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

[nikandboys]

"Well, it hasn't been fixed yet. We're flying to Orlando Sept 25th, so our flights were eliminated!

What are we going to do now??!!"


We fly out on 9/26. I went to Airtran on line and got almost same time flights and even paid to pick seats and it was 20dollars cheaper than midwest. Both to/from are non stop. I booked the flight and called midwest and they wil refund $$$. Try Airtran.

 

[karebear1]

For those getting refunds, when are you expected to see them? I booked on my Debit card, and Expedia told me it would take me 60 days until I see it!! I am hoping it is a bit faster than that! I was hoping to use it for our now road trip to WDW.

I got through on Midwest's # finally- Expedia was useless. I know they tried calling, but they just did exactly what I could do on my own. ( I just feel I SHOULDN'T have to do it on my own). I am on hold..... are they giving anyone a hard time for refunds?

Be expecting a LONG holding time. I've been on hold for almost 2 1/2 hours now.

 

[crzykid]

I called the 800 number at 7 and the lady said someone would get back to me. Well I just got my return phone call and let me tell you I am not happy. Midwest wanted to put me on a NW flight that stopped 2 times and left MCO at 6am before it got back to MKE. That was my only option. So I told her I would call back after looking at different flights. She was really pushing a refund. I just booked Airtran for 90each way. So I will call tomorrow and ask for a refund.

The person I spoke to said refunds take no longer than 72 hours to post.

 

[Emmabean2000]

are they giving anyone a hard time for refunds?

My Midwest rep asked immediately if we wanted a refund. No hassles. I did use a credit card, and that is what they were charging back. I did not ask about how long it would take, and am assuming it will be relatively quick! Based on how long the wait times are now, I am happy I called early...

 

[Ilovemylife]

"Well, it hasn't been fixed yet. We're flying to Orlando Sept 25th, so our flights were eliminated!

What are we going to do now??!!"


We fly out on 9/26. I went to Airtran on line and got almost same time flights and even paid to pick seats and it was 20dollars cheaper than midwest. Both to/from are non stop. I booked the flight and called midwest and they wil refund $$$. Try Airtran.

We're flying out of a closer airport (ATW) instead of now driving the two hours to MKE. ATW is only 25 mins away.

 

[cbjl]

There is apparently no such thing as a true loyal customer. cbjl used the term "AirTran takeover" first (here)... there never was an "AirTran takeover". It was an "attempted" takeover. cbjl was mistaken in wording in that message, as I was in my later message.

(And actually, it was after posting that reply that I got to thinking that the takeover didn't go that way and went to Wikipedia myself, to check it out. That's why my correction, at 8:25 am, came so soon after your message at 8:23 am.)

cbjl: Please consider going back and fixing your earlier message, as I have fixed mine.

Sorry for the confusion, Bicker. Most of us in MKE knew that it was an unfriendly & failed takeover because it was a top story for weeks, and in discussions around here, it usually gets a shorthand reference as the AirTran takeover (without qualifying with "unfriendly," "unsuccessful," or "attempted"). You are right, it is not precisely correct, but around here, everyone knows what you mean & it's quicker to say/write . I forgot that people who don't have a long history following the saga of Midwest Airlines might be reading this thread, so I added "attempted" to qualify my use of the word "takeover," so hopefully that will make it more clear for people.

Actually, as frustrated as I am with Midwest's handling of the new schedule right now, when it came down to actually making the decision with the customer service rep, I did keep my flight (new times) in Jan with them, so I'm not sure if that qualifies as being a loyal customer???
I couldn't keep my flight in Nov, as there was no availability - I even asked them to check nearby dates & there was nothing, so I accepted the refund.
I chose AirTran b/c my only other options were:
1. Delta - connecting in ATL & using an MD-80 for 1 leg - no thanks, I don't want to live through more MD-80 troubles (profitability/fuel cost issues, FAA investigation into the Obama emergency slide issue)
2. A connecting flight on United via O'Hare - nope, was $200 extra per ticket
3. Driving to O'Hare or Midway - nope, not for me

So, I chose AirTran & I'm curious to see how they compare.

Since you do have an interest in following airline stories, I am curious if you know any of the history of how TPG handled the Continental acquisition and rebuilding. I really don't know much about it at all, but it might give us some clues about how TPG is going to handle Midwest.

To everyone else working through ticket issues - good luck - I hope you get through the hold queue soon I'm in touch with family members who have been on hold for 3-1/2 hours now - UGH!

 

[karebear1]

3 hours on hold.... and still holding.

 

[kraeurb]

I am fairly new here. But I thought I would share my experience today. I called Midwest right at 8:00 AM. Was on hold 2 minutes. The CSR offered a refund right away and I took it. I asked how long it would take to show up and she said she wasn't sure, but she was processing it as we spoke. She thought a day or two.

I then booked a flight with Delta. I have a layover in Atlanta which I am not thrilled about, but for the 6 of us it was almost $200.00 cheaper and we get there 1/2 a day earlier. So I guess I'm not too upset.

I hope everyone gets a flight they can live with.

Kerry

 

[Duet]

Not sure what to do...

After reading the announcement, and checking the flight schedule, our flights should be ok in November. However, when I went to Midwest's site to check my reservation, I received a message stating that my reservation had changed and to call. We are flying out on the 14th at 6:00am from Green Bay, stopping in Milwaukee - then on the 7:40am to Orlando. Returning the 19th at 12:00pm, stopping in Milwaukee - then on to Green Bay at 3:45pm.

