How did that backfire? I didn't notice any negative outcome. The only difference was a few stroppy cabin crew declaring they "weren't going to socialise with flight deck", but given they didn't do that previously and most pilots have no interests in doing that even if it was offered it's hardly a negative.
I think you've got your events arse about face there Count. IB is in coffin corner precisely because it has not much appeal amongst the public. By the way, customer satisfaction remains high amongst passengers with the 'sub-standard, low cost employees', and I for one find it a breathe of fresh air to go to SEP with people who actually know their stuff rather than fluffing their door drills, ditching procedures and cabin searches like legacy do every flipping year.