Fascinating observation CO. I do not travel so much these days as I am in a different job but I have seen some of what you say. An amusing parrallel of this is in South Africa. Being part South African, I keep an eye on that forum and have a nephew who is a commercial pilot there.
They have had a number of LCC start ups in the country to the point where the legacy carrier, SAA, is now planning an LCC start up!!! Given that SAA is STILL a state owned carrier, you can imagine the temperatures this plan is raising. With the rapid development of Jetstar in Oz, it will be interesting to watch how their actions follow the curve here in Europe.