Do you honestly not think Cathay would like to have total control like SQ do??
Thankfully we do not live in a police state (yet).
I take my crappy hat off to the fact I can do what I like, when I like, however I like despite the old boys frowns.
The days of pax buying tickets based on an airline's profile or image finished in the 70's. Before most of us were born. It's now cost and convenience. The rest is makeup on a pig.