Female Pilots in Qatar

[JenJen86]

Hi

I'm thinking of applying to Qatar and want to get the opinion from other female pilots (if any) to what life is like there? I'm in my late 20's, single, no children (and no intention of having any). I'm currently flying turboprops in Europe but feel like it's about time I move onto jets. I appreciate any info or help anyone can give.

Thanks :)

[Capt Krunch]

Fubaliera

thats probably the most disrespectful, idiotic thing you have said thus far.. what are you 12yrs old.

JenJen86

there are plenty of women flying at Qatar airways, we even have some female Captains with more on the way. You dont have to worry about standing out as a female pilot here.
as far as life and lifestyle.. well, it is what you make of it. in a country with approx 1.3 million men and less than 350,000 women, you can expect the problems associated with those numbers. Dont worry to much, the country is very safe, it would just be a nuisance. (case in point Fubaliera)

[jackbauer]

JenJen, by now you've probably realised that life in the flight deck in this part of the world is tough for females. Lots of sexism and juvenile attitudes, put bad management into the mix and IMHO it's not worth it. Fubaliera is one of many children playing in this sandbox. Better stay where you are and wait for a jet opportunity.

[slowjet]

JenJen, you will notice, already, a low tollerance towards a sense of humour. C'mon chaps, Fuba was just having a 'boys club' joke & he is rounded on. Jenjen, that is the only problem with Qatar Airways. Lots of rules & regs but it really has to be that way in a large & ever expanding company. All my mates who are there even tell me that once you settle in, a certain, moderate, tempering of the rules will make your life easier, Yeah, you can expect the odd orange juice & bag of nuts from your Cabin crew.A warm, friendly, peaceloving country. Good luck with your application & enjoy the experience.

[PIPE RIDER]

Jen Jen, many female pilots in QR, still a small percentage but there is a very big percentage of professional pilots who disregard gender and appreciate to fly with a professional colleague (not like the ignorant fubaleira) in the years I have been here nobody has approached my wife in a bad way, she has drove me to and from the job at the wee hours of the night and no problem, and of course your dress code has to comply with some fake double morals of the locals, but no black dress for you .....jajaja,,

QR as a company? I will not open that door there are enough threads about it....

[Dreampilot787]

My advise to you would be to take the chance and go see for yourself.Dont let people on this forum scare you,after all,from what i have seen,these people never stop complaining or bashing qatar.Go with an open heart and open mind,its true that the culture may be different,but hey,we live in a global village right?a little humility and patience does wonders.And if qatar was as bad as what people post here,i think they would be out of pilots and crew now,but they are in fact doing very well.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Is it an urban myth or fact that EK CC were issued BC FOC.

If so was this only for CC, or could FD receive this benefit too.

Or just more benefits removed.

Is it or was it cash effective.

GlF

[givemewings]

Glf, I think that's a myth. I know of one or two who were suggested it to control severe acne outbreaks however considering 'technically' in the UAE and other GCC countries a woman needs to be married with a permission letter to get it, I doubt the clinic would be handing it out willy-nilly. (this rule isn't always followed elsewhere but I'd say the company clinics would be monitored for this sort of thing..?)

They do give everyone "the Talk" during cabin crew induction. Whether they do the same for the pilots is anyone's guess.... going from what I see, I doubt some of them listened! :E

There used to be rumours that 'back in the day', certain companies used to roster you for a quick little overnight somewhere in europe where you could get yourself back to 'working condition'. I still haven't worked out whether that one was true or not....! :uhoh:

[jackbauer]

JenJen, now you see my point from earlier. Majority of the comments above show a perfect example of the idiots you have to deal with. Testosterone fueled juveniles most of them. Hard to believe anyone lets them near an aircraft. The highlight of their day is an orange juice and some peanuts. Sad

[indianace]

hi jen..
qr is good..wishing u that u will get throught the selection.the country as whole is on google..just look it up..the company..well i have been here many years and no major issue.320 fleet as any airlines is the workhorse..
money is good and tax free.cost of living same as uk...just follow the rules and regulations as any places and you would enjoy it..many female pilots we have..infact my todays fo was female and she has been here few years..
my advice..forget about the goons who gives u stupid adv..as per now we have 1400 pilots and 4700 cc..
good luck.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Givemewings: perhaps the outbreak of zits was becoming an epidemic.

I am pleased to say thay not one of my female friends, has even been asked to provide proof of wedlock, before being sold zit medication.
even ZIT test kits are freely available, without documentation.

Also a slightly undecided friend, who bats for both teams, has a regular supply to encourage zit development.

The idea of medical crew tourism opens a whole new can of worms...

My lady wife is also a lady pilot, so I do get to hear some interesting stories too.

glf

[givemewings]

That was kind of my point, the company docs hardly need to hand it out now do they, when everyone else does it without a) anyone having to go near company premises and b)probably with a lot less hassle and not on your salary deduction :O

Yes seems most of the CC these days have really bad acne on joining.... lol...

As long as they are prepared to get the heck out of dodge if they end up with a bad case they can't get rid of.... then it should be fine...

For the original poster, I know several woman who've lived in Qatar... it's a bit stricter than elsewhere in the ME, and you might have issues here and there, but then again what woman doesn't? It's still a lot safer than many cities back home in the personal crime aspect. Just bring your common sense & wits with you, develop a good network of friends and make sure you keep your 'home network' strong as well should you need them. Sometimes it gets frustrating as 'sir' seems to get more respect but in some cases that can work in your favour... if you have male friends that sepaks Arabic, even better!! :E

[jackx123]

jenjen, life in qatar is.... muslim, and sharia'h law applies. there might be occasions when you don't feel" it but if the book comes out you bet it will be applied strictly.

E.g.

DUI leave country within 72h (happened to a non-pilot friend).

Sex outside wedlock is regarded illegal and jail sentence is mandatory (if caught), meaning opposite genders in the same room after last prayer (or onset of darkness) I believe. (see "sex on the beach couple" in Dubai)

[Non Zero]

Qatar is a very safe and much more advance than some other 'advance' country ... follow the news and you'll have a good idea on what kind of effort and results such a relatively small and definitely young country has achieve ... and although it is small country so far there was room for everybody, also pregnant women!:)

[devilavocado]

It looks like QA is good place for female pilots.I have several friends with a lot of wide body PIC applied for QA but they were not offered DE PIC on 777 or 330.
On contrary,one Spanish girl joined QA 6 years ago with very few hours and today she is Captain on 777. That is impossible to happen anywhere in civilized world,for sure.