Sonny,
Assume APA deal goes through and QF is now severely debt ridden.
Will GD risk everything on crewing a handful of aircraft by threating 2400 mainline pilots with all three EBA's up for negotiation? What exactly will be his threat? There is only a handful of JQ pilots in comparison and they are all busy. How will he get the numbers to crew every other aircraft?
GD has managed to be very successful with JQ because he didn't threaten the QF senior boys who have a lot to lose financially if they are touched. Take away the premier aircraft from them and watch the sparks fly! Remember the basic philosophy of AIPA for years is QF can chip away at everything but the 400 Captain's club. Even flt ops management won't shoot themselves in the foot, it is their retirement cruise ship.
Sure the JQ factor is a bargaining chip but lets be realistic. They get a better deal than what exists and they won't rock the boat too much. They are not that stupid especially with owners with an A380 full of debt!