I had the feeling you were optimistic about all this... why the change of mind. What causes you to think that AWAC is headed for some hard times?

 

Like everyone, I am hopeful. And my negativity is based on nothing other than the fact that this is taking a lot longer to get the deal done than we thought it would.

Obviously, I really hope it happens. We will all benefit if it does. Among other things, we will have diversified and that is important.

The reason I am not sure about the future for us is that it seems as though the age of the 50-seat RJ is winding down. I am afraid we will be marginalised and have little opportunity for growth. The proposed merger between Delta and US Airways could be good for us. Or it could be bad.

Too early to tell.

I just am not so optimistic about the Midwest RFP because of things I have heard, like they have done some spot checks on our flights and have not been impressed with the F/As or the cabin appearance. If we were to get it, we would have some big changes to make regarding the way we hire F/As and how clean we keep the airplanes.

 

I have to agree with you there... our flight attendants are pretty rough looking!!! And why do our airplanes have a foul odor when you pick one up at PHL, but when I start a trip here at ORF they are much cleaner and smell much nicer... Just something i noticed.

I completely agree that other airlines definitely have better looking/more friendly F/A's, but is our performance also sub-par?

 

I don't think our performance is sub-par. When we did United Express flying we often led the other UAX carriers in performance stats. I think we do OK for US Airways, especially considering the conditions we have to deal with in PHL and out east in general.

If we get the Midwest flying I suspect that there would be some pretty strict guidelines regarding the service and appearance/uniform/attitude of the flight crews and also regarding the appearance of the planes. But I doubt we would have a big problem with performance in terms of on-time and controllable completion. The Midwest geographic region is vastly easier to operate in with regards to traffic and weather, so I think our punctuality and completion would be very good. But that would apply to anyone who gets this flying.

Like I say, I really really really hope we get it, even if it is just 10-15 airplanes. But I am not so optimistic because this is taking a really really really long time. I hope it is just the details that they are working out.

 

AWAC will not get it. Cost Structure is too high.

 

Seems a little vague. Please explain. Are you an AWAC pilot?

 

Air Wisconsin will win the Midwest RFP if doing so is in the financial best interest of the Three Amigos. If they stand to make alot of money off the deal, it'll happen.

Incremental growth with CRJ-200s? Check.
Half of workforce within 2 hours of MKE? Check.
Tax benefits from state of Wisconsin? Check.

I absolutely do not buy "AWAC will not get it because their costs are too high." The bid might be high, but if so its simply because of profit margin. If Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation management cannot secure incremental growth IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, with a former Midwest insider as CEO, they simply are not trying.

Still not holding my breath...

 

...or they just don't care. I don't really think they care too much at this point, with over 8 & 1/2 years left of flying for US Air already inked. I think the industry will be completely different when it comes time to find a home for those 70 airplanes. They are probably perfectly content with sitting it out for awhile.

If you think about it, AWAC really came out ahead after the last few years. The better companies out there are furloughing and in danger of ceasing to exist.

 

I'm staying with a captain who seems to think something big is about to happen for AWAC. He has been around almost 7 years so he has been through it. He had made the comment that the company just hired a bunch of additional dispatchers. In addition to that he saw AWAC at a job fair in Atlanta about a week ago. He warns of "drinking the Kool-aid", but he seems to think somehting is up. Besides all that anyone who works here can admit we are extremely fat on pilots right now...

If not Midwest, what could it be?

 

I have heard first-hand that there was a large contingent of Flight management at the ATL AirInc and they are establishing a pool of over 200 pilots.



Still not holding my breath...