The AOA goes through it's ups and downs just like any other org. The AOA has a particular difficulty in that it is dealing with an effectively lawless jurisdiction (HK), and a company that fully exploits that lawlessness. The truth is that other than a few weak characters that took training slots, the company still needs about another 60 people, and they aren't getting them. Sometimes it is darkest before the dawn, but the company is slowly suffocating from the consequences of 25+ years of cynical and self-serving attacks against their most valuable employees. The tide IS turning, and those that stand strong on principal will eventually see a reward for their patience. Needless to say, the contempt for those who chose self gain at the expense of their colleagues will be deep and lasting. The AOA will have its day again, and the company will surely see that their policies of the past 25 years has been mostly damaging to their brand, position in the industry and ultimately, their reputation and market value. There was a reason that CX was so successful in the 70's and 80's. It was because they chose to recognise excellence, both in their product, AND their employees. The moment a group of venal and self-serving managers took control, CX began its slow decent towards mediocrity. Here we now wallow. One day we will rise again, but that day will only come when they once again respect and value their employees. That same reason is why the US industry is largely ascendant, because they woke up to that fact. Don't write off the AOA.