Totally agree with your analogy - forklift driver vs. Saab F/O...like you said, hopefully the tide will now change to the point where pilots in lower paid airlines get the recognition (and remuneration) they deserve.
"5. You hit the nail on the head about cultural differences, in Asia service is not seen as a lowly occupation , hence the crew are proud to give good service."
In fact, it's the other way around. Service occupations - including FA -
are seen as being 'lowly' occupations. The only difference with carriers such as SQ, TG, MH, etc. is that these airlines are recognised as being very prestigious to work for. Not only that, the allowances that crew at these carriers earn is more than what they might reasonably earn elsewhere in Asia.
Competition for positions is very fierce, with SQ crew having to do the 'catwalk' in the final recruitment stages (boys in their speedo's, girls in a one piece, to see if you have any unsightly rolls or lumps
)
I've met a number of crew from these carriers over the years who've got medical degrees and the like, and the pay they get at Thai, for example, outstrips anything they might earn 'on the street'.
The same can be said for QF - many thousands of people apply for very few jobs each year - not that there's been an Australian intake for long haul crew for years now. Whilst seen as prestigious to work for, and decent terms and conditions, Australian culture is very egalitarian - no recognised class structure, and an unconscious, general sense of equality that's existed for centuries. Not necessarily so for crew at Asian carriers, where minor infractions could easily have you sacked.
If anything, perhaps the key difference between QF and the likes of SQ, is that QF
have no fear of alienating their passengers. Half the stunts that QF management have pulled over the years wouldn't even be considered by those in the ivory tower at SQ.