I'd be surprised if Management themselves knew which way they'll eventually go on the SO question - or any other policy decision that's more than 48 hours away. Such things are in a constant state of flux, and will be decided with customary brinkmanship, (a trait among modern day managers certainly not exclusive to EK).
However, since this IS a rumour network, here's a Class A rumour. Treat it was you will. TCAS is said to have informed a very recent resignee (is that the right word?) that he should seriously consider putting off his decision until after the "big announcement" in October.
Whether the "big announcement" will be as out of touch with reality as many increasingly cynical EK pilots consider some other recent decisions have been remains to be seen, but if the powers that be had a modicum of sense, they'd sweeten both sides of the toast - a more than notional pay rise to keep everyone happy, (the fall in the value of the USD has hurt virtually all but the incredibly small number of Americans in the EK pilot workforce), and a significant (please note that word, anyone from management reading this), alteration DOWNWARDS to the minimum conditions/requirements/time in company for upgrade.
I flew with a very new FO on a recent flight who, IMHO, would be more than ready for upgrade after two PPCs. (No command time at all. Ex 747-400 FO with his country’s flag carrier, many years experience on the same international routes that EK operates on - and for the cynics among you, he has very dark brown skin.) Under the current rules, he’s in the right seat for another two and half years at a minimum while DECs with possibly no experience in the region or on type come in above him.
I accept that with the huge number of upgrades over the next 12 months, EK can’t fill all the vacancies from eligible FOs already with the company. However, ‘eligible’ is an elastic term, and can be modified to suit the constantly changing situation. It’s time to modify the current definition, gents.
In the past, every time EK has needed a large influx of pilots, a major airline somewhere in the world has folded, almost as if on cue. Now we see NorthWest and Delta declaring Chapter 11, so it’s possible it’s about to happen yet again. I just hope someone in Ops Management has the courage to stand up and remind the decision makers what a success rate EK enjoyed with the last batch of American DECs they employed.