longjohn,
If a bag thrower in Sydney can earn a minimiun of $70k with no overtime then i will change job`s.I would have believed this figure if it was inclusive of overtime/nil 10 hr rest breaks ect considering that a check of wagenet shows that QF baggage handlers base wage is $700/week + shift loadings + overtime(no info on jet* or nopulse).I know many of the ex-ansett baggage handlers did earn around the $70k+ mark but they did live at the work place all day every day.
Fact remains that pilot wages have the most margin and therefore will be the biggest target to management,next on the hit list would be the flight attendants particularly on long haul and to a lessor extent short haul.