One of the most interesting factors right there, and one that hadn't even occurred to me. So the "odd day" overtime to help cover a gap in the timetable, or an emergency like last Friday, is basically a non-starter.
The governments washing-of-hands of this entre fiasco while it plays out has been beneath contempt. They're basically fighting a war by proxy whilst trying to give the impression its nothing to do with them. Pathetic.
I truly fear its going to take a serious passenger injury, or worse some kind...