well, regarding the 10 months in advance, I did warn you all I was a very new member..
But seriously, it probably comes from having greater familiarity with point to point cruising where the best cabins (& early bird prices) are to be had by booking early. I guess there's some attitude adjusting necessary.
I would beg to disagree with the pessimistic view on Swine Fever. Melbourne has been dubbed (at least by our media) as the "Swine Fever Capital of the World" due to a few (well publicised) deaths. But despite media beatups, it's proved to be a 24 hour sensation and there is little evidence of large scale disruption in large (or small) companies, and only a moderate level of complaints from the tourism area about a falloff in overseas tourists. So I see it as a short, sharp shock to be followed by a reasonably rapid return to normality.
But I do like the idea of booking with Cathay Pacific now (as long as I can cancel at a later date) & then waiting to see what Emirates do. I will admit to being surprised that they are prepared to let so many other 4 & 5 star airlines undercut them by many 1000's of dollars.
Thanks for the responses
Dave