Australian Airlines exodus of pilots to Dragonair
"If they you paid them what they are worth, they wouldn't be leaving." DFO of CX in telephone conversation with the Chief of Personnel RAAF 1987.
The DFO's comment still seems to be somewhat relevant, albeit in a slightly different context....
To my mind, Kaptin M's comments are also accurate. It's difficult to convey how rewarding an expat pilot job can be when talking to someone who has not experienced it.