Several airlines have accepted a pilot-less aircraft is a while off yet!
As such they are actively looking to value pilots as part of their strategic asset mix. They recognise if an airline has a primary function of flying passengers, then having pilots to do it is vital.
On declining supply of pilots, an adversarial IR posture is often at odds with this imperative.
There was an age where front line staff were an asset. A Qantas pilot, a Singapore girl.
It is not confined to aviation, HR/IR kick own goals elsewhere too
Many business leaders talk about treating human capital as a strategic asset, but few companies put the idea into practice. For many years, this was especially true in the oil and gas industry, where HR strategy — including recruiting, training, career development, and succession planning — was not seen as a top priority. More recently, however, the HR function in many energy companies has begun struggling to fill positions. The industry is suffering from a pronounced shortage of skilled, experienced technical professionals — especially those who can design, operate, and manage complex oil and gas exploration and production projects.
As more airlines realise retaining skilled pilots is an important strategic imperative, it is going to be fascinating to see whether weasel words are replaced with respect for contribution. Of course it will be through gritted teeth, but I never for one believed Mr O'Leary would be on bended knee to his pilots!