Much obliged NC
Many thanks for the all the info, you should have become a business analyst, by now you'd be earning more than an QF and CX CN combined !
From what you've said, I think a large part of it comes down to how long you plan to spend in the company. With over twenty years left in me I'm thinking the QF option might provide more bang for my buck at the back end of my career when I'll definitely want to be home for the kids high school years, but then again the choice of living anywhere in the world that Cathay offers is very appealing.
I'll keep pondering, and thanks once again. Fingers crossed for a fragrant harbour pay rise soon, well overdue.