I dunno Ike
Its just the same toy, repackaged.
...unless my info is out of date Pax fleet ....Start as a SO in Hong Kong ...yeah great!
Cargo fleet...direct entry FO EU bases ( and maybe the States too) ...Doesn't pay the same by a long shot, but you can move ( bid) after a term.
The recent ads in FLIGHT int (expressions of interest) were offering Direct entry FO, Pax fleet in Australia....and considdering that there are alot of Aussie SO, FOs in Hong Kong wanting to base at home, a new recruit going strait into a Brisbane base would be a real kick in the kazoo.
I cant really help with your original question, but I'd have to say EK is as good, or bad as the rest ...if you reed the other forums, no bed of roses anywhere