Actually I believe BA will be bought by EK, but they (EK) will baulk at the current Crew and Ramp Agreements. EK have many ex BA Mgmt and they know the pitfalls.
The Lo-Co's will survive, so will BA but the old agreements will have been long gone before anyone can say BA truly survived a recession.
Personally, I don't believe its jealousy, but many people see CC as overpaid and prima-donna sky waitresses (as you put it) but most are excellent at their job and do try and look after the passengers as well as they can. But look at the old 'Raid The Larder' compared to the embarrasment that is called 'Club Kitchen' - good quality snacks have been replaced by desperate offerings that CC even turn their noses up to - the reduction in costs are obvious and cannot be hidden or dressed up without passengers or the 20J's noticing.