lotsa, I actually don't think they will be happy to blow $100M against PIA. They are looking to the market to finance their investment in new fleet (or if they are not, they should be). Having said that, any PIA makes this a 'high stakes' game. If PIA and thre associated response action triggers a Fair Work determination, we have already seen that will not give a job security clause. If Fair Work will not give you job security, why would Qantas give it to you? Moreover, Fair Work is unlikely to give conditions (back pay and pay increases) that are out of line with what Qantas has given to other worker groups.
So, when SH pilots vote, be informed about what is likely and what is possible to be acheived should a majority vote 'no'. Is the deal on the table that bad, that you would risk the advantages it holds for the uncertainty of a hard battle?
I am not trying to influence the vote (I am not a QF SH pilot), just give some advice to help make that decision an informed one.