Yes, Sam,
We all wear socks at all four of these airlines.
How can Mr. Sandblaster can comment on all of the operations? I am sure he has not worked for all four of them.
I can only comment on one of the airlines in question: EK. it's a living.
There are many ways that an airline motivates it's employees. Some things don't change except the colour of the paint.
I have worked for six different airlines in my 20+ year career and have seen many different management styles. Any way you cut it the people running airlines are slippery, shrewd and manipulative.
Some engage the employee and others, well, don't. There are four basic airline management strategies. I know which one EK picked, why it did, and how it uses it.
Although many complain about the T+C's being cut by EK, all in all it's a decent package. There are many arguments for both sides (pilots and management) as to why they behave as they do, but that's just the way it is.
No one forced the hands of those that are at any of these airlines.
If you are employed by one of them and for whatever reason you no longer like it, leave.
T