Over the years American Eagle COO Bob Reding has come to appreciate the virtues of order, simplicity and balance–whether they apply to flying the line or in directing flight operations and maintenance for the world’s largest regional airline. An ATP-rated Boeing 737 and DC-9/MD-80 pilot and former CEO of Canadian Regional Airlines and Reno Air, Reding has navigated around the pitfalls of the airline business for the past two decades, through it all maintaining a regard for flexibility within the confines of a defined organizational structure.
Reding began applying his tried-and-true management principles at American Eagle in March last year, shortly after the Dallas-based regional began the process of absorbing Business Express Airlines. Today, the former Air Force officer and flight examiner has turned his attention to preparing for the delivery of 25 CRJ-700 regional jets and rapid expansion on the East Coast. Reding found a few moments this summer to talk with AIN at American Eagle’s DFW headquarters.
