Wiz,
I, and I suspect, many others take exception to that comment.
To suggest that the pilot group of any major airline is not important underscores the fact that many within our ranks will 'dumb down' our profession.
The other 50,000 do not have anything near the package that we have - reflecting the critical nature of the pilot's skill set.
I realize we are not managers - but it's one thing for the company to destroy the corporate culture - which they have since GFC - but it's another to have one of our own dilute the importance of the 3600 - most who still believe they represent a 'great profession'.