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.

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