There are simplistic scenarios being spouted here that would make Oliver Stone, king of conspiracy, a proud man.
So WW intended to run down EI, buy it and then implement a "quick fix" to make millions? Such a simplistic view of the complexities of running a large and complex organisation belittles opinion on how to fix the BA pension problem.
This is not about shafting pilots. it's about fixing a hole that has arisen for a whole range of issues. Who's going to suffer under the current proposals? the members of the scheme; no debate. Are the current proposals right? That's where the debate is. But that debate should not be a simplistic "WW with baseball bat" debate. if he could magic a solution that avoided confrontation he would, because it's easier for him. He can't however, and so he'll look to fix it another way. And if that way means pain for one group of people then we know he'll not shirk from taking that option.
This is a MASSIVE problem which is why radical action is being talked about by management. it would take years of profits going fully into the pension fund to fix it. And if the profits are going into the pension fund they're not going to sharegholders who, ultimately, are... pension funds, needing the cash to pay pension liabilities now.
it's a very difficult situation. But it's not a simplistic one, so keep the debate off the bottom and out of the mud.