In the past 24-48 hours, Milwaukee has been barraged by attackers from the south. Fortunately this brash group of soldiers does not carry muskets or any other type of conventional weaponry. Instead they come armed with something potentially more deadly … money … and gobs of it.

The "soldiers" come in the form of AirTran Airways corporate executives who have already made their first salvo in attempting to take over Oak Creek-based Midwest Airlines byway of a stock buyout offer.

In order to make themselves more palatable and their southern accents more friendly, they have ventured north in an obvious public relation junket to assuage the minds of civic leaders, shareholders and metro Milwaukeeans.

Do not be fooled.

If we are to lose our hometown airline to AirTran, immediately gone will be the days of 2 across leather seating, those warm, fresh chocolate chip cookies served on-board and Midwest Airlines' dedication to our city and region. Their plan is to make Midwest, and AirTran, uber-profitable while completely sacrificing and destroying everything Midwest Airlines has built to create since their inception as Milwaukee's Hometown Airline and "The Best Care in the Air."

Whether you have flown Midwest, have a friend/relative who works for the airline, or set foot in the Midwest Airlines convention center in Downtown Milwaukee … nearly every Milwaukeean has been touched by Midwest Airlines in some way.

Losing Midwest Airlines to AirTran is tantamount to losing Schlitz, Blatz or Pabst breweries or even the Milwaukee Braves. Midwest is a Milwaukee institution that few understand unless you live here and/or have flown them regularly.

What can you do? Call your county supervisor and urge him/her to do whatever they can to prevent AirTran from buying out Midwest Airlines. Become a stockholder and tell Midwest Airlines not to agree to a buyout. Be willing to pay a few dollars more per flight on your next trip for the added service and amenities that Midwest Airlines has to offer.

While the corporate execs tow the company and PR line by saying that jobs will not be cut and service will actually increase, Midwest Airlines will cease being what it was founded on … that of an airline whose focus is truly on its customers experience showcasing what real Milwaukee Hospitality and hard work is all about.

3 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by mitchgat on Dec. 18, 2006 at 9:04 a.m. (report)

Every time I fly Midwest Airlines, I have a very satisfying ride. The flight attendants are some of the nicest in the air and the people at check-in are always nice. I usually only fly Midwest but I have tried Frontier and they're also very nice. As far as AirTran buying our hometown airlines, I think it's a bad idea that I hope doesn't come to fruition.

Posted by maggie1023 on Dec. 16, 2006 at 3:14 a.m. (report)

there is an old adage..old travel people never die..they just turn up in new places.i knew there was a definite deja-vu feel to the current Air Tran invasion.back in the early 90's i worked at a local newspaper.AirTran promised massive ads,new low cost service,etc.after 4 or 5 months..and three thrilling low cost flights to detroit daily..they fled back to Atlanta .left us with unpaid ads and stopped service.Someone..i.e.those cute county supervisors need to do a little research .Midwest is Milwaukee and puts us on the national/international map.It's a whole lot more than chocolate chip cookies.

Posted by yvonne8753 on Dec. 15, 2006 at 12:23 p.m. (report)

Sorry I cannot sympathize with Midwest Express. The service has been going down hill for years, the flight attendants are some of the rudiest in the air. Want to get anywhere on time, fly another airline. Also I have know people who have (I stress have) worked for Midwest Express and all have stated how poorly paid and treated they were as employees.

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