Hi All,
My 2 cents, having flown both.
Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Lifestyle.......
I am not pro/con Airbus or Boeing, they both have positive/negative sides.
The 744 is not a machine to "learn" the airline business on straight out of flight school.
On the bus you would do way more sectors, see things and do X wind landings, more hands on flying compared to the 744.
Before I got my hands on a Jumbo, I flew 3000+ hours turboprop, then the bus, followed by the 747-200/300/400.
I learned most about flying on the turboprops, I used to like flying then.
Then the newness wore off. And went looking for a retirement job!
A job, with stability and good conditions, good equipment, days off.
basically lifestyle.
Now as a 744 Captain, I have come up the ranks from small twins, to medium and then heavies!
The best flying was at the beginning of my career, But eventually it became work. the 747 is a nice machine to fly but I don't "fly" it to often.
Once a job becomes "work", you might as well get the best out of it!
Lifestyle is what I choose!..
As for typerating: I would take the Bus, you can fly every bus, there are more built, the 744 is on its way out, think fuel prices, etc
Good luck with your choice