If the public perceives a difference in safety between carriers they will vote with their feet. However looking at commercial aviation in the US there is no difference so people select based on service factors, price being the main one.
Fact is deregulated aviation today is safer than regulated aviation back 20 years ago. (Don't start jumping up and down, I'm not saying the deregulation made it safer, but the trend has being safety is getting better for many years)
It is never going back to what it was. Pilots need to get a plan B or pack the backpack.
The rule in the new economy is every single job is out to bid and if you want to earn more you need to be ready to move to get it. The idea of sitting around on a list waiting your turn is a joke.
Can you tell me a single job in the world where 10 years experience means you start at the bottom if you go to a new employer?
20driver