Harry,
The whole system is a festering mess. The inept are buying MBAs, coming up with obscene ideas (anyone remember how the DEWA cap was introduced?) and running roughshod over those with capability. To think that HR has been allowed to grow, and now be the ultimate controller of every other department is appalling. The contempt shown by them in those Wash ups we were made to sit through is just a brief insight to the way they see all other employees.
Flight Ops have no control over rostering, no control over required pilot numbers, and in reality, no control or input into any facet of their operation.
Only those who are part of the old boys club with TC have any clue of what's going on, and are allowed to decide on future direction. And no one in flight Ops has that club membership.