wama123
There are two things CX is trying to accomplish;
1) increase profit
2) increase number of local pilots in the airline (alright...maybe for the first reason afterall)
Before, when Hong Kong has little to no experienced pilots to offer the market, CX was stuck with paying A scale salaries in order to attract experienced expatiates to base in Hong Kong and fly their planes. Some people might say the Cadet Program (or iCadet) is just a cost reducing measure in the long run because it requires substantially less money to keep a local pilot happy. Thus the introduction of the C scale which entering Second Officers now receive.
With reduced pay, the abolishment of direct entry First Officers, and assimilation of every applicant upon entry to the company as Second Officers, those whom have racked up 1500+ hours and in possession of multiple licenses and ratings would probably look for a job somewhere else