"Up Front" they're a great bunch of pilots and far from desperate.
Many saw it as an opportunity to extract themselves from low cost carriers, one in particular, for many others it is a way back to Europe and then there are those who were forcefully retired and need or want to extend their career.
It's not for everyone but it's an opportunity to gain a good, wide-body type rating with long-haul experience and the ability to move onto other things when the opportunities arise. Many are doing just that.
I don't think anyone joined for either the money or out of desperation. They may leave for those reasons though.