Gutter said:
Take a forking hint, AirTran:
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=4/4/2007&id=21596
Seriously, even at the slightest chance they are able to acquire Midwest ... the PR hit they are taking in the Milwaukee area is drastic. No way would would a hub succeed there.
Agreed and I still think this is far, far from a done deal. The hedge funds which bought Midwest stock in January are ready to sell. I have no problem with that because they exist to make a quick profit. As far as I can tell, the hedge funds represent less than 10 percent of Midwest shares.
The rest of the people who own are not about to sell IMHO, because:
1. They are local people, businesses and institutions who like Midwest and the non-stop Signature Service offered to many destinations. It's so fantastic to buy a MKE-LGA ticket or a MKE-BOS ticket and know the flight is going to be direct and that you are going to get a first-class style seat no matter what; no playing the upgrade lottery, no paying $10 to get an exit-row seat, no hoping your status clears to get you into a row with more leg room.
2. They realize that AirTran's offer is essentially shirtty. The hillbillies are offering cash and AirTran stock. Who wants to own AirTran stock? This is a company which started out hot, made money, but which has broken many promises about running routes year round instead of seasonally. Which leads to...
Anyone who takes a close look at AirTran's business plan for Milwaukee in the event of buying Midwest knows it's full of shirt.
AirTran claims it is going to start all these great non-stop flights all over the country from Milwaukee. Its reasoning is that all the folks from Chicago are going to come to Mitchell instead of O'Hare.
If this is possible, why isn't Southwest at Milwaukee? Why isn't JetBlue at Milwaukee? Why has Midwest stared down every competitor? Why can't AirTran just come to Milwaukee and take on Midwest head to head?
So I say again, SUCK IT AIRTRAN! Leave my wide leather seats and my cookies alone. Go away please.
