Sadly they are let down by some of their management and others in Lisbon whose cock-ups are not so visible.
Thats Aviation, infact thats every company that I and everybody i know has ever worked for.
There is no utopian job as everything has a caveat attached. My job is just to get on with it while keeping a weary eye on whats going on (despite your assumtions that i dont know whats going on in Lisbon).
Nowhere have I ever insulted the rank and file
No you havent directly insulted the "rank and file" but you do with your constant little snipes about a company that many of us and even the hardened are happy to work for as we live a pretty good life. Note some have moved on and want to come back so the grass is etc etc
Hardly a warm and fuzzy feeling is it?
This was a problem. As time went by people were beginning to ask questions and many chaps thought that the bad old days were back. But that was not the case.
Your hatred of NJE is well noted and even if you think your demise was unfair take it like a man and move onwards and upwards.
As you say im just glad both are working.