411A - You are correct, then again not....kind of... You are correct in the fact that the airlines are making most, max, out of their resources...But we KNOW it does not have to be this way...
In easyjet, as an example, we do work to the MAX, with 4-5 4 sector days. Most days are between 10-13 hr days, on top of that comes getting to and from work, like in every job. Why are we doing this? Because of p**s poor management that took p**s poor decisions over the past 24 months, leaving us in crew shortage that has cost the company £££££££!!!! So instead of doing my 75 hrs a month, to be productive and reach close to 900 hrs a year, I find myself doing stupid months with 110 hrs! Or how about 12 days leave, 3 days gone for sim and still doing 75+ hrs!!???
Then we can have a look at Virgin.... MAX 750 hrs (700?) a year... Are they making money?? YES!!! I know, difficult to compare long haul with short haul...But I think most long haul pilots fly close to 900 a year, right? Why? Because otherwise the company would not make any money? I dont think so!
Like I said, I think you are correct, but I dont think that it has to be this way or that it is too late to fight for a change in attitude...
/CP