicely. Thank you!

I didn't see the post as being rude. Just because they don't agree with you it's not rude.

 

[cbjl]

raw video here:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/home/related/25467924.html?video=pop&t=a

The reporter had a few questions about which destinations will be dropped, and he (Brophy) said that passengers will have to wait to see the new schedule, which will be out in the near future (whatever that means).

Then the reporter asked specifically (I'm paraphrasing here/may not have gotten it word-for-word): What if I'm a passenger with a ticket to Orlando for Christmas and Orlando shows up on that list [of dropped destinations]?

Brophy said that passengers would need to know that in that case they would try to re-accommodate them on another airline or meet their needs as best as possible (??) He immediately followed up with the idea that they aren't the only airline facing this problem, etc. etc., which may be true, but doesn't do much to reassure their customers.

So, not much new there, but I thought it was interesting that reporters are starting to press for more specifics on route changes - and Orlando specifically. Maybe if a few more reporters broach the dropped destinations question head-on, someone at Midwest might get around to releasing a little more info.

 

[McDISer]

raw video here:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/home/related/25467924.html?video=pop&t=a

The reporter had a few questions about which destinations will be dropped, and he (Brophy) said that passengers will have to wait to see the new schedule, which will be out in the near future (whatever that means).

Then the reporter asked specifically (I'm paraphrasing here/may not have gotten it word-for-word): What if I'm a passenger with a ticket to Orlando for Christmas and Orlando shows up on that list [of dropped destinations]?

Brophy said that passengers would need to know that in that case they would try to re-accommodate them on another airline or meet their needs as best as possible (??) He immediately followed up with the idea that they aren't the only airline facing this problem, etc. etc., which may be true, but doesn't do much to reassure their customers.

So, not much new there, but I thought it was interesting that reporters are starting to press for more specifics on route changes - and Orlando specifically. Maybe if a few more reporters broach the dropped destinations question head-on, someone at Midwest might get around to releasing a little more info.

A reporter on WISN Channel 12 interviewed him too and asked about Orlando destinations last nite. Brophy said the same thing. The reporter mumbled after, that he needed to go rebook-and was told to wait a few more days.

Can you image if flights to Florida get dropped all together. It is going to be a mad dash to find anything open.

 

[Inkmahm]

Please don't be rude, it isn't necessary for anyone. Correct or incorrect information, you can state your info and opinion nicely. Thank you!

I wasn't rude at all, but I think you are with that comment.