A few (Millerscourt for example) might well be surprised at the salaries offed from time to time for very short term Command contracts.
Suits me to a tee, especially as our small company has interesting projects underway...which pay a whole lot
more. 
Now then, it seems to me that when I first went to the middle east (1971, Commander, not as a First Officer) folks had a clear idea of what was on the table, and just got on with the job.
When better prospects emerged along the way (SQ for me) off they went...
always as a Commander.
None of this nonsense of moving to the RH seat, in 'hopes' of that ever elusive Command.
Except under very unusual circumstances, the above mentioned foolishness is a road to disaster...as more than a few have found out at EK by now.
Put some starch back into your backbones guys.
If EK isn't the bed of roses it once was...move along to somewhere else.
Now, having said this...sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.