Choke on it, AirTran!

[Gutter]

AirTran looking to buy out Midwest Airlines. Midwest is having none of it so far.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=541176

 

[DocTalk]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

We lost the midwest feeder service here last year...too sad. What are the odds that after a takeover, the fresh baked cookies and the 2-2 leather seats will be gone.

 

[Gutter]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

We lost the midwest feeder service here last year...too sad. What are the odds that after a takeover, the fresh baked cookies and the 2-2 leather seats will be gone.

That's what I'm afraid will happen.

 

[dixiehack]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

But ValuJet AirTran roolz! Ron Mexico says so!

http://pressroom.airtran.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=201565&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=886437&highlight=

VIVA LA AIRTRAN!

 

[OTD]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

And United is making a run at Continental.

Let's see: United: Crappy customer service, even BEFORE bankruptcy. Continental: The only airline left with good service, meals on most flights and extremely helpful flight attendants.

I think we know which way this will go.

 

[Gutter]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

Let's hope the Midwest board stands behind its word:

Mr. Joseph B. Leonard
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
AirTran Holdings, Inc.
9955 AirTran Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32827

Dear Joe:

Our Board of Directors met today and had an extensive discussion of your
expression of interest in a transaction with our Company. As you know, we
have taken your letter very seriously, and since October 20, 2006 the
Board and the Board Affairs and Governance Committee have spent
considerable time and effort in a process with their advisors to
understand and evaluate your expression of interest.

The Board completed this process today. While the Board has a great deal
of respect for AirTran and for your leadership, it has concluded that it
would not be in the best interests of the Company, our shareholders and
other stakeholders, including customers, employees and the communities we
serve, to pursue a transaction with AirTran under the current
circumstances. The Board feels that the Company's strategic plan and
remaining independent hold the best promise for continued growth and
increased shareholder value going forward.

Thank you very much for your interest in our Company and your efforts in
submitting your letter.

Best regards for a good holiday season.

Very truly yours,
Timothy E. ***ksema
Chairman, CEO and President
Midwest Airlines

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

And United is making a run at Continental.

Let's see: United: Crappy customer service, even BEFORE bankruptcy. Continental: The only airline left with good service, meals on most flights and extremely helpful flight attendants.

Only? Never had any bad experiences on US Airways --- great service, good meals and very good flight attendants who are usually easy on the eyes. Now, Continental, or as I call it, The Airline Where Everybody Is Premenstrual And Pissed Off Including The Men ... bleah.

 

[Columbo]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

JetBlue.... or go screw.

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

We lost the midwest feeder service here last year...too sad. What are the odds that after a takeover, the fresh baked cookies and the 2-2 leather seats will be gone.

That's what I'm afraid will happen.

I'll be PISSED if this winds up going through.

 

[UncleHappyPants]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

AirTran looking to buy out Midwest Airlines. Midwest is having none of it so far.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=541176

Good for Midwest! (MX)

I am not in the airline industry but I am a huge fan of airplanes (OK, a nerd) and follow the industry closely. As a matter of fact, I am listening to LAX approach ATC in the background right now from liveatc.net.

Anyway, I think this was a lowball bid from AirTran. Airtran does not necessarily want or value all of MX. What Airtran wants is the 717s that Midwest owns and the rights that Midwest owns to fly from Milwaukee and, to a lesser extent, Kansas City. By the way, Airtran also flys 717s, which are outfitted in a much more constricted manner than MX's.

This is a cheap way for Airtran to get its hands on MX's fleet of 717s. I think MX has 17 of them, which means that Airtran would be paying about 17.5 million per 717. I'm not sure if that is low or not as Airtran's bid also includes assuming MX's debt. MX also has a number of MD-88 and 82 aircraft and just signed an agreement to purchase two more.

Anyway... Midwest came through the slump after 9/11 by changing its business model. Fuel prices have hurt it, as has happened to every airline, but it is becoming more profitable every quarter. It is still a fantastic airline and offers great seat pitch even on its lower-coster "Saver" flights; a full two inches more than Airtranny. And don't forget them cookies!!

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

Here's the latest...

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=541468

 

[UncleHappyPants]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

Here's the latest...

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=541468

Sounds like some of the shareholders want to cash out for a profit. Nothing wrong with that. But check out that picture of the AirTran seats and compare it with this:

http://tinyurl.com/y2ntp8

 

[trifectarich]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

All this merger talk . . . good for the industry, bad for passengers.

UncleHappyPants: Thanks for the heads-up on atc.net. It's great!

 

[Lugnuts]

Re: Stay away, AirTran


I don't live in the midwest and don't travel there much, but I took a Midwest flight a few years ago -- it was the best coach flight I've ever taken.

AirTran SUCKS. I'd rather take Greyhound than AirTran. Seriously.

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

Midwest is the best, bar none. And I have no stake in the company, other than flying it whenever I can (I live in a hub city).

And didn't AirTran used to be ValuJet? I watched a TV show on that Everglades crash, and it didn't paint the company in the best light. Not to mention the ****ty legroom.

 

[UncleHappyPants]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

All this merger talk . . . good for the industry, bad for passengers.

UncleHappyPants: Thanks for the heads-up on atc.net. It's great!

You're welcome! Glad you like it. You might also like www.flightaware.com

 

[OTD]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

And United is making a run at Continental.

Let's see: United: Crappy customer service, even BEFORE bankruptcy. Continental: The only airline left with good service, meals on most flights and extremely helpful flight attendants.

Only? Never had any bad experiences on US Airways --- great service, good meals and very good flight attendants who are usually easy on the eyes. Now, Continental, or as I call it, The Airline Where Everybody Is Premenstrual And Pissed Off Including The Men ... bleah.

Living in the south and the west, the last time I flew US Airways was when it was still Allegheny, so I'll defer to your judgment on that.

 

[UncleHappyPants]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

Here's a few highlights from Midwest's press release. The full version is available at http://tinyurl.com/yzvbde

Midwest Air Group Expands on Decision to Decline AirTran's Offer
MILWAUKEE, Dec 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Midwest Air Group, Inc. (Amex: MEH) - parent company of Midwest Airlines - today expanded on its decision to decline a proposed merger agreement with AirTran Holdings.

According to Timothy E. ***ksema, chairman and chief executive officer, the Midwest Air Group board of directors spent considerable time and effort evaluating AirTran's offer of $11.25 per share in cash and AirTran stock. As part of Midwest's evaluation, the board engaged investment banking firms and an outside consulting firm.

"During their comprehensive review, those advisors considered the offer in light of Midwest's business and strategic plans," explained ***ksema. "Under our strategic plan, we are projecting annual capacity growth of more than 10% over the next three years including a 50-seat regional jet program, along with significantly greater growth in profitability. Additionally, we view AirTran's offer at only about $5 per share, because it includes approximately $6 per share in cash that already belongs to our shareholders."

"... The board unanimously concluded that Midwest's business plan as a stand-alone company would support a considerably better return to our shareholders than AirTran's offer," ***ksema said. "We are successful because we provide customers with an exceptional travel experience. Our product and service are unique, and are not readily compatible with a merger with another carrier."

***ksema added that employees of Midwest have been overwhelmed by the groundswell of public support of the board's decision since the news became public today. "We are very fortunate to have customers and shareholders who enthusiastically support our decisions and appreciate our efforts to provide 'The best care in the air.' We are very proud to be Milwaukee's hometown airline."

 

[Gutter]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

AirTran ups its offer by 18%.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=551848

Stay the **** away, dammit.

 

[Football_Bat]

Re: Stay away, AirTran

But ... but ... they have XM!