Good day Jim,
I'll see if I can answer your questions:
I'm aware of a few Americans hired within the past 4 months. A couple were ex-TWA/American. I think that they were either laid-off or about to be. I believe there are also ex-US Airways types. EK is hiring like crazy because of planned and un-planned expansion.
I wasn't sure if the original poster meant 'get along' in Dubai or in the flightdeck. My general answer covers both.
The pilot group is extremely diverse. Apparently over 50 nationalities. Not sure which group is the biggest. Lots of UAE Nationals, Aussie's, Kiwi's, Brits, S. Africans, and Canadians.
The tech exam I was given was a written multiple-guess type exam. Basic ATPL stuff.
Hope this helps...