Qatar's Al Baker 'very disappointed' after latest 787 grounded by electrical issue

[Iver]

Sounds like the "teething" challenges continue with the 787. I am sure Boeing would rather not have these issues with Qatar and Al Baker who gets rightfully VOCAL about the delays, etc. Overlooking these recent electrical issues, it looks like Al Baker is happy with the aircraft and he plans a lot of expansion with the aircraft:

Photos: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qatar-Airways/Boeing-787-8-Dreamliner/2197522/L/%26sid=4903f046e263ca72bd0c4cd6dc1ecd44)

Here is the article that includes a video interview of Al Baker in the cockpit of one of the 787s at LHR (click on the video link within the article below for the interview):

Al Baker 'very disappointed' after latest 787 grounded by electrical issue (http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/al-baker-very-disappointed-after-latest-787-grounded-by-electrical-issue-380206/)

One interesting paragraph from the article in the link above:

Qatar is due to receive five more 787s during 2013 and will gradually introduce the type across its network as the fleet expands. The aircraft is now operating daily flights to Heathrow and its next destination will be Perth. Other early European 787 destinations will be Frankfurt and Munich. 787 Flights to Tokyo Haneda and Osaka in Japan as well as to the USA are also planned, says Al Baker.

[Joey Q]

In reference to the video.... Didn't know uncle Fester was running the show at Qatar.

[Iver]

I like the suave turtle neck... Appropriately dressed for the UK!

[chainsaw]

falcon10,

Where do these seemingly self-appointed pompous CEOs come from? Do they really lead the company through vast experience and educational achievements or are a just figure head that dictates orders to their western minions below them while they prance around on their yacht in Monte Carlo?


You may need to rethink your stereotype image of the airline CEO when it comes to Akbar Al-Baker I think. :suspect:

I first came into contact with Akbar Al-Baker in 1996.

Love him or hate him, you have to give him credit for dragging Qatar Airways up out of the terrible mess that it was in when the previous idiot CEO got given his marching orders, to where it is today.

And I mean TERRIBLE MESS - Qatar Airways was a total basket case before Akbar took over. And 'yes' I'm aware of the seemingly bottomless pit of funds that's been available to him to do what he's done.

However, there are a few points for you to consider Falcon10:-

1. Akbar is not self-appointed - he was bought in by the ruling family to clean up the mess that the previous CEO created. You mightn't like the way that he's done it, but you have to give him full credit for positioning Qatar Airways to where it is today.

2. He's no fool - he is VERY smart, VERY well-educated, TOTALLY ruthless about where he wants to get to, and pity help you if you underestimate him OR his intelligence.

3. He is VERY hands-on (to the point where micro-management is probably one of his biggest failings) - DO NOT underestimate his knowledge of WHAT is happening, WHERE it is happening, WHEN it is happening, WHO is involved, and WHY it is happening to/in Qatar Airways.

4. He is TOTALLY quality-driven - DO NOT understimate that side of him.

5. If you get between Akbar and where he wants to be, you will DEFINITELY come off second best - I have seen him in action firsthand (and no, it didn't happen to me, thankfully).

6. If Akbar gets the slightest hint that your goals are not compatible with his goals then you are finished - you will NOT survive.

7. There is only one way to do thinks where Akbar is concerned - HIS WAY.

Am I a fan of Akbar's?

Not particularly. But I've worked in Qatar and have seen first-hand how this man works.

I have to give him full credit for what he's accomplished.

[chainsaw]

glofish,

We could all do with a good laugh, so please provide us with your interpretation of the "missing qualities" that you describe, such as "fair", "sticking to promises, contracts", "equal treatment" as they apply in real life on a day-to-day basis, to expats working in the Gulf. :8

[glofish]

@Kijangnim
After all this is a rumour network and heavily based on opinions and not purely facts.

@chainsaw
One of the oldest counterargument is the: “…. but the others did it too …. “, mainly discovered at the age of 3 and dumped at adolescence by the more educated and balanced.

I work in the ME and I am quite aware of the “it’s our country, we can do whatever we want and if you don’t like it then leave” mentality. It’s prevalent in all airlines around here.

What bugs me with the particular specimen is that his achievements are quite admittedly based on heavy subsidies, not purely his merit. Furthermore he denies his subjects rights, like extramarital dating, that he almost just as openly reserves for himself.
At the same time he very loudly and in an annoying show-off way brags about everything of his airline and criticises everyone not providing him instantly and obediently what he wants.
This is not only in big contrast to the other CEO you took as comparison, but it’s a big and arrogant slap in the face of all people and companies that work for him.

If you don’t see it that way, be it, but I do.
If we complain, why not start with the worst.

[Craggenmore]

What's so clever about copying everything that Tim Clark does?

[recceguy]

He's no fool - he is VERY smart, VERY well-educated....
He is TOTALLY quality-driven....
DO NOT underestimate his knowledge of WHAT is happening, WHERE it is happening, WHEN it is happening..
Yes, and he can walk on water.
chainsaw from the PR department, that was your mission of the morning, to write this panegyric, and you did it rather well. Your boss will be happy.
A little hint : don't look too much enthusiastic, it will spoil the feeling of sincerity in your wording.

Kijangnim, are you trying to scare us ? in that case it's a failure...
Thank you for showing all of us that you would have been perfectly at ease in places like former East Germany, Cuba, Soviet Union - but we understand that you need that to pay the bills.

[glofish]

Kjangjin

I am aware of the stand of the forum owners.

I simply wanted to make clear what a stupid eulogy chainsaw put up. Using the word “if” means a “strong possibility of interpretation”, but no “statement or opinion”. Furthermore I did not mention any names.
By stating in your contribution the word “comparing” and using the “no no name” yourself, you basically insinuated I did what I did not.
Should I now have your identity revealed for such an insinuation???
That would put me as low as the ones who went down that road.

