I think your onto something except XJT’s TA never said UA was buying them. Just that that inc wouldn’t own a controlling stake... And I don’t think UA will be getting into owning a regional.... but more of a helping combine some smaller UA regionals together..

UALs purchase of Expressjet is something I have been hearing from some of their guys. I was skeptical at first because of what I have heard of UAL's restrictions on having a owned subsidiary, but its starting to look like a possibility.

You are forgetting Kirby's history with WOs at AA. But it could be the case they are going to create a company run by Expressjet management that combines all their problem children. But I don't see UALs pilots allowing the XRs to be replaced by 175s unless the company that gets them is owned by UAL, and UAL pilots have access to the seniority list in case of furlough, which would likely require a flow up as well. We'll see over the next couple of months.

Yes he has a history.. but is he willing to stake his job on it....

I think he already did that when he cancelled the 737 orders in favor of smaller aircraft.