Working for an airline is more than just about pay. Most local carrier would of course prefer for fly for their flag carrier than jump ship to another airline. They deserve credit for fighting for an improvement than simply jumping ship to another airline which they could do easily.
Locke> You seem to misunderstand the issue a little. Don't forget than re-employment becomes mandatory in 2012. Being retired at 62 as opposed to being employed at lower pay is not the scenario. Hence the need to negotiate the pay packages for pilots upon reaching 62 when they are offered re-employment. As it stands, SQ is saying "forget all the pay rises you worked so hard for, the last 30 years, we are cutting your salary back to starting Captain pay the day you turn 62". My question is does this sound fair to you? Bear in mind here a pilot's job simply does not change in any way, shape or form when you turn 62. Thus you are asking someone to do the exact same job, at a much lower pay simply because of his age. Before anyone should lambast, put yourselves in the shoes of the pilots and ask yourselves, if you were them, would you accept SIA's proposal?