Sources suggest in the absence of any new aircraft, having 'game changed' the way to Europe on the 600th 787, Qantas IR have been quietly briefing certain 'friendly' (probably on the delivery flight of the first 787 for Qantas) media on a pending stoush with the pesky pilots.
If nothing else it will ensure that the little Napoleon gets to show his masculine side in yet another manufactured dispute, something which astute readers remember Qantas last did in 2011.
Mr. Joyce's second cousin Willie Walsh of IAG (Iberia/BA) likes a good stoush too, or so his script writers insist!
Rinse, wash and repeat..