'I really don't get the whole "expats deserve multiples of the money" argument'#
So basically you're arguing for no premium on expat remuneration? That's an illuminating idea but one I think would be hard to sell in any industry employing expats. The only reason expats are recruited is out of necessity and that, whether you like it or not, carries a premium.
I'm genuinely interested as to how many locally employed pilots at CX make £500000 or more per year. Paul, care to hazard a guess?