This is XXI century, $5 USD/oil barrel days are gone, every single airline in the world, with the probable exception of the ME ones are all struggling to survive.
What's the problem if Norwegian or Emirates or Ryanair or Turkish, to name a few, contract direct entry captains for a new type? This is clearly the most cost effective solution! It's obvious in this case that make much more sense to hire guys with lots of 777 time as the transition can be done in a little more than a week, with the benefit from the long haul experience.
Just a little bit of reality check! Or the boys will be just jealous about not playing with the new toys?
When they signed the dotted line was it clearly stated that in case of a new type be inducted they would have any preference?
Calm down gents, nobody will ever think about going on strike about this!
FF