"So does all this talk about the US carriers mean that any US pilot that stays at EK is stupid to do so?"
Fatbus, this is absolutely not what I was trying to say. I was only answering the post. There is unequivocally nothing wrong with working at Emirates, should one choose to do so. It's all about choice. EK has a special place in my heart, it really does.
I, for my part, left EK and joined the big D specifically because of the retirement schedule and the seniority structure of the airline. 40% of their pilots will be gone in 10 years. Being in my mid 30s, it was a logical choice. It was not necessarily an easy one. But then again, home is where you heart is.
I would have most certainly found happiness continuing working and living in Dubai. But coming back to the States, and getting hired on at a legacy was the right thing to do for me. Other people have different priorities, and that's totally cool.