I don't think MGT is dumb...for years they've known which buttons to push that wouldn't put us over the edge...they are masters at propaganda and the sales pitch....they miscalculated Healthcare.
Middle management is another story...not sure if it is incompetence or simply they have no power/authority to change things.
Pilots at Jetblue have lived under this cult mentality for so long that we've forgotten we have the power to push back. I think once we get a union on property such a unified group (with some resources and protection) will look a lot different than it does today, if NEED be.
The ball will be in MGMTs court...if they want to play hardball they may awaken a sleeping giant. If it is truly about "Culture" then both groups can and should work together for everyone's benefit. We'll see how Personal Dave really wants to make this.
Crash, great points, but I would counter it's never been about 'culture'.There has been only one airline where culture truly mattered, Southwest. Every other airline it's about the money. Culture is a facade for keeping costs low and stuffing money in the pockets of it's executives. Sorry for the pessimism, I used to be a believer and that took all of a year to destroy.
Good luck to you guys, you guys deserve better.