I think you have to ask yourself what is more important to you in terms of career and lifestyle......While we can debate endlessly about CX and AC in terms of who's got better routes and wich one will give you more money in your bank account, the one thing that you cannot dispute is that if you join AC within a few years you will have a paycheck that in Canada gives you an excellent lifestyle, a nice home, nice car, golf, sky whatever you want. Yes we pay lots of taxes, yes you may get lots of domestic flying for the first few years but despite all the pay cuts when you look a few years down the line you will be having a great life in Canada, with enough disposable income to live in great neigbourhoods and travel lots.
Do you know if you will like the expat life in 5,10,15 years?
Do you know if you will like living in Canada?That one I bet you know.
What will your wife think of it also is important because even if you have your million in the bank you wont be happy if the family isn't happy.
I have worked overseas in the Middle east and asia and let me tell you that when the s...it hits the fan you will be happy to be in a country like Canada.
And while some may prefer CX or EK or whatever and that is fine because they all have good points and they do make lot's of guys very happy.........you are not making a mistake with AC .
Just think about it: Wouldn't you rather be at AC wondering about CX than overseas wishing you could be home?
Lifestyle is what it's about in the end, not if you are on a 777 or a 320.
And Tamalai, AC has been through bankrupcy protection once and emerged much more powerful and the better for it. But what makes you think your airline is imune? On good spell of bird flu and what makes you think you will not suffer? We are all in the same boat in the end....
And your comment on the pension....the law here is different than the USA and the vast majority of your pension is not in the company's hands and is protected.