I think more than a few respondents to this thread have missed or are keeping away from Wiley's original point. It bears repeating: he said in as many words that self-serving scum like those now circling the CX carcass looking for a quick wide body command or endorsement are what will bring us all down if they're not stopped. Unfortunately, many of those who did just that in Australia in 1989 may think it's time to abandon that corpse as it's been picked almost clean by now.
No one disputes that CX A scalers are on top dollar, but everyone who quotes the mega salaries the CX A scalers get should take a moment to look at living costs in Hong Kong. They're up there with Manhattan and close to Tokyo. They should also consider that with constantly changing rosters like those the CX guys are suffering under, no amount of money would make up for the the lifestyle it inflicts on a man with a family.
But of course, complex issues like that can't be squeezed into a 30 second sound bite and would ruin a good headline.
In closing, I have to agree that the CX pilots need to dig deep and pay for a top notch
PR firm to handle their press relations.