I get where you’re coming from and hate to be negative, but there are a couple of minor issues here.
or simply a handshake deal or statement by the CEO
Er, this is Qantas we’re talking about. The statement would be along the lines of ‘We want to assure you that at this stage, we have no intention of doing that nasty thing you don’t want us to do.’ Within a couple of months, they’ll be doing it.
If it’s not in writing and bulletproof, forget it.
It wouldn't be a great look for a company to refuse such a reasonable request.
This is a company which has just gotten rid of about a third of its workforce and decided that instead of going to a service desk for help, passengers can sort it out themselves online. I don’t think they’re too worried about what’s a good look right now.