On the other hand...
All well and good. Let's enjoy a brief digression, if we may;
Let us compare:
VS vs CX job security.. VS enjoy one of the industries worst track records. CX enjoy one of the best.
VS vs CX pay.. Less than year 1 locally employed cadet SO. It continues to remain substantially below, all the way through the pay scales.
VS vs CX rosters.. Substantially worse than CX in most eyes.
VS vs CX time to command.. About on parity. The difference being the 8+ years airline experience you tend to need before joining VS, and the fact that CX will actually exist, in the coming decades.
Agreed, though; VS enjoy decent staff travel. Cheaper than CX, too. Out of curiosity, with what other carriers do they enjoy such benefits?
Swings and roundabouts. VS was a good act, back when the beard was in control. Now, it is an utter ****show, going nowhere, being demolished from within, with useless management, poor results, uncertain future, having missed out their Damocles thread, BMI slots. A niche service which is neither Loco nor Premium, whereby the 'sexy' image has sadly run its course.