Also note that there are 13 different nationalities amongst the CC. Some of them dont get on at all socially.
Not to mention that their pay is 2/5s of sod all and that a 6 day LHR pattern can net them nearly a months pay in allowances.
I agree with jtr... once or twice a year you get everyone out. More often though you'll get CC who are married to pilots or other expats in HK - they cme out more often.
Also esp for the HK chinese you cant disregard the pull of the shops....they'd far rather blow all their allowances in Gucci or Prada than waste it of alcohol or food.
wrt upgrades and CXF - I hear that no-one applied for the SYD classic F/O positions; so 2 very new SO's are "upgrading" from the pax fleet. Nice pay cut if you can get it.