Lack of unity;self-centred approach to career structure coupled with management style akin to Victorian mill owners and you have the recipe for 'shot-in -foot' life of the average airline pilot in contemporary times.
Original post is subjectively correct and how the pilot career has deteriorated to such an extent is complex.The obvious quote is 'market forces' and that is true to a degree.The influence of Balpa,while generally beneficial is tied up in politics as well.However,they do tend to curb the enthusiastic excesses of the modern 'manager' equipped as he/she is with modern business -speak,a degree in tourism from the hallowed halls of Milton-Keynes university and generally hopeless.The enthusiastic excesses and incompetence that has got the world into such a financial mess."Fuel hedging anyone;oh we cocked that up let's take the pilot's breakfast away."