CrazyCanuk, and all other interested parties
Sandman is correct. Yes there are many people here that joined under the new rule and were aware of what they were getting into, but all the 777 guys who are being bypassed at the moment, joined when the only rule was 4500 hours total time and 1000 on jets (there were some caveats on the 4500 hrs in regard to 2nd pilot and aircraft weight) to be eligible for a command. The rules changed after they quit their jobs and arrived in Dubai. Many of them are justifiably very frustrated. I think most guys can understand and accept the accelerated command process, until they start upgrading guys 18 months out of seniority. And that is the accelerated command seniority. The irony is that last year several 777 guys were bypassed by 330 F/O's because the company only had transition command courses. This year some 777 F/O's are being bypassed for 330 commands because they only have short courses on the 330.
All of the above is really just technicalities. The real message here is that if you have a good job, think long and hard before you leave it to come here. Just as things have changed significantly over recent years, so will they change again. It may be for the better, but if history is any indicator it will likely be for the worse.
If on the other hand you dont have a good job or you have a burning desire to live in the Middle East, then come on over, it is worth it for the chance at a widebody command and Dubai is by far the pick of the Middle East cities. Just dont assume that the rules of today will continue to apply once you are employed.
I am also willing to bet that CrazyCanuk probably does meet the accelerated command criteria, and is probably already on a course and is so engrossed with his own self interest that he cannot spare the time to consider how he would feel if he was on the receiving end of EK random contract variations.