2nd rumour - we are so short of pilots that recently recruitment HR have been cold calling people who either turned down the job / didn't make the grade at the application phase and more surprisingly calling applicants' referees who are pilots asking if they would like a job!!
Even better, they emailed a colleague to propose a career opportunity with EK. The funny bit is, he's already an EK Captain and been here 9 years!! They must be emptying desk drawers looking for any old applications.