The problem is, that we don't know how much of an effect there would have been by any campaign, as nothing was done. So things might be very different, or they might be exactly the same.
The point is that we can have opposing view points on it, but our union should have at least been looking at it and trying to find out what could be done.
If they had put things out to the press and got the public against it, then that could have made airlines think twice about it, but only at an early stage.
Free market or not, not everything has to go down to the lowest bidder. Sometimes quality should count and the recruitment of pilots should have more to do with getting the right people, rather than the cheapest.
If a pilots union isn't going to fight on these issues, then who else is?
Like it or lump it just isn't good enough. A union should be proactive in protecting it's members and looking at all issues that might change their work conditions. Not just sitting there dumbly and trying to react to things that have already happened.