Now that many majors are developing their “basic economy” fares to mirror our product (sans bags, seat assignments, added restrictions etc) that may be a product they would be willing to reciprocate in the future. To be honest the only people who have truly benefited from my benefits at any airline I have worked at over the years were my retired parents who were not constrained by time, and a full flight for them meant staying somewhere nice another day or two.
Some are adamant that cheap travel is somewhat of an intrinsic benefit that should come with working in this industry, and if it works for them I’m glad they enjoy it. For me, if I have already shelled out money for a hotel or vacation and I’m traveling with one or more people, the last thing I want to count on is getting to the airport and sit at a gate staring at 40 names ahead of me on a United standby screen. Full fare > unnecessary travel stress.
To each their own.