There are many pilots who have spent many many years at EK. As the previous poster mentioned, the real tragedy is CX have reduced terms to such an extent that EK is now a viable option. Especially when considering time to command and the subsequent total career earnings. The days of C scalers in HK buying an apartment are probably over. Do you want to spend your entire career making a local landlord rich? At least at EK you could get on the property ladder, which at least helps contribute to a better sense of well being and settled. I'm glad I don't have to make the choice, but for those of you younger C scale pilots, it's one you will probably have to make. I think CX will prove to be a graveyard for careers.