Can you run the ping test with the source or interface option to insure the source address of the ping test is coming from the connected interface.
ping
ping 10.124.53.10 source 10.124.53.9
or
ping 10.124.53.10 interface ge-0/0/8
This will insure you are testing the link itself both ways. I'm wondering if your ping is sourcing from the loopback the the return routing path from the remote side is using the other link or some other path.