Much has been written with regards to the standard of the CRJ/ERJ pilots who came to EK. Most seem to imply that the poor standards (the general rule, not the exception) of these guys is because of their previous aircraft type.
This is not the case. The poor standards came about because the guys who came from the US expected spoon-feeding in all there is to know when transitioning to a new aircraft type, new company rules (we have a lot of those), proper R/T (don't get me started) and operating in parts of the world they didn't know existed.
At EK, things are done differently - trainees have to work HARD to get through. Not impossibly hard mind you. But certainly showing up for a sim session or a flight without having prepared beforehand does you no good. Hence the poor reputation US pilots have at EK.
Again, this does not apply to everybody, but certainly most. I don't blame EK for biding their time for better quality candidates.
Not meant to aggravate anyone - just stating what I think is fact.