Called up a friend in EK who's been there for almost 20 years. He has some insight in the recruitment process and according to him no FOs in EK with the required hours will be delayed in their upgrade.
The company had two options, lower their requirements for upgrade within or open for DECs. Right or wrong, they choose the latter.
And, why are you all focusing on the "narrowbody" pilots? The 50 tons is a minimum. I'm sure there are lots of guys with wb time that will be interested. I've met guys here in Singapore with thousands of 777 and/or 744 command hours that are interested. Swan man and cerbus, do you consider SIA a "****e" or a "dodgy" airline as well?