Berry, you're thought is interesting.
This letter from the GMA proves that the AOA is only a convenience for the company and a pipe dream for the pilots.
The company "negotiates" with the AOA when it wants the pilots to think that they have some power as a group and when it does not WANT to hear from each individual pilot. The company goes directly to the pilots (as it has just done) when it wants to modify each pilot's individual contract (which it is, except in Canada and Australia.)
If each pilot, who is on an individual contract, were to go to the company and say, "I want this, I want that," which would most likely be done through a grievance, the company says, "Go to the AOA and have it bring the needs and wants of all the pilots to us. We don't have time to listen to each of you individually."
However, when the company wants something it goes directly to each and every pilot. This is how it is and this is how it will be as long as those pilots are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement such as in Canada and Australia.
Regardless of the existence of the AOA, this issue will certainly come down to the wishes of each individual pilot. The company has no obligation in law to treat the pilots as a group, therefore, group mentality is not pertinent.