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

[debster]

Midwest Airlines Cuts Flights? Airline Insider Weighs In
Mick Trevey
Katie DeLong

MILWAUKEE - We will know soon about the Midwest flight cuts.

Midwest Airlines plans to cut routes to save money.

Midwest confirms some employees will learn about which cities will be dropped Friday.

Thursday, TODAY’S TMJ4’s Mick Trevey talked to an airline industry insider about what those cuts could be.

Jay Sorensen knows Midwest Airlines well. He's a former executive, and even says he's the executive who came up with onboard chocolate chip cookies.

Topping his list of predicted cuts: nonstop West Coast routes like Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The reason: Midwest retired their MD-80 planes, and the rest of their fleet can't go that far.

“I think those markets may stay out of Kansas City. Whether they'll connect with Milwaukee remains to be seen. But certainly nonstops out of Milwaukee to the West Coast are gone,” Sorensen said.

He thinks other West Coast routes are good candidates for cuts like Las Vegas, Denver and Phoenix. Those routes have thin profit margins, and in hot weather, they push the limits of how far the planes can go.

Sorensen says Florida will likely see cuts too, like Fort Lauderdale or Fort Myers, but he thinks some cities are almost sure to stay. Like New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Dallas.

“You may see some cuts in those markets in terms of maybe a flight being dropped but those markets are certainly going to stay because those routes are proven money makers for that airline,” Sorensen said.

Even though some information about the cuts might leak out Friday, Midwest’s spokesperson said the full public announcement won't happen until next week.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/25591069.html

Jumping in here to point out this is speculation on Sorensens part. Not saying that some of that doesn't seem logical, but it is not the final word direct from Midwest.

Hopefully Midwest will release some news today.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thank You for Your Continued Support
As you've likely heard and read, Midwest Airlines, like all other airlines, is facing tremendous challenges caused by fuel prices. As we reshape the airline to adapt to this new environment, ...

That was the standard monthly email to frequent flyers. Frustrating as it really told us nothing!

 

[Inkmahm]

Jumping in here to point out this is speculation on Sorensens part. Not saying that some of that doesn't seem logical, but it is not the final word direct from Midwest.

Hopefully Midwest will release some news today.

"Even though some information about the cuts might leak out Friday, Midwest’s spokesperson said the full public announcement won't happen until next week."

I took that to be someone other than Sorensen as he is not a "Midwest spokesperson."

 

[CarolA]

Midwest Airlines has always done things differently.

And now they have a new standard for differently. AKA as "we don't know where we fly"

IMHO that's not something to aspire to!

 

[twinsplusone]

I was really counting on knowing Midwest's plans and being able to relax about our tickets or to move on and try to find alternative tickets. Now, if someone "leaks" info today it's still just rumor and we can't do anything until it's official next week. Poor decision on management's part. Just get it over with already. I'm relieved that we booked through a TA so she can help me navigate this nightmare. Good luck to everyone in getting to Disney!

 

[ktbugsmom]

Well... I am trying not to be panicked about this. I bought my flights in March for our January 09 trip.

I LOVE Midwest and just flew them to Newark in June. Great employees. Nice flights. My daughters "rave" about big seats (leather, foot rests, etc). We drive 3.5 hours to fly out of Milwaukee non-stop to Orlando. The connection times to Orlando are always great... so I hope they keep something like they have now.

If not - I am not sure what we will do. The flight prices right now are crazy! But, we will get to Disney... maybe we will drive to Milwaukee and then still have a stop - but oh well... And, maybe by January things will pan out. I guess we should all just feel lucky we can still get to Disney, right?

 

[brandylouwho]

I guess we should all just feel lucky we can still get to Disney, right?

Or so I keep telling myself.

Maybe Midwests crappy PR is working in a strange sense...I went from being freaked out by it all, to thinking I will be glad to just be transferred to any flight (no matter how bad the times were), to I don't even care anymore--I will be happy to just not lose the money I already paid for these tickets. Even if I have to turn around and rebook myself at a much higher cost. I just want to get to MCO on or around Dec 14th and home on or before Dec 24th.


