126.9
I hear what you are saying, but I am not sure that I agree that EK is actually a stepping stone.
The only place that you are going to go from here is to another expat/contract job that has management under pressure to cut costs. No one leaves here to go to a union protected flag carrier.
Once you get here it will probably be for the long haul. As bad as things are here, with changing conditions, no payrises, no representation, no contract, there obviously isn't anything better on offer or else people would be leaving.
So my advice is if you are looking toward EK, look with a vision to being here for a long time. If that vision doesn't meet your requirements then don't come, because it is unlikely to get any better, and you are unlikely to find a better offer in the future.
Of course none of what I have just said is valid if the long awaited amd much vaunted industry upturn and acute pilot shortage actually materialises.
But I for one won't be holding my breath.
dmf