aupilot,
i'm not sure what you're making but CX has one of the best payscales out there. first year salary + per diem + 401k equivalent you're looking at about 96k gross first year FO. I heard a second year FO filed his W2 with a gross of 110k for the year. not too shabby... yes sounds like a lot of commuters out there, buying zeds or full fare to get to work. that's your only option unfortunately.

and no you need a ATP for coversion to HK license for FO...