Does anyone have any insight as to the changes to these flight times? I've been on hold for over 1-1/2 hrs - I hate to hold up the line if the change is only a minor one. I wish they had notified us of the change - there are many people needing to rebook or arrange refunds today...I hate holding up the line if I don't have to...

 

[uwmuww]

I've been on hold for over 2 hours.

Our flights were Sept 21 and Sept 28, of course all gone

Our next option is to fly to Tampa and rent a car there. Not a bad option, not great, but an option.

 

[DisDarling]

Ok I was only on hold for maybe 10 mins with Midwest after calling Expedia, and I got a refund. BUT I was told it could take 2 business cycles, meaning up to 60 days! No joke! So I don't know who was told it would be on automatically... but I would be shocked if it was. I am sorry for those who are on hold for hours, maybe just call back. You could be stuck in a que that is being ignored.

Ames

 

[cbjl]

Not sure what to do...

After reading the announcement, and checking the flight schedule, our flights should be ok in November. However, when I went to Midwest's site to check my reservation, I received a message stating that my reservation had changed and to call. <snip>

We lost our flight in Nov, and had the same red message. I would stay on hold if you can, or keep trying that online link for online refunds (which hasn't worked yet today, but maybe they will fix it.)

I think they may have dropped to only 1 (maybe 2?) 717s - I could be wrong, but that's how they handled our Jan. reservation, which we got to keep. The 717 flight times we got in Jan are:
#90 MKE ->MCO 9:20am/1:00pm, #91 MCO ->MKE 1:35 pm/3:25pm

If I'm understanding it right (their timetable is still wrong), this means they dropped 3 MD-80 routes for possibly only 1 717 (although maybe there are more 717 flight times, we just weren't offered any).
The Midwest MD-80 held 131 regular + 12 sig service seats, but the new Midwest class on a 717 will only hold 99 people. Even if they use 3 717s to replace those routes, there still won't be enough seats to accommodate everyone.

Has anyone gotten through in the last couple of hours? I'm still checking with extended family that have been on hold since 8am, and I can't figure out this wait time (4+ hours??)

 

[cbjl]

Ok I was only on hold for maybe 10 mins with Midwest after calling Expedia, and I got a refund. BUT I was told it could take 2 business cycles, meaning up to 60 days! No joke! So I don't know who was told it would be on automatically... but I would be shocked if it was. I am sorry for those who are on hold for hours, maybe just call back. You could be stuck in a que that is being ignored.

Ames

Thanks for that update about your hold time - I'm going to pass that on to my family & have them dial in again on another phone line

 

[karebear1]

I'm still on hold- almost 4 hours. It's really starting to peeve me too! This is ridiculous.

For those who did get through- how long were you on the phone with the Midwest people?

 

[bicker]

Since you do have an interest in following airline stories, I am curious if you know any of the history of how TPG handled the Continental acquisition and rebuilding. I really don't know much about it at all, but it might give us some clues about how TPG is going to handle Midwest.

First: I don't recall anything specifically, which is probably a good indicator that there weren't many significant concerns. Second: However, that was then; this is now. Past performance is truly no indicator for what we can expect now.

 

[Nicoal13]

I can't even get through to Midwest. All I get is a busy signal.

Our flights were for Oct 13th and 19th, so they were cancelled.

Not sure what to do now. I guess look at Airtran.

 

[JACKie SPARROW]

I've been on hold for almost 4 1/2 hours. We have a flight on Nov.27;when I checked to see what flights are available it said nothing for the 27th but there was availability for the 28th for a price of $1000+ . I think I am going to hang up soon;I don't want to waste any more time on such a nice day.

 

[Duet]

We lost our flight in Nov, and had the same red message. I would stay on hold if you can, or keep trying that online link for online refunds (which hasn't worked yet today, but maybe they will fix it.)

I think they may have dropped to only 1 (maybe 2?) 717s - I could be wrong, but that's how they handled our Jan. reservation, which we got to keep. The 717 flight times we got in Jan are:
#90 MKE ->MCO 9:20am/1:00pm, #91 MCO ->MKE 1:35 pm/3:25pm

If I'm understanding it right (their timetable is still wrong), this means they dropped 3 MD-80 routes for possibly only 1 717 (although maybe there are more 717 flight times, we just weren't offered any).
The Midwest MD-80 held 131 regular + 12 sig service seats, but the new Midwest class on a 717 will only hold 99 people. Even if they use 3 717s to replace those routes, there still won't be enough seats to accommodate everyone.

Has anyone gotten through in the last couple of hours? I'm still checking with extended family that have been on hold since 8am, and I can't figure out this wait time (4+ hours??)

cbjl,

Can I ask...what were your flight times in November that were cancelled?

 

[bicker]

I can't even get through to Midwest. All I get is a busy signal.

I've been on hold for almost 4 1/2 hours.

I suspect these two things are related to each other.

 

[DisBoosh]

I can't even get through to Midwest. All I get is a busy signal.

Our flights were for Oct 13th and 19th, so they were cancelled.

Not sure what to do now. I guess look at Airtran.

I've been trying all morning, too, and just getting busy signals on all 3 of their ph. #s.