If your thinking your gonna be able to train with Etihad and then simply walk away to a different region it isnt gonna happen I'm afraid. They will be expecting loyalty and to be fair once your over there I don't think you'd actually contemplate coming back. It's lovely! (no doubt the salaries are massive too)
As for license authorities it isn't a case of respect or the like it's more to do with procedures et al. Conversions are possible and shouldn't be too expensive I'd have thought. Probably a few grand.
With regards to salary it'd be very nice to get paid whilst you train. Most of us are having to live on savings or go asking the banks for loans. Be grateful for small mercies my friend