Day Dreamer, I have sat on the dole, post 9/11 and wouldn't wish it on anyone.
The time is not right for any confrontation with any management of any airline: we need to adopt a more responsive approach and seek to retain jobs, even if it means accepting paycuts and a reduction, however temporary in our conditions.
If we were all prepared to take a cut of 10% pay and allowances, night stop in cheaper hotels, job share, fly more hours than the BALPA or union agreement, whatever.....we might be able to keep more of our colleagues employed until the wheel turns. That is collective concern, not tub thumping to get a union in or preserve outdated work practices.