It’s not “the man,” as I’m in full agreement! They have been fully subsidized by their nation states and are helping restrict my career opportunities.
One perfect example: The US Govt just awarded their Middle East flying contract (Flights from Washington Dulles to the ME for govt workers) to JetBlue, who can’t even fly internationally in their A320s!!!
That seems illogical until you realize JB has an agreement with Emirates in Dulles!!! So, while the US Govt LOOKS like they just gave the contract to a US carrier (as reqd by law!), they did, in actuality, give it to a foreign carrier!!! And, in the eyes of most, it was so they can use their positions to get bennies like free upgrades to the Emirates suites, etc... Previously, this contract was held by United, which then stopped the flights.
I have shirts with the Etihad sponsorship on, but I prefer them without.