My guess is that the current moves are for political AND financial reasons. However, it could be that someone can't add up when it comes to how many crews are ACTUALLY required to fly a line.
Time really to get down to the actual running of the airline and NOT worry about personal implications. Too many airlines arrive, survive and fail...... I don't think Cougar will be one to fail unless it's workforce start to work for Mr N and not against him.... mere unbiased opinions of course......