Basically, he advised me to look elsewhere for a job opportunity as the current package deal they are offering to the Second Officers coming out of the Cadet program is much less in terms of benefits as compared to previous years.
No, no, no, no!!
Listen up kids!
Cadet Second Officers never received any housing allowance, or any of the EXPAT perks and benefits previously, because they were LOCALS. Expats who were EXPERIENCED ( not cadets) received EXPAT allowances. Now that they have stopped the EXPAT allowances, they'll take anybody with a pulse, as no experienced EXPAT with a brain would even consider this contract.
So, it's not the same job, it's not the same pay, and for good reason.
