Common Sense
Come on guys and gals! Stop arguing with each other about this, and let's throw our support behind the CEPs (LEPs). We all share a common opponent in this struggle. The notion that "their" gain will result in "our" loss is non-sensical. CX has plenty to go around.
It is ridiculous to suggest that a year-long cadet course is worth a career's worth of housing allowance. There is no doubt that some period of apprenticeship or pay back should be required, but not this much for this long. It is discrimination and wrong no matter how you slice it. Hong Kong is one of the most expensive places in the world, and a SO or FO salary without housing is undoubtedly insufficient to live much above the poverty levels. The captains 24K is little more than a proverbial slap in the face.
CEPs are professional pilots, and they deserve the opportunity to be compensated equally once their experience rivals that of the expats. To argue that they should be held back for their entire career is absurd.
For those of you requiring further convincing, consider how much stronger our pilot group is with the CEPs in the AOA. They recently joined in mass and pushed us above 70% membership. Their presence makes us much stronger going into future negotiations. We ALL need this strength. Those of you who "free-ride" have the opposite effect. So get it together and join!