Goonybird,
The comments you make are also very reasonable. I agree the staff travel at CX is a joke.
The real problem at CX is the job can be so dramatically different depending on fleet, base and position of the crew member. Now I'm sure some AC guy is going to jump in and say that flying long days on the RJ or sitting reserve is not fun but at least at AC as you get more senior you get (A) more money and (B) more opportunity for a better roster. At CX we have some F/O's making more than some Captains and you could be one of the most senior pilots in the company and end up with a horrendous roster. I've seen F/O's rostered 55 hours month after month with Relief F/O's flying 85-90 hours. I just spoke to a Captain that was over 100 hours but then you will find another on the same fleet at only 75 hours. What is with that? So as I said, CX can be great or it can suck depending on the factors I stated above.