About Emirates, why don't you believe it? as I said, 5-6 cadets told me the same thing and I don't find it surprising. Etihad did offer a 4 years contract, with a salary of 2000$ a month while training and about 6500$/month the first year as an FO on the A320 + housing, so I guess Emirates can do better.
Ive been to one of the assessments and the monthly salary during training is $10xx, and first salary is cut by 40% to accomodate training cost 'loan which equals about $4000.
That is the best contract ive seen but if you have spoken to cadets then thats ok.
Emirates isnt better off than Etihad, from what I heard(from a very high up and reliable source) Etihad is actually helping Emirates out financially so those conditions you were mentioning seemed over the top for an airline going through a major crisis. Then again I dont know, you're the one who talked to those guys.