mtc
Cathay will not make you rich anymore (if it ever did), but even in Hong Kong, "comfortable" seems to be achievable with this scale.
Comfortable for whom? A single guy or a guy with a family? As has been said before you must look at the T&C’s on a long term basis. Yes you can get by as a single guy but it is a non starter for a married guy especially with kids. The vast majority of pilots won’t be single forever.
You will not be an SO forever and you will continue to advance and make more money. Ten years until Captain is not a long time, the same exists over here.
Someone joining today as an iCad SO would be an SO minimum of 4 years but most likely 6-8 years. You would then upgrade to a JFO for 1 year followed by a FO for 8-10 years. So best case scenario is 13 years to command but even with the current aircraft on order could be as long as 19-20 years.
Also, if enough guys hold out and the package does increase, which seems unlikely considering the trends of the industry, would an icad be subject to the new terms or boned for life?
The package has already been improved twice since 2009 due to a lack of interest. Since the expansion plans for airlines around the world is rapidly gaining pace, competition for experienced pilot’s services will drive up T&C’s.
If you joined today it is prety certain that will be your T&C's for your career here.