Neptune,
The airbus guys started flying max hours in 2003 when the 345 arrived. This is also when we received a major pay cut, when they lowered the productivity threshold, but stopped giving credit for anything not related to sitting in the seat. We hired DEC back then as well. They started screwing with our leave then as well. Two of my mates were forced to move from their villas back then. So has anything really changed?
So the advice you are giving, is the same advice we have been giving from back then. But you still joined. It's only now that it's happening to you that you pay attention. Pretty much sums up shiny jet syndrome.