Maybe it is all the bonds EK imposes on its pilots. I know we all should know before we sign on but they are still a steep hill to get out of and shouldn't be there in the first place.
Maybe it is the steep cost of moving to and from Dubai. Maybe it is the high cost of getting your home set up.
After all that a pilot feels like they have to stay and justify all the money they spent and yes "trapped" enters the lexicon.
Most pilots can't go anywhere else until they get PIC time and with upgrades taking 5 years and soon to be 7-9 years it is going to be a long time in the sand.