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.

I would say pessimistic hope tinged with cynicism. Most of us "lifers" are scrambling for the remaining lifeboats and maybe weighing the timing with the October bonus and the timing of commuting again. Heck, if I'm going to commute to DFW I might as well look at the ULCC's. Personally, I've had apps with the 3 legacies for a number of years. Last year I cast my net a little wider. Starting this month I will expand it a little more.

Every piece of negative news has been spun as a great boon for our company. I thought, okay, worst case we’ll have a few years on the ERJ and the CPP.

That hasn’t happened either. Suddenly the CRJs are still on the table; presumably why we’re not ‘allowed’ to bid the ERJ. Only months left, folks. Which leads me to the proverb: [Do something] or get off the pot.

Yeah, I think this month will make or break it for many of us. I start commuting to DFW next month with the prospect of being a reserve captain there by the end of the summer. Ummm... no thanks. Buh Bye.

This right here is the correct line of thinking.
Very senior pilot group, decent contract with good benefits.
All this = expensive.
When they can get you all off property and somewhere else @ first year pay, be it regional or legacy, it’s a win for management.
Also, to rid the industry of your contract and bennies, no longer will they have that comparison for other groups to, “me too” all of your hard work.
I left 7 years ago but what I see happening to some of my peers is total garbage and it pi$$es me off to no end.
Stop bull$hitting these people or don’t accept the bs.
Get those resumes out there and go to the fairs.
If I see your face a few times and you don’t work for inc. I’ll do my best to make sure you’re hired.

How many people are showing up to class each month?

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.

The problem is the other regionals you mention can't staff them right now!

I heard there was a UAL BOD meeting scheduled for today which would also announce an XJT purchase from Skywest?

Any word out there?

Yeah. “Crickets”