Air Asia is NOT a sinking ship. They will continue to do well and expand and develop well in to the future. It's a good Low Cost Carrier business.
For the pilots working there there IS a bigger picture out there. And no doubt those with ambition will move on to major carriers. There's more to flying life than an LCC experience and lifestyle.
Make no mistake AK is a great stepping stone. It deserves your best while you are a Pilot there because remember YOU are a Professional. However you don’t have to remain quiet to the on going issues there and should fight for your market value. I am in an airline where F/O's are treated with the utmost respect and worth. 420's post on another thread about the F/O being the one to save the day with any Capt Incap is spot on. Not that that should be the only reason of course. Both guys up there in front are operating the aircraft with big responsibility. Of course the Capt being the most experienced and ultimately responsible merits higher pay, but the gap should not be so ridiculously wide.
Unfortunately we also have to see it from the other side, and Tony F. is after all a business man (with politician sprinkles) and he pays F/O's what he does simply bacause he can.