Hoss,
I think it is a good thing, but in my opinion this arrangement serves two purposes;
1. To control some of the people leaving.
2. To place Qantas Cadets in Qantaslink.
I have no opinion on either but I feel the majority of crew will only look back as far as 2005, at the failed and flawed Jetstar process.
That would explain the silence.
Good luck on LOA.
Stoob.