I think the message is only aimed at the company from the respective pilot groups. You'll never, ever get the public sympathy for your contract, or lack thereof. Picketing does announce to customers that there is a potential for service disruption and that is a benefit of media coverage. I think the potential for massive media coverage is there if FedEx and UPS pilots are about to strike. Consumers go to DHL and that might get the attention of the UPS and FedEx boards. In this day in age, who knows what it takes to get a company into the negotiating mood?

Good Luck