CX told KA what COS 18 is, and that's all that is available for future pilots. CX recruit mainly SO, low qualified wannabes. Most CX guys have joined via this route over the last 15 years.
KA, however, have always relied on a steady stream of qualified, 3000+ jet hour guys, some already rated.
The low down is that, as as stated above, very few jet guys with decent experience are taking the lure of COS 18 and the B.Sh1t promise of a fast command.
There is 1 Command upgrade announced this year, in June. One. How many are already pre qualified, waiting their turn, around 40? 50? .
COS 18 will work for CX, as you don't need much skill to make a bunk and suck up to your captain on a 13 hour sector.
The same COS will not work at KA, for the experience they desire, the system was geared up for pilots with experience.
I bet its back to Standard contract by the end of the year.
And then there's the issue of that loverly 1% pay deal, for 3 years. It's so worth relocating your life to Hong Kong to aspire to that. Right.