Originally Posted by
da42pilot
Owning the E145s means if oil prices rise, they can be parked and you don’t have to keep paying leases. If United is really taking them back this is a good sign and actually supports the theory of a buyout.
Aside from Skywest and Republic, United Express is in dire straits. They absolutely have to do something to stabilize their regional feed. Skywest can’t be trusted to stabilize XJT and it’s intended replacement, Commutair, has been an abject failure.
How does this support the theory of a buyout? What would a buyout do to stem attrition? Any buyout would be akin to a minority investment like Commute-air. United has no desire to own a regional, nor would doing so “secure” regional feed. As XJT pilots leave, the aircraft will be transferred to the remaining regionals that can staff them. This has been the SOP for the last 5 years.