Capt Q.
Most QF staff agree. Like you my family travelled to LHR with Emirates.
One aspect that shouldn't be underestimated is the management incentive bonus. Human greed becomes the motivater. They cut back on staff and product to boost their bonus at the expense of the customer.
You won't see an on time deparure out of many ports at the weekend due to "staff shortages". i,e, the manager is cutting back on staff on penalty rates to boost his/her bonus. Perth and Darwin spring to mind as an example. You arrive at Melbbourne or Sydney on a weekend and there's a delay getting an aerobridge over and the front door opened. Staff shortages again.
Bonus should be for performance that enhances the Airline and makes customers happy, rather than cutting costs regardless, so managers can have their snout in the trough.