Spiral climb,
There is a two year seat freeze when you get on a type. Fleet changes are rare. And when they happen, they happen for a very short period and for only a very few guys. So don't plan on that outcome.
By Nov 2012, 29 of 40 B777s left on order will be delivered. So unless there is another rather large order of B777s soonish, guys joining on the Boeing fleet now will be having the same problem from 2012 onwards as those FOs on the Bus fleet now.
With 155 aeroplanes in the fleet now, and, when retirement of aircraft are taken into account (all the 330s, 340s, 772, 773 we will have only the ers and lrs), only 140 extra aircraft on order with delivery dates out to 2018 atm, time to command for a new joiner will be dependent on retirement and resignation rather fleet growth (using the premise that the guy joining today will need the fleet to double to get his command, or if you use the 8 skippers per aeroplane (140 * 8= 1120) it looks even bleaker as the last 180 Fos in the company now already are missing out on command slots).
So if joining now, plan on 10yrs plus for command. Thats 10yrs on FO pay. 10yrs of not being able to use the J class cabin for staff travel when on leave with kids (y class is always full and the extra cabin choice gives a much greater chance of being able to get to or from somewhere). With kids at school this will be a financially stressful time.
If you have PIC on the A320 you will be taking a pay cut from either Jetstar or tiger, and for a long time to fly a bigger aircraft. Lifestyle here is not like it use to be, and in some ways a lot worse than the LCC lifestyle in oz.
There are plenty of command contract jobs for 320 skippers at the moment. So think long and hard about taking the EK gig after your interview.
good luck mate.
The Don