I know another guy who was in the pool for DEFO (Direct Entry FO). The pool was shut down and about a year later they asked him to come back and interview for a DESO (Direct Entry Second Officer) slot. He was offered a DESO spot, but then decided he didn't want to be an SO with the new terms at Cathay.[/QUOTE]
That was my exact story! You know me Cliff!?! Just kidding, that happened to a lot of us in early 2008. The bigger problem than housing is the schools. If you plan on raising or already have a family the schools are full and very expensive. Cathay does chip in for tuition but there are a lot of other fees that Cathay does not cover.
If the housing allowance ever returns are even comes close to what it was I would consider the job again.