I was under the impression that EK has adequate staff to upgrade to the left seat which is why the DEC program has been suspended. I ran into a number of 777 guys, former DAL who fled EK to KAL for DEC because EK delayed or even passover to the left seat. Reasons were not related to me for the reasons. There are some, however, that have been with EK for a number of years before, the left seat and holiday termoils are still happy with pay and housing accomodations.