And pilots know how the industry works? NOT!
Maybe because some have previously worked in management of an airline? Have you fatty? I have. Not in a big or successful one, au contraire mon commandant, but failure teaches lessons ..... although hardly applicable in the ME where face saving outscores logic, i admit.
As for production slots of smaller new aircraft:
If the trigger is pulled on the 380, within useful time those production lines can be converted to 350s/320NEOs. As this bullet depends mainly on EK, they can negotiate earlier delivery dates i assume.
But then again, pulling the trigger on such a prestigious product leaves too many d/h faceless around here. To the point that they'd rather have EK morph into a gulfair-like state than put on some clothes.