Guys,
just to clarify a couple of points for you;
most of the B747-400's are being phased out in favour of the B777.
Older A330/A340 in favour of the A350 and new A330's, all over the next decade.
so not much of a net change in fleet size overall, and certainly not enough to bring the promotion times down significantly. Still work on 4-5 years as an SO as absolute minimum, IMHO. That's 4 years WITHOUT a rating that's useable anywhere else! And on the C scale, that's gonna be tough, don't kid yourself- HKG will only get more expensive with the inflationary pressures in Asia and the relatively poor value of the HKG dollar!
Basings? A complete unknown at this point. If and when they make them available again, it will probably be in very small increments and then only to replace retirements, resignations, etc, as the whole process of onshoring into the various juristictions has caught the company completely on the back foot, hence the freeze. Put it this way, I have 18 year+ seniority, and I can't get a base anywhere, so don't keep your hopes up!
So, think carefully boys and girls...I'm not saying 'don't come' but if you have any better options, take 'em!
Honk.