Almost certainly their hope is that there is an economic downturn that will then allow them to impose even worse conditions. It is only a question of whether the pilot resignations outpace their ability to hold out for such conditions to occur (and what does it say about a management who wish for bad economic times?). Regardless, no matter how things play out at CX, it is no longer in question whether or not it is a viable career airline. It isn't, and never will be again.