Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't this dispute start with a claim for a pay rise and some travel benefits, like access to first class ???
We are surrounded by the Singapore and the Emirates to name a few who have a cost base far lower than ours. How on earth do you propose to be competitive hanging to your porkie perk ??
If you want to crap on about about lower cost bases vs pay rises & first class travel, consider this. EK gave their pilots a 8.18% pay rise this year & EK captains, along with their spouses & children over 16, can travel in first class on staff travel & on annual leave. Captains also travel in first class on duty travel. Not to mention the rather large bonus that was paid this year as well.
So tell me, how are pilot T & C's part of the lower cost base of both Emirates & Singapore Airlines?