many airline pilots i fly long haul with now ( my airline is uk based with european pilots mostly ) do not have a strong desire to go to the middle east anymore, the amount of people that considered airlines such as EK 5-7 years ago, do not consider it anymore.
The pilots that do want to go to the middle east are mostly low houred guys who dont have much airline knowledge nor experience in the industry.
Also, the American and Canadian pilots who are being layed off will only stay in the M.E. until the market is down, and in my opinion, as soon as the market starts to show a shortage of pilots again in a few years time, these guys will be off with heavy jet type ratings.....( i am generalising ofcourse).
Does this not concern the airlines who are now recruiting them???
p.s. this is a generalisation comment, no one should take offence.