Midway has had more than its fair share of problems, and has recently sent out word that unless it can resolve a dispute with its pilots’ union, it will be forced to shut down — as soon as this month.

Once the busiest airline at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, with 40 planes and 2,700 employees, the airline met turbulence head on when it was ousted from a very profitable frequent flyer relationship with American AAdvantage. After proposed partnerships with both Continental OnePass and Northwest WorldPerks failed to work out, US Airways threw Midway a life jacket in the form of a commuter feeder contract. But now, even that contract won’t save the airline unless it can settle its union contract conflict.

The good news from a miles-and-points perspective is that Midway currently has no independent frequent flyer program, so passengers flying that airline won’t risk their miles should the airline fail. The bad thing, of course, is the disheartening news of yet another airline failure.

The original Midway Airlines, based in Chicago, offered one of the best frequent flyer programs in the entire industry, even when compared to those of larger airlines.