I do hope that I am not driving to Orlando this December. But I will if I have to.

 

[ktbugsmom]

brandylouwho,
Funny - I have kind of gone through the same process - ticked, scared, annoyed - hopeful to just get there! Also - I paid about $220 per ticket and I checked out my flights on Midwest and they are now at $650+. Ouch! So - either they are trying to get people to NOT buy tickets (thus blame the cancelled flight on not enough seats sold) or we will still fly that day and I will feel like I got a great deal!

 

[Michelle_R]

Ok, question. I was doing some reading and discovered that the the 717 should be able to fly to Orlando non stop, including the extra fuel that is required should they have to 'circle' the airport for a while. At least according to my calculations it should work (which involved nothing more than some rough figuring) .

If I plug in my departure/return dates the only 717 flight is one that includes a layover in KS. Has anyone out there seen any direct 717 flights?

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I have not ready the entire thread, I apologize.

You DO know that Midwest announced it will layoff 40% of it's employees beginning in September.


Midwest Airlines to cut 1,200 positions
By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 15, 2008
Tina Swenson was 20 when she started working at Midwest Airlines as a ticket agent before eventually taking to the skies as a flight attendant.

Midwest Airlines
By The Numbers
Midwest Air Group Inc. has more than 3,000 employees, including 1,522 based in Wisconsin. Of those Wisconsin-based employees, 611 are losing their jobs. Those Wisconsin employment figures do not count pilots and flight attendants, who typically can live anywhere in the United States and fly out of various airports.
Background
6/25/08: Midwest Airlines to slash fleet, jobs

More Coverage
More merger and airline industry news

Advertisement
But, after 16 years at the airline, Swenson on Monday was looking at the "help wanted" ads. She may be among the 1,200 employees at Midwest Air Group Inc. who will be losing their jobs by mid-September.

"Jobs are hard to find," said Swenson, whose boyfriend also works at Oak Creek-based Midwest Air, which operates Midwest Airlines and the Midwest Connect regional carrier.

That's especially true for airline positions. On Monday, Midwest became the latest carrier to announce major job cuts, as soaring prices for jet fuel, coupled with a drop in air travel, puts airlines in a squeeze. The industry's response has been to cut unprofitable routes, and that means fewer pilots, flight attendants, ground crews, mechanics and other employees.

The Midwest Air job cuts, encompassing around 40% of the company's 3,000-plus work force, come as no surprise.

In June, the company said it was phasing out a dozen MD-80 jets used for charter service as well as regular passenger service to leisure destinations and West Coast cities. The MD-80s, which make up roughly one-third of the Midwest Airlines fleet, use a lot more fuel than the carrier's 25 Boeing 717 jets.

Midwest Air executives later said in meetings with employees that they were planning to ground five of the Boeing 717s, according to union officials. That would cut the entire fleet by about half.

The service cuts will be announced once Midwest Air publishes its fall schedule. That's expected within the next few weeks, spokesman Michael Brophy said.

Nonstop flights on Midwest Airlines from Milwaukee to Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego will be gone, said Vaughn Cordle, who operates AirlineForecasts LLC, an Arlington, Va.-based consulting firm.

If Midwest Airlines has just 20 Boeing 717 jets, it will likely focus many of its Milwaukee flights on large East Coast destinations, such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, said Michael Boyd, who operates Boyd Group Inc., an aviation consulting firm in Evergreen, Colo.

"That's where the people are," he said.

Boyd also expects Orlando and other Florida destinations to remain important markets for the carrier.

Steps to restructure company
The latest job cuts come on top of 380 positions eliminated this spring when Midwest Air hired Utah-based SkyWest Airlines Inc. to handle all Midwest Connect flights, a move designed to save money.

Midwest Air is cutting service and taking other steps to restructure the company and avoid Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company also is seeking steep wage cuts from its union flight crews, but those proposals have run into opposition from the pilots and flight attendants.

In a memo to employees, Chairman and CEO Timothy Hoeksema says the work force reduction, while painful, "is necessary to help preserve the future of our company."

