Those who are comfortably settled in Europe, with their fancy new equipment, home every night etc...will never hope to understand the reason
others will choose a different path.
Some may just like the challange, others just want a change of scenery...altho do think it a bit daft to move from the left seat to the right, for what may seem like a short while, but indeed may be longer than they think. Still, will suit a few.
As for pay, well don't forget that in the desert 'tis provided tax free, unlike further north in the comfort zone.
Free housing is not to be dismissed lightly either.
From a personal standpoint, went overseas over thirty years ago for all the usual reasons...excellent tax-free pay (then especially),
interesting location (especially SE asia later on)...and the absolute most important,
very rapid move to the left seat of a heavy four-engine jet. In a small company especially, this can be accomplished in short order...indeed it will take much longer the larger the company becomes.
Ah yes, the wailing and moaning will continue from the junior types in EK, but if the company
management decides thus, it will happen, and there is absolutely
nothing they can do about it.
Hey, if these junior types want to make 'decisions', they should apply for a management position, where they
might hope to accomplish what they cannot here (or indeed in the right seat where they are now)...change policy...or make decisions.
Would suggest...gear up and shut up for the folks in the minority seat.
Just the way it is, like it or not, and many won't.