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

[CarolA]

Maybe I should have called it their "procedure" instead of "policy" but up until now, Midwest would have offered to book any flight available for you if yours got canceled and would also have offered a full refund if the new flights weren't acceptable to you. That was their "best care in the air" which seems to no longer be there.

Well "best care in the air" may still be there. It's getting IN the air that might be the issue.

The procedure before was done when they had the cash to refund you... From what I have read that is a BIG problem for them right now. IMHO they look very likely to have to file bankruptcy soon. (NOTE; That does NOT mean they won't fly folks!)

 

[cbjl]

I agree that not allowing crzykid to move to the 7:55am flight after her flight was cancelled is a new development.
When Midwest stopped flying that great 9am to MCO on a 717 a couple of years ago, we were allowed to change from the automatically rescheduled (late) flight to an earlier flight without a big problem.
I understand not offering a refund, but when a flight is cancelled, I think offering the customer a little flexibility in choosing which flight to be moved to is not too much to ask - especially when trying to coordinate a connecting flight.

 

[bab31]

I would call again and try a different person- also lots of sugary sweet tones ( not saying you were not nice- saying being extra nice on the phone may get you what you need) to start the conversation off in a postitive enviroment may help, but mostly a different person may do the trick. oh yeah and if they cant put you on a reasonable flight - ask if they can put you on a different airline. Be prepared to explain that you will need to rent a motel room because of the change.

 

[DisOrBust]

According to flyertalk by the end of this week all schedue changes should be made.

 

[OhMari]

According to flyertalk by the end of this week all schedue changes should be made.

What is flyertalk?

 

[McKelly]

According to flyertalk by the end of this week all schedue changes should be made.

I hope this is true, because so far so good for our flights in December!! But they are still listed as MD80s................

 

[Inkmahm]

According to flyertalk by the end of this week all schedue changes should be made.

Link please?

 

[CarolA]

flyertalk is a message board just like this one.

There's no need to link as its just gossip too.. Now once we get a press release or something offical. Until then.....

 

[Inkmahm]

flyertalk is a message board just like this one.

There's no need to link as its just gossip too.. Now once we get a press release or something offical. Until then.....

I was hoping there would be a link there as I can't find anything in the news talking about scheduling being done so soon.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Remember this...

Are Tickets Still Good?
Midwest Airlines passengers who have bought tickets for trips that later change as a result of the company's restructuring plan have several options, said spokesman Michael Brophy. If there's a schedule or aircraft change, passengers can take the trip if it still fits their plans. If a destination or route is eliminated, airlines have pricing agreements with each other that enable them to rebook passengers on flights to the same destination with certain fare classes. If neither of those options works, passengers can request refunds. Midwest plans changes to its fall schedule, but those are still pending.

That was what was quoted from JSonline. (posted earlier in the thread) wonder if that can somehow be worded into the conversations regarding refunds.

 

[CarolA]

I was hoping there would be a link there as I can't find anything in the news talking about scheduling being done so soon.

Well here you go.

"I believe by the end of this week, the MD80 nonstops will be missing from the system for the upcoming seasons, with either connecting flights or direct 717 w/layover in MCI being only available options"
From the current last page of this thread. (paGe 20)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=836643&page=20

Not sure they know anything more then we do.

 

[Inkmahm]

Well here you go.

"I believe by the end of this week, the MD80 nonstops will be missing from the system for the upcoming seasons, with either connecting flights or direct 717 w/layover in MCI being only available options"
From the current last page of this thread. (paGe 20)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=836643&page=20

Not sure they know anything more then we do.

I'm guessing they do. Based on looking at the online schedule for various dates, there are a lot of new flights on 717s added. I can see where a push of the button will delete the "duplicate" flights on the MD-80s and force customers to call to reschedule on one of the new 717 flights.

 

[Inkmahm]

Well, Midwest canceled my March, 2009 flights today. The "seasonal" flight obviously won't be coming back. The last flight out of Milwaukee and first flight in from Orlando is canceled for 2009, too.

I just called and got a refund from Midwest. The employee said she couldn't reschedule me on Air Tran who had flights that I could use. I had to take the refund from Midwest and then book myself on Air Tran. Of course, the cost was more than $100 more for the two of us than what I had paid Midwest.

Now I start the waiting game to see if the Air Tran flights hold up or if I'll be doing the same dance again with them that I just did with Midwest.

 

[Inkmahm]

Instead of a refund do you think they would allow you to switch days without incurring the $100 ticket change fee?

I'm just curious and trying to run the different scenarios through.

I was just offered the chance to change my canceled flights to a day earlier or later from the ones that were canceled. That didn't work for me, either, so I took the refund instead.

 

[Inkmahm]

Time will tell. Keep in mind that they also could accommodate some passengers on other airlines.

I was told tonight that this was not an option. At least, not at my request.

 

[Inkmahm]

I actually just bought tickets a week ago when all this mess started in hopes of catching a deal before prices go up. I booked four tickets at a total of $1033 for our upcoming trip Apr 23 - May 3 in 2009. The ticket prices have already gone up $40each since I booked. I am crossing my fingers that they will keep at least half their flights daily to Orlando using the 717s. If they cancel our flights, then I will take a refund and book a higher priced flight with United taking a stop in Chicago. I don't want to be transferred to Northwest as I don't like their flight schedule. I know I will get screwed over if they file Chapter 7 but I don't think that is likely considering their new ownership.

It's a gamble but I have time on my side right now since our trip isn't until next April. I feel so badly for all you guys flying this fall with Midwest. Best wishes

Check your flights. My March flights were cancelled today.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I just checked and my flights are still there....but it also still says MD80s too. My flights are Apr 23 YX890 @7:55am and May 3 YX891 @12:15pm. I don't know if these are the flights they are keeping or if they haven't gotten to the April/May flight schedules to cancel yet.

I'll keep you posted. If they get cancelled I will reschedule--or refund and schedule-- with United although I am unsure if I will pay extra to fly out of MKE or drive down to Chicago to depart from ORD.

 

[McDISer]

If you try calling Midwest, you are put on hold a long time. I received an e-mail saying I have a change. While I called and waited, I went to the website and IM'd or (live chatted). The Midwest employee could not find any changes. I asked her about Midwest grounding their MD80's fleet, since I am suppose to fly from MKE to MCO. She told me, I would receive an e-mail and a call as soon as they hear something.

 

[Inkmahm]

If you try calling Midwest, you are put on hold a long time. I received an e-mail saying I have a change. While I called and waited, I went to the website and IM'd or (live chatted). The Midwest employee could not find any changes. I asked her about Midwest grounding their MD80's fleet, since I am suppose to fly from MKE to MCO. She told me, I would receive an e-mail and a call as soon as they hear something.

I was on hold less than 10 minutes tonight calling around 6:30 pm.

I didn't get a phone call or an email about my flight cancellations today. I found them myself due to constant review of my booked flights. Go to the Midwest site and look up your itinerary. If you have a change, it will only show a red letter announcement telling you to call Midwest. If your flights are still there your reservation will give you the details which should be the same as you already have.

 

[snels]

When we called about our Jan flights into Central WI, we were given no choice about the changes. We were also told that we would not get a refund.

I see that some of you are getting refunds. Our tickets were non-refundable. What type of tickets did you have?