Sandhound,
My point is that the US market is gradually recovering and I have read that a number of "desirable" US airlines are announcing hiring efforts now and in the fall - Delta (world's current largest airline until UAL/CAL consummated), JetBlue and AirTran have announced hiring. This means American pilots looking to return to the States may act on it if given the opportunity. Former CRJ pilots who now have 777 experience with EK may be in a better position to land a job in the States.
EK should expect more Americans leaving if the poor conditions continue. That said, EK managers probably won't care with the huge number of Indian 737/A320 pilots who would kill for an EK job.