I'm not a management apologist in any way at all, but isn't this to be considered as a good thing?
Not always! I was rostered 91+, swapped a flight which put me on 92. All quite "legal" in the EK rules. Now my top bid flight (to see family) has been taken!
They could have easily given notice & started this next month
If we are that desperate for the money, it sends a bad message to the outside world & presumably kills off any hope for a profit share
