Ian Hank Marthaler: So long Midwest Airlines

In July of 1997 I began my journey with Midwest Express Airlines as a part time reservations agent while I attended Concordia University. I enjoyed my job and quickly mastered the basics. I was promoted to a Quality Assurance Agent and then to a Schedule Change coordinator. For 2 years I worked in all 3 positions and loved every minute of it, ok, maybe not EVERY minute, but most of it. A year and a half after I started, I graduated from Concordia and started working full time. I quickly realized that working 5 days a week in an office was not very exciting. Two of my friends applied for a job in Inflight. They both got hired and kept telling me how wonderful and fun it was. The pay was better, the people were great, better flight benefits, and you did not have to be stuck in an office. I applied, interviewed, and trained for what would become one of the best jobs of my life.

Several hundred employees wait for the final flight to arrive

A few YX friends and coworkers

In the 10 years in Inflight, I experienced a lot of good times (traveling to different cities, hotels, Mardi gras, etc), bad times (9/11, passenger threats, engine failures, etc), meeting celebrities (Bette Midler, Bea Arthur, Ludacris, Taylor Lautner, etc), politicians (every single one from Wisconsin - Feingold, Kohl, Sensenbrenner, etc), chartering sports teams (Brewers, Bucks, NJ Devils, Admirals, Royals, etc), and the list goes on. I loved my job and think I was pretty good at it. I especially loved that I could work 8-10 days a month, once we had Ben, and still maintain full time employment with great flight benefits for my family and for extended family and friends. Over the years we have traveled to many great places with a lot of our friends and family including going on Girl's New York trips several times a year. We non revved to Korea 3 times, which was totally crazy, but made the trip very affordable. We have taken our kids all over the country and overseas multiple times. Ben even hit 100,000 flight miles right before his 6th birthday.

My last flight was scheduled on Monday, July 7. After working a very delayed double Denver on Saturday, I headed to do what would be my last working flight on an out and back to San Francisco. I wish I would have known it would be my last working flight, but it is probably better that I did not know. I thought I would work this trip, go on Family Leave for Ian's adoption and then head back to work in December.

Layoffs were being sent based on years of service. In September, I received notice that I would be laid off effective September 30.

On November 2, 2009 the last Midwest flight crew flew the last 717 aircraft for the last time. After the company was purchased by Republic airlines this past July, they chose to lay off the remaining flight crews and have their lower paid Republic crews fly regional jets under the Midwest name. It is a sad day as Midwest (Express) Airlines has always been known for exceptional customer service. The airline has declined since the days of filet mignon dinner served on real china dishes with real silverware and topped off with complimentary red and white wine. The cookies are still there, but most are served cold.

Flight crews from throughout the years joined together on Monday to welcome the last flight in. With over 400 flight crew members present, news crews from every station, and many friends and family we said good bye to 25 years of Midwest airlines.

My heart is sad at what was, but filled with happiness at the awesome experiences I had and awesome people that I met. I thank and praise God for a job like no other. I began a new chapter in my life last October when I was laid off and began my new career at home as a full time mom. My children and husband are my life and my "job" now. I feel blessed to have had a great career and feel even more blessed that I can now be at home with my family.

Toni and Cat served us as union reps