Ornithopter - good ideas, but it they won't happen. BA mainline guys won't let it happen. They are unable to appreciate that we are all professionals, who are equal in status and deserve fair treatment.
I work for GB. BA pilots would like BA to fly all GB routes with their own aircraft -see their scope clause. That is unrealistic, because GB only fly routes that BA doesn't want to fly, or can't make profitable. The next option is for the BA pilots to fly GB aircraft - see their scope clause. To help our colleagues in BA, it is something that could be discussed, if it is something that they really want. It is something that could quite easily happen in the future, if the GB pilots supported it. There will, however, be no support unless the pilots lists are merged equitably - and being on the bottom of a huge list is not equitable. Why should a 2 day GB guy be below someone with 1 day in BA? Remember BA guys want to fly the GB aircraft. GB guys are not seeking to fly BA aircraft - they are happy where they are.
GB is a small profitable airline (and even forecast to make a small profit for the coming year as well) with a future, in or out of the BA fold. BA is big and unprofitable with huge debts of £5billion and a pension shortfall of £1billion. Not exactly a strong negotiating position.
Perhaps, in a few years when the reality of the current recession has taken its toll, a few more suicidal strike threats have frightened loyal passengers into the arms of competitors etc, and more guys in BA have seen the face of modern commercial reality, then attitudes will change. They will realise that they are actually the same as everyone else (although the very senior ones obviously luckier by joining a state protected nationalised airline). Then, Ornithopter, your suggestions may get somewhere.