M1 - Your assertion that flight crew are the highest cost in the airline operation is wide of the mark, and I think an assumption on your part.
In simple terms, let's say the hourly cost of a Captain and F/O is $225. On a route MEL/SYD 1:20 so the cost for the two is $325.
They operate an aircraft with 150 pax in a 200 seat config: 75% load factor.
The cost in each ticket for the two pilots is $2.17.
The ticket costs the aerial punter what? $100? $150? If it is $100, and I doubt many are sold at that fare, it is (obviously) 2.17%. If it is $150, it becomes 1.44% of the fare.
The balance, 97.83% or more goes to the rest of the company, of which the vast proportion is labour.
None of the rest of the takers has to undergo the training or checking regimes the two guys who take 2.17% do.
None has invested the vast sums it costs to get to first base.
To reiterate other posters, until and unless pilots get hit with the magic bolt, realise that united they stand and divided they will continue to fall, then that $2.17 will soon be $0.17, and even a navy blue singlet, a pair of thongs, and a handkerchief tied at the four corners will be out of reach.