Aircraft et al,
You say that the airlines can't afford to pay decent wages any more. Well, it was not so long ago that they did pay decent wages and they WEREN'T going broke. What's happened since has been a continual mind game to employees to accept less, so that, ostenstibly they can reduce fares to the public, but more importantly divert more funds to management and shareholders.
If the business model will not support paying market rates for employees, then change the model or get out of the business but don't ask one or groups of employees to shoulder the burden. I've ben watching management play this game for a long time now and it's about their bluff was called!