jnps there is a shortage, of experience captains that is.
There is a shortage in Asia, having said that the truth is if they had to adjust to what it'd take to get good candidates to leave a decent job in the west it would simply be unsustainable and not competitive compared to many other airlines...hence they try to get away with what they can and has worked so far. Don't forget it's not only pay, it's rosters, hours a month, commuting in business,ctype of aircraft, and also super lenghty conversions for licences which many people are not willig to risk..
I guess we'l ll see if it keeps working.