Dictionary: to swindle; trick
No, con is not the right word, but the credibility that they knew, is credible.
Misleading - Nope.
With shares languishing, of course they manage the bad news, and cover up destructive news - like baggage price increases that had other airlines leaving. They should not continue to treat/view staff like Bond's, lest control be lost. I don't feel people have 'lost' as aggressive cutting was going to occur anyway - and the other airlines are offering stonking good deals.
Now in the days of Ansett, the FF deal racket was nearly blown open, if you knew you knew how many seats were really, or simply not available on some routes.
When they converted kilometers to Miles - that was a con, because the zones worked very strongly to their favor - no one appeared to pick that one up.
On Privatisation, well that proved where the moral fibre was, and I don't think attitudes and probity have improved much since.
Qantas was once 'easy' on trippers who wanted to change their dates - now the Indian call centres lie over the phone about availability changes. One pax was told nothing doing for 2 weeks - full up. He rang up a day later wanting to know if room for a rugby team - no worries they said! He then asked for a ticket change
IF Qantas wants more business:
1) They should ask for my 'calendar' and which flights and time preferences I like - so they know what to offer me. Ok remain low tech like the others.
2) SMS me with 48 hour deals or 'get to the airport and we will put you on this, or the one after'
3) Seriously investigate laying on transport to avoid hassles.
4) Hold or store daypack/suitcases for me/high wealth or security cleared persons, so I don't have to nip home for the emergency travel bag.
5) Above deals offered for loyalty.
Right now, Tiger is meeting me on price terms, but I am not flying with them, because booking is a hassle, and because of the 45 minute trick deal - it takes a lot to rub me the wrong way - but they have succeeded.