Layovers
How many layovers you do is dependant on whether you are on reserve, and also how well you bid for flights that month. If you're smart with the bidding system, you can avoid undesirable flights, and desire flights home etc.
I joined EK in December last year, and have only had one turnaround since June. Best layover for me is a toss-up between Sydney-Christchurch and the Osaka flight :-) My first month of flying with EK I had a Birmingham flight, a London Gatwick, and a Frankfurt. I also managed a flight home within 2 months of flying.
So all is not bad.