Perhaps Qantas could do an EBAY style bidding war to operate the 787?
Or perhaps a reality TV it's a knockout style production?
They could stream it live to the "street" at Mascot. Executives could take bets on the pilot that gives away the most in a desperate grapple for a potential seat change.
Pilots eager for a possible promotion(no guarantees), could complete against one another in a trade off of conditions. He or she who trades away the most wins, and gets an Immunity pin stapled to his uniform by Alan himself.
Just get Jetstar, Jetconnect, Australian Airlines to crew them, and let QF pilots take leave to fly them at a lower rate.