The Best Care into Thin Air

I recently enjoyed a short trip to New York...really short (less than 24 hours).  We flew out on Midwest Airlines on a 'friend pass' or standby basis and tried to take Manhattan, only to be gloriously defeated with oodles of pictures and great memories to go with them all in the aftermath.

We enjoyed the good Midwest plane on the way out, and the future of what Midwest will become on the way back.  Quite a bit more cramped, about half the overhead bin space and actually very chilly.  (Not to mention the lack of chocolate chip cookies.)

Our discussion with my cousin who is an attendant revealed that the Embraere jet (who???) was Republic's staple in the air...not a great omen.

The second revelation was the lack of media coverage regarding Midwest, which we were amazed to learn will be flying their last route as Midwest Airlines, a there-and-back to Boston on November 2nd.  (MIdwest connect may stick around, but will be a Republic venture) Midwest employees by and large are out, unless they prefer to train with Republic in Indianapolis only to receive no guarantee they would be based back in Milwaukee and regardless of where they might get to go, would receive a 40% paycut.

Midwest has already 'furloughed' approximately 1,000 people among corporate staff, agents, pilots, attendants, mechanics, etc., in the last year and because they were THE hometown airline, many of them were also your neighbors, friends and relatives. 

Apparently the final entry to the gate is traditionally met with flanking fire trucks which hail the 'retirement' with arcing sprays of water over the fuselage.

While the regular media have chosen not to take notice so much, the loss of yet another truly Milwaukee business that for many years was a source of pride and critical praise deserves at least a little fanfare. 

A relevant sidebar to the story: While we enjoyed New York and greeted its storekeepers and fellow tourists, we shared that we were from Milwaukee. When the stare remained blank, we just explained it was north of Chicago.  I fear 'twill remain ever thus if our homegrown businesses continue to flee the city... into thin air.