F/Os have not previously had their upgrades delayed due to DEC recruitment. Current (attempted) A330 DEC recruitment is the same, any qualified F/O - and they have lowered the requirements - has been upgraded.
If they take B777 DECs - and I'm not convinced they will - then this will be different, very different, to any past DEC hiring. If I was a junior F/O I would be off to EY or QR for my upgrade.
Interestingly, this wouldn't be the case on the A380 - again upgrades are happening there on min time, so hard to complain! Still can't believe they'd put DECs on their pride and joy, but if they did it wouldn't stop any current F/O getting their command.
BTW, Malingo: I might be doing 85+ hours a month, but I'm earning over $22K a month with 42 days leave (even if I have to take that as cash not time off). Think KAL leave is 0 days if you take 11 days off a month?
Ancient TREs would be 30% more than me.
Lots of problems at EK but pay is not one of them.
Keep it rational!