Having a pretty good knowledge of both options... one would say:
Second officer wages in Cathay are not far off a skippers wage in EK. A skippers wage in Cathay is nearer three times that of a skipper in EK....
The provident fund in Cathay is much better too... in EK 10 years of service will have only accumulated US$90K... actually less that you have contributed...
Cathay have bases.... Dubai is for life..
Cathay have a union, it might not get its own way all of the time but at least its there, EK change the terms of your contract on a regular basis, and you can do NOTHING about it...
Cathay have a seniority system, EK are employing direct entry Captains on a higher scale than existing captains, and will continue to do so....
short term go EK and get a decent rating they are desperate for drivers at the mo.... that rating may be mighty useful in a couple of years... Medium or long term choice has to be CX...
