Comments on: Midwest Airlines Stops Flying (Its Own Planes)

By: Mary Kay

Mary Kay — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:16:51 +0000

MEH

Just a note..regarding your comment about Midwest pilots and flight attendants transferring to Republic. That is not the case. We were not invited to transfer. We were just layed off and replaced by Republic crews. For myself, after being out of work for a year… I just had to apply for Republic, go through 3 weeks intense training, and start all over at the bottom of the seniority list of 4,000 some flight attendants. I lost my 10 yrs seniority, my vacation and half of my pay.

Yes, the unions are supposed to work out some integration, but it will probably only benefit about 1/4 of the flight attendant and pilot group. The rest of us are thrown under the bus so to speak. I am not optimistic.

So for those of you who do fly on Republic, you will notice a few former Midwest flight attendants out their trying their best to make your flights feel like what you had. However, we too share your dismay and sadness… that the Midwest Airlines that we knew and loved is no longer in existance. Republic saved what was left of Midwest… but it will never be what it was… especially without the people who lost their jobs through this “restructuring”.

By: airline complaint

airline complaint — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:52:55 +0000

just to sound off a bit further, i have also flown republic and found their service to be quite standard, nothing special but not horrible either. and on the midwest note, i have honestly found united to be more expensive usually (both with the fewest options compared to other US carriers IMO)

By: Sweet J

Sweet J — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:42:36 +0000

Seriously – I think Midwest is the most expensive airline in the US. I used to live in WI and now in PHX. Granted no cheap flights for PHX however, for Midwest everywhere – the cheapest is like $350. Sickening. I don’t fly them anymore

By: MEH

MEH — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:27:36 +0000

The Flight Attendants and Pilots definitely have the option to transfer to Republic. In fact, some of the Flight Attendants have done so already. But some prefer to be “cranky fliers” and place blame instead of taking a job. All crewmembers must go through training sense they will be operating/working a different aircraft type. Discussion between unions about integration did not last long. Midwest AFA wanted DOH and nothing else. Therefore, the issue will be sent to arbitration. We all know how long that could take. Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot.

By: DRG

DRG — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:04:08 +0000

Thanks for the kudos but inflight service and marketing are two different things. Ideally the former will support the latter. My comments were about a lack of experience in operating an airline brand, not so much the Republic passenger experience. Republic’s executives HAVE extensive experience in inflight operations. I’ve flown Republic-operated flights many times and have found the service to be just fine.

By: JRT

JRT — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:21:05 +0000

Republics lack of skill sets in consumer marketing and branding.

I find DRG’s comments hit the nail on the head. I just flew Midwest or rather Republic on 11-2 and 11-4. Not being up on the recent developments, I had the audacity to expect the old service provided by the old Midwest Airlines. It was a rude awakening for me to be introduced to the Republic brand of service; small airplane, curt attendants and no place for my carry on luggage. I voiced my dissapointment to the attendant and was told basically to fly somewhere else. On the way home to KCI I did receive some mushed up cookies. RIP Midwest Airlines. Republic doesn’t have a clue as to how to go about keeping customers and DRG’s comments explained it.

By: ds

ds — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:17:53 +0000

I’m not sure what all of the confusion is about. Think of the Frontier operated YX service the old Saver Service but on better planes with directv.

Marketing…talk to anyone in DEN…Frontier is a going entity yet because of its kitchy marketing…I’m sure they will be able come up with something for YX too.

Frontier and Midwest have very different brands…so I do not believe it is clear that Midwest will cease existence…MKE is a fickle market and YX still has a good(albeit tarnished) brand their.

Not recognizing Leine’s is a GRAVE travesty. I hope they clear that up quick!

By: DRG

DRG — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:21:03 +0000

I think we’re saying the same thing. Looking at the very top management team in place when the acquisitions took place:

Bedford, CEO– All 21 of his years experience in regional airlines were with companies that operated on behalf of majors.

Cooper, CFO — 10 years with regionals

Heller, COO — 26 years with regionals

As an aside, but somewhat related to this, Republic doesn’t even refer to itself as an airline. It “strives to be the premier solutions provider of regional jet capacity to a diverse group of network airlines. ”

Whoever wrote that nugget musta worked at a technology company….

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:58:57 +0000

DRG wrote:

I’m not sure the conversations that would lead to a merging of the brands have happened yet in any serious way.

Interesting observations, DRG, but you know who Republic just named their VP of Marketing? Frontier's former CEO. Doesn't mean they'll be any more successful at sorting out their brand soup, but at least it appears they're aware of that weakness.

By: DRG

DRG — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:08:06 +0000

I agree with APB, although I also think there’s another element here: The guys at Republic really don’t have a lot of experience in several significant areas of running an airline because the company’s major carrier partners handled them. This includes scheduling, route development and — here’s a biggie — marketing.

Republic’s “marketing” department’s biggest responsibility until recently has been mostly corporate communications. This involves a very different skill set from consumer marketing and branding. So I think we have a group of people who are very good at running a company that puts planes in the air and delivers returns for investors.

I’m not sure the conversations that would lead to a merging of the brands have happened yet in any serious way.