Originally Posted by
Adam Smith
I don't know that they're letting go of the older CR9s. My guess would be that the leases on 780-784 are coming up and they're walking away from those rather than extending the leases. Not that they're much younger than AC's oldest ones. They always had a somewhat temporary feel with the weird fleet numbers, the WiFi issues, etc. I can't say for certain, but that seems to be the most logical explanation.
Makes sense, according to my ex-Jazz pilot friend who was a captain on the E175 fleet, Jazz was (still is?) chronically shot of pilots due to a large majority of them left for Porter in the last few years.
A lot of former E175 routes became mainline A220, and reportedly the CRJ has slightly better economic with a larger pool of pilots and other resources. Hence, there were some watercooler rumours that they are going to be withdrawn in the next few years (which has already passed) as they are seeking buyers in the south/simply cycling out after 20 years.
Since they are being refitting with large bins (and also a new cabin?), I highly doubt the jungle jets are going anywhere anytime soon, if anything like you said would be the few odd ex-skywest CRJs.