Thanks for all the great feedback nicholasblonde.
I have indeed been reading gouges. Here on my desk I have a file two inches thick of printed gouges and interview prep. I have D.P. Davies book, "Handling the Big Jets", "Preparing for your Cathay Pacific Interview", and several other items on the suggested study list. I hope I didn't seem disrespectful of what a second officer has to do. I have tremendous respect for those that have earned the position. Studying the gouges makes me realize that there is a huge knowledge and experience level difference between even the best flight instructors/training managers and a Second Officer at Cathay Pacific. I was pretty successful as a flight school manager and flight instructor, but these gouges make me feel like a complete idiot. I have taped to the wall next to my computer a list of Cathay questions that I can not yet answer, like "Why does the 777 not have winglets?"
The point is, I am well aware of my lack of flight experience. I just don't know how I can afford to get some now that I am almost 34, married, with two kids, and student loan debt. I will look into your idea of flying corporate overseas. I have also already applied at Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Academy. The problem is that they train in the Eclipse jet, which is under investigation and may soon actually lose its FAA type certification. (Supposedly the test pilots had recommended that the aircraft not be certified for single pilot ops, but management pushed forward anyway.) DAE also requires a 3 year contract.
By the way, I hear that there is an unpublished age limit to the DESO program. The career website says, "age commensurate with experience." Does that mean that I should have 8000 hours now that I am almost 34? I was a manager for a decade!