A friend of mine is a chartered surveyor working in the construction industry.
Last year he could command £300 -£350 per day freelance. This year it's down to £250 - £300 per day. Quite a drop in average earnings. Imagine pilots being asked to take a similar 10% - 15% cut in pay from last year?!
As RB311 said, other industries are suffering as well - and many people have no job at all.
I can't help but think the BA strike action will end in tears, one way or another. BA can't 'magic' pax from nowhere, nor can they control external costs. It doesn't matter how prestigeous the company might be, economics is economics and the mighty can fall. Just look at the banking sector, Woolworths and the like - no matter whose fault - there are going to be many unhappy Christmases this year.
KR
FOK