Management doesn't decide whatever they want in bankruptcy. The creditor committee also has a huge say now and can reject managements plans. They want their money. So they will do whatever they see fit to try and maximize their claims. Whether that is going along with managements restructuring plan, exploring other plans, pushing for selling off assets, closing down areas of the business, changes of leadership, exploring merger opportunities etc..

Not to mention everything airline management says to employee's is a lie anyway. They will say anything to keep the employee's under control.