Cathay taught SM well and he is well qualified to run an airline (MBA etc) and is generally a knowledgeable person. What his brief was from BA when he took over as CP is a matter between him and his employer, but a fundemental model will be the Cathay one (excepting the length of the command upgrade course - GSS is much shorter) and CPA are on a race to the bottom regarding conditions at all levels but especially in freight.
The point is this is now a job that is in terminal decline as far as respect from employers is concerned. The only workable solution seems to have a very strong union,work for the national carrier and be prepared to shut the operation down if necessary. Employers will only turn the corner when they can't fill the operating seats and that's going to take forever. Sorry.
