FB,
I am afraid I have to disagree with your sentiments. Not all of the industry is fragile. Only the companies that are poorly run i.e. companies like VA. Virgin is a shadow of its former self, and that is because of very very poor management. An example of this is the shockingly high lease rates on the ex-Alitalia aircraft. Why should the crew or even you pay for their ineptitude. In fact standing upto them may result in a deadwood clearout, and possibly an improvement in how the company fares.
I myself remember fondly the once proud airline that was a trendsetter. I fear VA has become the type of airline it was designed to usurp.