Elroy,
You have summed it up very well - expanded on my short theory in post # 9.
There is no doubt in my mind that this is the agenda and the sale of Q.F will only accelerate the process. Competition from the likes of Tiger airways will be used as an additional catalyst to turn many employee groups - particularly large ones such as Flight Attendants , into a low salary, high turnover jobs with little or no career progression or job satisfaction.
The general public won't give a rats because management will trot out statistics to say they are still employed. Airline jobs in general are viewed by the public as pretty cushy-particularly flight attendants.
If I was Q.F mainline -any division -I would be extremely worried.