Fourspeed.
You said:
CX pilots are not leaving for greener pastures because, frankly, there are no greener pastures.
I have two issues with that statement.
Firstly, people are leaving, maybe not in droves, but they are leaving. Some young guys are finding other places to go, greener or not; and older guys are leaving before their retirement age. That alone should be sending the willies up the mangement (sic).
Secondly, I know of at least 5 recently retired Air Force pilots - who would have in the past made CX a natural first choice - have all chosen to go other airlines. A couple to Tiger (2 weeks off for Reserve duties every month) and the others to China Southern. 4 crew to Aus and more money.
These places might not seem to be "greener" to you or me, but to them they are. To a man they did not even consider joining the (once) magnificent CX.
So I guess people NOT joining can have the same effect as people leaving.