The OP post raises a number of interesting points, and others have responded with balance.
One issue that I would like to see tested a little more is the notion of "engagement". I'm not persuaded that Flight crew have ever been fully "engaged" with their employers. They have been engaged in what they do, but not much with their actual employers.
A few members of Flight crew have always been engaged, but I think it is a few, and always has been a few.
For some reason, the sense of "belonging" in Aviation is seldom with the employer.