Chadwick, That's not my experience at all and I joined recently. I gather things weren't quite so rosy a few years ago but there seems to be a concerted effort to listen to the troops at the moment and it appears to be working. Everyone I've flown with is fundamentally happy with their lot.
BTW, other perks aside (and there are quite a few) the holiday concessions can be excellent and which other airline pays 15% into your pension? As far as I know, Virgin is the only other. That is a massive perk - many other airlines are about 9%. Over a career that difference will mount up.