The B747 fleet is currently short of S/O's and with some about to leave for F/O training on B737 & A330 fleets, the shortage is going to be critical. Some of the new hires may end up going Boeing instead of Airbus
I'd heard that new hires will all start on the A330, as that is the intent of the EA, allowing A330 SO's to move up to the B747 or A380.