Precisely right, Menelaus. We’re in our third year now of being denied the pretty basic human need of stretching our legs after 16hrs in the tube, taking a breath of fresh air, and (gasp) perhaps eating something not served lukewarm out of a cardboard box. Other pilots only have the “pleasure” of being locked in their rooms when they come here, which is why they’re paid a financial incentive to layover in China, while we get to do it everywhere we go (and in exchange have seen a permanent and drastic pay cut).
Inability to lead a normal life when on layovers, and the requirement to sit on that hard plastic chair for hours upon returning to HK waiting for a negative PCR test result before finally being allowed to go rest, are the two biggest pain points. Together with the permanent paycuts and the end of housing, it’s the reason we’re haemorrhaging crew.