John, I understand what you are saying, but, in both my personal and peripheral experiences, I have found that it is harder than you make it out to just cut-and-run. For one thing, some people, despite having worked at a bad school, want to stay in China. Hopping on a place, I imagine, would make a return difficult. I know many people who come to China for both work and to travel, with an emphasis on work; which means, they come to China with very little money. Not everyone can afford to burn-rubber down the runway. I am familiar with this school, and know that they have strong ties to the police office, and many government official and their children attend. In China, you know what that means. So for people who just can't afford to leave, who have no job back home, who came to China with hopes of a future and something more long-term (not to mention legal issues and problems that can ensue), make a quick dash for the airport not an entirely realistic option. And the people at this particular EF know this. And put it to use effectively, and in their benefit. Otherwise, you are right, foreigners do have more power than they think in most circumstances.