Definitely a vociferous minority!
If I was a new joiner would I consider leaving? Absolutely!
Why? Well, the last pay rise was 6 years ago. Despite CPI figures the cost of living has gone up dramatically since then no matter where you live. Over the last few years the USD/HKD has severely devalued against the many countries our pilots come from. The threat of RA60 delaying upgrades for a few years is more disconcerting than the 'bonus' of being able to work for an extra 5 years. HKG pollution is getting worse. Out workload has gone up almost 20% over the last 6 years...based on aircraft orders it is quite possible that a further increase in productivity will be required although this may lead to some overtime!
Why do many of us stay?
Well there is the obvious 'sunk cost' bias...we have already done a few years and we would be throwing that away. For aussies and kiwis the options are arguably much worse than CX now! Euros and yanks have many more options.
The point of this thread was to discuss why people leave. I still have no problem recommending CX to aussies(we aren't so bright) as I think it is the best option going for aussies.
As CX has been pushing for over a decade....MARKET FORCES. Personally I like seeing people leave(especially try hard and regret cx) as it means things might improve here and/or may put upward pressure on salary! But unfortunately many of our competitors have been offering salary and conditions inferior to us for many years (I am obviously ignoring some of the Euro LCC and US carriers). The chapter 11 sagas from the states have fed an insatiable airline appetite for hungry pilots but it appears, finally, the pendulum is beginning to swing the other way!
Try hard and regret cx...I dont have a problem with you leaving...I have a problem with what appears to be "I'm right, you are all idiots for staying" attitude. I can assure you I CHOOSE to stay...I dont think it is perfect in CX...it is just that my !!!! bucket isn't full yet...and my $$ bucket is nearly empty thanks to a mistimed divorce;-) So I will stay until my !!!! bucket gets full as that is far more likely than the $$ bucket ever being full. But there is more to life than money.
Viva la tolerance...why is it so important to have everyone agree with you? Accept that CX can drive some people crazy whilst people like me just laugh at the foibles of the system. I guess I work to live, not live to work, so maybe that is why I am so much more tolerant?!
I can't control what CX do...I cannot change how C+T is carried out...what I can do is control the environment in my cockpit (one advantage of the 4 stripes). For the 4 stripe challenged...you cant change what happens to you, you can only change your reaction to it! If you fly with someone you dont like, just remember it is only for a few hours. You dont have to socialise with him (I just realised why I am always alone on overnights!)...life is too short to let some 4bar or the system get you down.
Flying can be fun...lighten up. If CX isn't for you, move on. But dont piss on everyone that CHOOSES to stay!