I can second this with similar conversations on my flights. It seems CX has found the bottom, finally. Expats are only willing to stay in HK on B scale if housing is included. Cadets are figuring out rapidly that living in HK on HKPA is not worth staying for long term. Additionally, trust in this management team is almost nonexistent.
So which path will CX choose? Further self destruction on the current course OR listening to pilots and acknowledging that bases are the only effective way to save on crew costs and simultaneously keep the masses from leaving. Tick-tock, tick-tock...