emu enema,
there are plenty of other international carriers around so people should not be missing the holiday period with their relatives because of Qantas crew being on strike. I doubt any of us really want to strike but as Qantas managers are continually treating us like dirt I don't think we have any choice.
Also, many travel agents are no longer booking on Qantas unless they have to. You may have read that Qantas are now screwing them as well, paying the travel agents less commission means even more money in Dixons bonus.