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

[DisOrBust]

Here is an FYI:

I did the "live chat" and the agent told me That it is "doubtful" they will cut Orlando in September, FWIW!

 

[Inkmahm]

Here is an FYI:

I did the "live chat" and the agent told me That it is "doubtful" they will cut Orlando in September, FWIW!

Interesting, but I don't believe the Midwest agent knows what managment is planning to do with their schedule any more than you or I know. Did you ask what they were planning to fly since they have officially announced that the MD-80s will be grounded?

 

[DisOrBust]

No I didn't. It might just be wishful thinking but its the best I can do. I am hoping they won't be rid of all the MD 80s until "later".

 

[DisOrBust]

From the JS article:

He said the restructuring plan, which would seek concessions from jet leasing companies and other Midwest vendors, would provide "a low cost structure to compete in this new energy economy."

Msybe they will be more involved with "jet leasing vs. ownership".

I just can't imagine it would be good business sense to screw (sorry but no better term comes to mind) so many customers. Yes they may be tourists to Orlando but many of us then fly MDW for business. AS my DH said if they cancel us it will be a cold day before we use them for business. Combine flight I can live with but out and out cancel without filing Ch 11 is cruel to its customers.

There I fell better now.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

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

 

[bavaria]

You may want to read this thread

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1870527

 

[OhMari]

I was looking at AirTran flights for my days and you really can't get a direct flight. Everything stops in Atlanta. We would leave at noon, have a 3 1/2 hour layover in Atlanta and get to MCO at 8:30 p.m.

Northwest, you either hop to Detroit or Minneapolis, then maybe another stop. My dh would drive 6 hours to MN vs waiting around.

At least we will know something within 30 days with Midwest.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

The bigger trouble with all this is that no sensible person would buy tickets on the tanking airline, which of course hurts Midwest even more


The above statement I copied from one of those article links.Thanks....I guess I am one of those stupid people Oh well...I am still hoping for the best. If my tickets tank with no refund from the airline or the cc company, I guess I just burned a grand on a bad gamble. Life could be worse....it won't bankrupt me.

 

[Inkmahm]

I was looking at AirTran flights for my days and you really can't get a direct flight. Everything stops in Atlanta. We would leave at noon, have a 3 1/2 hour layover in Atlanta and get to MCO at 8:30 p.m.

Northwest, you either hop to Detroit or Minneapolis, then maybe another stop. My dh would drive 6 hours to MN vs waiting around.

At least we will know something within 30 days with Midwest.

I found a direct flight down that works for me in December, but we have to stop in Atlanta on the way back. The direct flight back from Orlando didn't get here in time for my work schedule.

 

[MoniqueU]

When you guys talk about direct flights, don't you really mean non stop? A direct flight stops and picks up people without you getting off the airplane. A non stop flight gets you from point A to point B with no stopping.

 

[bavaria]

When you guys talk about direct flights, don't you really mean non stop? A direct flight stops and picks up people without you getting off the airplane. A non stop flight gets you from point A to point B with no stopping.

Someone gave that explanation on another thread earlier this week as it seems to be a common misuse of the term on this site (and could lead to miscommunication as the passenger requests a 'direct' flight and is surprised to find themselves landing more than once!)

Of course, they were promptly flamed for posting the defintion, no surprise there.

Personally, I have always appreciated learning things; I didn't know all of this before I started flying regularly, and didn't have the internet to educate me.

 

[Inkmahm]

When you guys talk about direct flights, don't you really mean non stop? A direct flight stops and picks up people without you getting off the airplane. A non stop flight gets you from point A to point B with no stopping.

Yes, I think most of us mean nonstop.

 

[DisOrBust]

Anyone have news?? Anyone have a guess what by "fall" means. Anyone know when MDW fiscal year ends??

 

[OhMari]

Anyone have news?? Anyone have a guess what by "fall" means. Anyone know when MDW fiscal year ends??

I know the Union has to come back with an answer for their pilots within 30 days. I'm betting we hear something by July 15.

 

[DisBoosh]

We just got back from a week in Orlando and had nothing but trouble with Midwest Airlines. They did get us down to Fla. on our scheduled flight (barely), but all 5 of us got bumped on the way home. So, Midwest put us up in a hotel for an extra night, paid our food vouchers & gave us $75 flight vouchers each. Like gluttons, we immediately used those $75 vouchers and booked another Orlando trip for next May. A few days later, the talk of bankruptcy and cancelling MD80s began. So, we're not expecting much out of them, but hopefully they will at least get us on another airline as a last resort? We don't want the refunds, because (with using the vouchers) our tickets came to only $174 each. However, once this next trip is over, we will never fly Midwest again!

 

[CarolA]

We just got back from a week in Orlando and had nothing but trouble with Midwest Airlines. They did get us down to Fla. on our scheduled flight (barely), but all 5 of us got bumped on the way home. So, Midwest put us up in a hotel for an extra night, paid our food vouchers & gave us $75 flight vouchers each. Like gluttons, we immediately used those $75 vouchers and booked another Orlando trip for next May. A few days later, the talk of bankruptcy and cancelling MD80s began. So, we're not expecting much out of them, but hopefully they will at least get us on another airline as a last resort? We don't want the refunds, because (with using the vouchers) our tickets came to only $174 each. However, once this next trip is over, we will never fly Midwest again!

They got off to cheap.

It pays to know the rules.

If this was involuntary bump (i.e., you did not volunteer for the vouchers) then I would call, tell them you are now aware of the regs and see if you can get more!

For anyone else in that situation it pays to know the rules.

Now remember this is JUST involuntary. If they say "we need volunteers for a $100 voucher and you jump on it, that's voluntary and all you get is $100!

http://www.airsafe.com/complain/bumping.htm

Overbooking and Involuntary Bumping on U.S. Airlines U.S. airlines are allowed to overbook flights to allow for "no-show" passengers. However, if passengers are involuntarily bumped, airlines are required to do ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. Most involuntarily bumped passengers are subject to the following minimum compensation schedule:

There is no compensation if alternative transportation gets the passenger to the destination within one hour of the original scheduled arrival.
The equivalent of the passenger's one way fare up to a maximum of $400 for substitute domestic flights that arrive between one and two hours after the original scheduled arrival time or for substitute international flights that arrive between one and four hours after the original scheduled arrival time.
If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the compensation doubles to a maximum of $800.

 

[tgj]

We also just got back from Orlando and had many problems with Midwest. Both the flight out and the flight back were delayed, with the return delayed by over 4 hours. We didnt' pull into our driveway until 3am.... I figure that between DME, security checks, etc, it was well over 12 hours. Now I'm thinking about driving down....

Has anyone driven from MKE to WDW?

How long? How's the drive? Any suggestions?

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I just went on Midwest site and plugged in my days, and the return flight is on northwest. We first fly into Indianapolis, and then the return airplane must be a puddle jumper! It only has 26 seats on it!!! and 1/2 are already taken! I think the pudle jumper is still Midwest. What a headache!

The return date is October 26th, and if you check out the other flights, there are no changes yet, but ours is changed.

Instead of getting in at 2pm, it is now at 7:10 pm with a 5 hour layover in Indianapolis!


This is actually good news for me, because I already booked with another airline, and hopefully I can get a refund! Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hey, I have a question for you guys, do I have to wait for them to call me about the change, or can I call them and request a refund right away?

 

[cbjl]

Princess Vija -
Was it flight #891 that was changed from nonstop to a Northwest via Indianapolis?
Just wondering b/c we're on 891 in Nov, and I haven't seen it change yet...
I guess more might change by tomorrow since it's the start of a new month...
Thanks for the info.