There isn't much dilemma in deciding whether to return or not, if you have no other options available and need to put food on the table then back you go. During the course of a prolonged lay off, there is some attrition. Medicals get failed, for older pilots it may not be worth going back just for a couple of years, some retire early and permanently, others start a business and the lucky ones find other flying jobs.
A pilot of furlough from a major US airline such as United or American would be less attractive to a potential employer as they know he would go back as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Offer a CX or EK pilot a half decent job in their home country and it's far less likely they would return if given the chance. After a year settled in back home, few will want to uproot and move across the world a second time. The first time it was a big adventure and the conditions on offer were a big draw card. Now the shine has worn off and they know exactly what they would be getting into. The new COS are much reduced and the big shiny jet syndrome disappeared. Been there, done that with the B777 into JFK and now happy to bring the B737 home and go down the pub afterwards.