Germanwings is being crewed by LH pilots. Another attempt by LH management to battle the low cost war in Europe. Not sure if the salaries are the same. Maybe it is a copy of the legendary MetroJet idea.

LH is in dire waters right now. LCCs, ME3, mismanagement etc. and now management's attempt to dump the pilots retirement package. 12 strikes in 12 months! That's unheard of! Not too long ago, those God-chosen pilots would have pointed their finger sarcastically at their colleagues out the immediate West.

The threat of FAA (or worse TSA) backlash is real, but remember that in most EU countries no cabin crew members enters the cockpit when one pilot had to go to the lav (as of 2009 when I worked over there).