MILWAUKEE - It was dream come true for Jason and Shannon Gross of Waukesha when Jason landed a job with local airline Skyway two years ago.

"This was all my hopes and dreams to come here," explained Jason. "My family moved here to Milwaukee."

Their dream became a nightmare when Midwest Airlines decided to ground Skyway for good. About 380 employees lost their jobs when Midwest cut ties with Skyway Saturday. Skyway operated regional jet and turboprop service for Midwest Airlines under the brand Midwest Connect.

Midwest announced in January that flights operated by Skyway would be transitioned to SkyWest, a Utah-based carrier that also handles regional flights for United and Delta. The last jet run operated by Skyway arrived at Mitchell International Saturday afternoon.

"It's a tough day." Jason Gross told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray. "It's an incredibly tough day."

Former Skyway crew members and their families watched that final Skyway jet, a flight from Green Bay, do a curtain-call fly-by over Mitchell and then taxi to the gate under a ceremonial water spray from an airport fire truck. People who watched from gate area clapped, but pilots have little to cheer about. Skyway gave flight attendants, dispatchers and mechanics severance packages. Pilots got nothing.

"It's a sad day," said Kevin Balthazor, a former Skyway Captain. "I've worked for this company for seven years and it's sad to see it end."

The airline gave pilots no severance package because it was not part of their contract, according to pilots union chairman Rendell Schmidt. Schmidt said the union negotiated with the intention that the airline would stay in business.

Some pilots, like Balthazor, are having a difficult time finding work. An airline offered him a job, but then that company told him they do not know when they will be able to afford new pilots.

Compass Airlines, a Virginia-based regional carrier for Northwest Airlines, hired several Skyway pilots. However, those pilots will start at the bottom of the seniority list and many will suffer major pay cuts.

Jason Gross is one of those who took a Compass job. He will be away from his wife and son more because he must now commute by air to his new hub.

"We're going to stay here no matter what," said Jason's wife Shannon. "We have too many family and friends here to leave."

The Skyway company will continue to exist. Remaining employees will handle ramp and catering services for Midwest.

Passengers will not see much of a change. SkyWest will fly most of the same Midwest Connect routes that Skyway operated.

SkyWest plans to use 50-seat regional jets for all routes. Those planes are bigger than many of Skyway's planes, so SkyWest will drop some flights.

Midwest will no longer offer service to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.