Divide and conquer - why is it so easy?
Because with so many bases we have no real idea of what's going on in each other's backyard. With the FAAA endorsing the proposal those who are either not willing to stand, or not understanding the long term implications will vote yes.
Just because people don't show up doesn't mean they don't have an opinion, they may not feel comfortable in that environment. And don't assume silence is stupidity, sometimes it's a lot smarter not to vent and make yourself a target.
At this stage everybody pretty much knows what they're going to do, perhaps they felt they had nothing to gain from meeting face to face.
As far as worrying about JQ and the FAAA using this thread, seriously they already hear enough in the crewrooms, on the aircraft and in the RBM's office. There's nothing on here they didn't already know.
I see the aggression shown at the roadshow as frustration at knowing there are enough people out there who do understand what's going on and are'nt going along with their plans. The schedules are already there, the flights are being sold, the actually do need to crew the flights, they need us as much as we need them.