Zomp,
"EK is so short of crew due expansion and lots of resignations they have to go for DEC on the 777 too."
NOT TRUE AT ALL!
Ek does not have to go for DEC's on the 777 or any other fleet. EK CHOOSES to use DEC's and overlooks all of the qualified First Officers who could upgrade on either fleet. As noted on many other threads, there are many F/O's with far better qualifications than many of the DEC's previously hired.
As for your 2 mates, I can tell you that as of 3 days ago there had been no assessments for DEC's other than the 310 fleet. Obviously that will change next year, but recruitment says they are not doing any assessments for the Boeing at this time.
regards,
330 man