Evidently KA is being inundated with highly experienced pilots. These pilots must be attracted to KA because promotion is rapid and there's a perceived security under the CX banner that is better than the contract world.
A couple of important point that haven't been mentioned. The good ship Cathay is taking on water whichever way you look at it. We have been told to expect restructuring and restructuring has the potential to be dramatic. List mergers are back on the cards evidently; KA's Chief Pilot has been seconded to Cathay to work on synergies and operational meshing.
A new joiner at KA may think he's going to be seniority number 400 with a 12 month command prospect at KA but with one not unlikely announcement, could be seniority number 3400+ in a company losing a billion a year with a no likelihood of ever getting a command.
Be warned. Personally I hope the list merger doesn't happen but the 12 month command hyperbole could actually be a permanent First Officer position.