I'm pretty sure I already read a thread about this after the iPad Air's release (which was when I first joined the forums). The attention paid to it just didn't reach the epic proportions that the iPhone 6 Plus is getting.
Not sure if trolling? What bendgate? http://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/26/consumer-reports-iphone6-bend-test/
I carry my rMini in my back pocket. always. And I drive a lot. Every time I get in my car, I sit on my rMini. Sometimes put full weight of 220 lbs on it. Guess what? No bending. I don't leave it there, I put it in a cd slot mount for the duration of the drive. I can't imagine Apple changing the back cover of the iPads - and currently they are definitely strong enough. That's for sure.
The iPad air will more likely be in your bag than in your pocket. Since it is subject to less stress, I expect the conditions causing the iphone6+ to bend will be far rarer for the iPad.
The complaints about the thinness of the air was directed nearly completely on the poor feel of the screen. No need to complain about the battery life(for me at least), nor the weight. But the screen "feels" cheaper than prior versions. I got see to it, but it was pretty much the only real complaint about apple's quest for thinness. Unlike the MacBook Pro or iMac, we didn't have to give up anything of real importance to go thinner. The complaints about the quest for thinness in the MBP and iMac are 100% legit complaints, IMHO.
If you don't think you're judged in society by the "lingo" you use, you're mistaken. Have a nice day.
Someone did bend the original iPad Mini I remember. They luckily were able to put it back into place without much issue. I don't think the iPad will get any thinner at this point though. It's already a PITA to push the buttons at the side, haha.