Hi Jerry,
The original question that prompted this was the one about UPT refusing to return an 'unairworthy' container, right?
For that particular question, I'd guess Bill Booth has enough experience with litigation that he (and likely his attorneys) have decided that there's less risk of getting sued, and less overall liability exposure in keeping the rig rather than returning it with an admonition to not use it.
Obviously, this is a guess. But I think it's a reasonable one.
And I also think it's not a completely unreasonable position for Bill Booth to take, given the litigiousness of our society.
There's a saying in the classic car world that certain, particular cars are worth well into 6 figures, even if it's just a pile of rust with a VIN Plate and a title.