"If we do not make these reductions, we risk failing as a business, all employees will lose their jobs and travelers will have one less choice of air carriers," Hoeksema said.

Paul Sweet has been a flight instructor and pilot for 15 years, including the past eight years at Midwest Airlines. He expects to lose his job and is considering a switch in careers. Sweet is married and the father of three children, all under the age of five.

"It's a hardship on families," Sweet said. "The airline industry needs to figure out how to stay in business without passing all of the costs on to the employees."

Joey Krajewski has been a Midwest Airlines flight attendant for 18 years. She might have enough seniority to avoid losing her job but is worried about the pay cuts of 34% to 56% that the company is seeking from flight attendants.

Swenson, with just five years as a flight attendant, could be getting a layoff notice. She switched from customer service supervisor to flight attendant and found a job that she loves.

"I hope I can continue doing it," Swenson said.

 

[cbjl]

Ok, question. I was doing some reading and discovered that the the 717 should be able to fly to Orlando non stop, including the extra fuel that is required should they have to 'circle' the airport for a while. At least according to my calculations it should work (which involved nothing more than some rough figuring) .

If I plug in my departure/return dates the only 717 flight is one that includes a layover in KS. Has anyone out there seen any direct 717 flights?

Yes, the 717 can fly MKE-MCO nonstop no problem. In fact, they used to have a midmorning flight down on a 717 - it was great.
But, they can't just swap out all of the MD-80s routes for 717s for a couple of reasons besides range:

1. Not enough planes
Grounding all MD-80s along with the rumored grounding of 5 of the 717s would take out about half of their fleet. Even if they keep all of the 717s going, that's still a big cut in planes. They can shift some schedules to try to use the fleet better, but there still won't be enough planes to go around, unless they announce a big surprise acquisition of replacement aircraft.

2. Not enough pilots/FAs
Laying off 40% of the staff means there won't be enough people to fly all of the existing routes.

So, back to your question - I haven't seen any other 717 options to MCO, but the timetable does show a change in aircraft to Tampa, effective in August, which might be a feasible alternative for some if Orlando gets dropped.

Anyone hearing any schedule rumors from loose-lipped employees yet???

 

[Inkmahm]

Ok, question. I was doing some reading and discovered that the the 717 should be able to fly to Orlando non stop, including the extra fuel that is required should they have to 'circle' the airport for a while. At least according to my calculations it should work (which involved nothing more than some rough figuring) .

If I plug in my departure/return dates the only 717 flight is one that includes a layover in KS. Has anyone out there seen any direct 717 flights?

Nope, no direct flights.

 

[Inkmahm]

I have not ready the entire thread, I apologize.

You DO know that Midwest announced it will layoff 40% of it's employees beginning in September.

Well, yes. That's what the rest of us have been talking about in this thread for weeks now. You may want to catch up on your reading a bit.

 

[Inkmahm]

Anyone hearing any schedule rumors from loose-lipped employees yet???

Nothing.

 

[OhMari]

I got a feeling something is going to be announced around 5:00 p.m. That way, we can't call today.

 

[Inkmahm]

I book online, but aren't there customer service people on the phones 7/24?

 

[cbjl]

I book online, but aren't there customer service people on the phones 7/24?

Yes - they are 24/7. I called at about 11:30pm last week (was that just last week?) when my "plane type" vanished in my online account info.

But - maybe they are emulating what comapnies occasionally do with bad earnings news - waiting for the end of business on a Friday to release, hoping many people might be off enjoying their weekend instead of checking the website for new info. If so, I guess they don't know about the DIS!

(sigh) I did think that SOME employee might mention something to a journalist or blogger over lunch. I guess not....

 

[DisOrBust]

I can't believe no one is spilling the beans. My source had the nerve to go on vacation this week,lol. maybe because it will be her last.

 

[McKelly]

I can't believe a journalist hasn't found something yet either. This is big news in Milwaukee, along with the Miller/Coors thing. Maybe the Amber Alert slowed down the hunt for loose-lipped employees (as it should have) and we will hear something at 5:00pm.

 

[DisOrBust]

no i'm guessing it"s Bretts fault.