We are all well aware of the ease of publishing without revealing our names. By the way I did not see yours …. But isn’t this the very nature of such a forum? I agree that by publishing specific names one oversteps this freedom, but the way companies and individuals try to censure free speech on here is appalling.

I long back the days where we could call a goat a goat without fear of having all its paras ….. ehhhrrr lawyers jump on us the very next moment. :}

[Reinhardt]

Excellent post, Recceguy.
And at least chainsaw and kijangnim, you managed to scare away falcon10, who made a prompt retreat to his burrough after removing his post... which is unfortunately still surviving as quoted in chainsaw message... !

So by the way, is this beautiful plastic Boeing product back to the Middle-East skies ? some suggest it might be the same electric glitch as the United Airlines aircraft of last week - but it's only a rumor...

In any case, trust the Qataris to extract some discount from Boeing for that...

[falcon10]

Ha! I removed the post to prevent further quoting and reposting, not because I am afraid of legal action from some pansy ass pushovers running this forum! I didnt realize it had already been quoted, but that doesnt bother me at all. Sue me!

[360BakTrak]

Its flying. Did Dubai return today, not sure if its flown before or not. I'm guessing, however, that it was A7-BCA with the issue? If not, disregard!

[SpringHeeledJack]

Unless my eyesight is failing me, I thought I saw one gliding into LHR yesterday, Dec 18th around 10.30am local time.

[Jet II]

Qatar's Al Baker 'very disappointed' after latest 787 grounded by electrical issue


Well he should look on the bright side - at least he hasn't got any 380's yet..:uhoh:

[360BakTrak]

Unless my eyesight is failing me, I thought I saw one gliding into LHR yesterday, Dec 18th around 10.30am local time.

Your eyesight is fine, they have three 787's, one of which had the technical issue. They started once a day to LHR on December 13th.

[Luke SkyToddler]

AAB "totally quality driven", is that right :yuk:

So having a new chief pilot training every few months is "quality driven"?
Having the highest turnover of crew in the Gulf and losing 10 - 15% of your experienced pilots every year is "quality driven"?
Sacking good, experienced people for crazy things like not wearing the hat on walk around, drinking Evian, getting married without his personal permission, is "quality driven"?
Having the worst reputation in the entire region for rostering fatigue, corruption and incompetence is "quality driven"?

When the accident comes, it will not come because the planes weren't new and the cabin service wasn't marvellous. It will start, like so many accidents, because of something little and stupid.
... maybe because an excessively fatigued captain puts a wrong digit in the V speeds after 5 consecutive night turn arounds to the subcontinent.
... maybe because a brand new teenage filipino cabin crew was so scared of being "reported", that she didn't ask the CSD if that funny smell in the rear galley was normal.
... maybe because a third-world TRE gave his countryman a pass in the sim even though he made a total mess of his V1 cut, because they were mates 20 years ago back in the air force.

There's so many wrong things at that place I could make a much bigger list but it all comes back to one man.

When that dark day comes, which it will, then AAB will have the most blood on his hands of anyone, because HE is the one who has created that culture in that airline and allowed it to thrive. And in fact has relentlessly terminated most people who tried to make positive changes.

[salamalikum2]

I'm so astonished that AAB keeps quiet and doesn't show any disappointment when it comes to the ( continuously) delay regarding the opening of the new (and well needed) airport!

[checkthisout]

because the airport is in "his" country. he would never admit dohas own inabiliy of correct planning. but he sees every mistake in his opponents doing and threatens foreign companies with sanctions if they dont keep word in contracts. but if its local ones, everything seems is okay - inshallah

dont get me wrong. it is his right to ask for the rightful part of a contract. but then he should also accept that the world outside ME is currently underging somewhat of a economical crisis. therefore he should not measure with two kind of measurements when arguing with foreign companies that struggle due to the crisis and looking back to doha and its airport that struggles because of incompetence.

[Gutter Airways]

I'm so astonished that AAB keeps quiet and doesn't show any disappointment when it comes to the ( continuously) delay regarding the opening of the new (and well needed) airport!

He's in charge of NDIA.

[crewmeal]

So since this story broke, have the 787's been fixed and is AAB waiting for the next round of snags so he can have a moan about Boeing again?

[Dubaian]

Gutter Airways - correct. And since NDIA have recently terminated the contractor for at least most of the terminal buildings fit-out it's gonna take even longer.................

[salamalikum2]

And Rumor or not...;seems that the authority of this country is pushing MR AAB to give a 60% increase For Qatari pilots...only.
This rumor sounds familiar to me.
If true( i doubt but we never known)wondering how Mr AAB will resist the pressure.:bored:

[Iver]

If true, would not completely surprise me because of the recent QR defections to that other large UAE carrier that shall remain nameless for all eternity. With the extreme growth at both UAE carriers, QR have to do something to compete for and then retain high-quality pilots. You can replace flight attendants relatively easily but not experienced pilots.

Still doubtful the rumour is true...

[checkthisout]

60 % payraise for Qatari Pilots + retain "high-quality pilots" is a pardox in itself.

I dont doubt some Qataris are well trained after years of experience.

But it is a fact that in most Eastern, Middle Eastern, Southern and Southeastasian countries, CRM is a huge deficit.
Call it egoism, machoism, losing-the-face-mentality, the-im-always-right-and-there-is-only-my-way-or-i-report-you-way, temper, disrespect or whatever you want it. Most carriers have too much of that.

And its no secret that most Qataris get twice or more money for the same job in most companies in Doha.