Freqflyer, the answer can be found in one phrase: 'loss of control'. Also, the Arabs have had slave trading in their DNA for millennia. Having said that though, after hearing for years 'basings will never happen' from CX management, they were dragged kicking and screaming into them by housing and other costs. And Emirates has a huge crew requirement.
However, CX had nasty surprises after the 49er debacle when various governments discovered that CX had not been complying with tax, labor laws etc. There are still issues today with CX basings with regard to inadequate and amateurish administration, which they are only now trying to fix.
In Hong Kong, the little pimple on the butt of China, CX management can go about saying, 'wah, we big 'hong' in Hong Kong we do wha' we wan'. But in the rest of this very big world, CX is just another company that has to comply with the law of the land. I'm sure Emirates in the UAE vs the rest of the world would be a similar secenario.
Last edited by Captain Dart; 8th March 2011 at 03:21.