Interesting.
CX FO, 80k CDN (taxed at about 40%) for a N. American base.
EK FO, 72k CDN tax-free for a DXB base + accomodation.
Factor in the upgrade path, and your "100% higher wages" comparison gets a little weak...my colleague joining today will have a command before my CX buddy who's been toiling away in HKG for six years...
All what you want I suppose...but the "checking mentality" ain't exactly limited to the sandbox...