Emirates or Qatar

[bluwbird]

I have been offered an FO position with both Emirates and Qatar. I am in a dilemma as to which one to take. Guys at Qatar seem to be a lot happier, however the downside is living in Doha (I have a wife and 2 young kids). Dubai from what we have seen is more family friendly, however guys at Emirates don't seem to be as happy.

Any guidance or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[Avid Aviator]

Doha is a hole, but good pay & promotion.
Emirates screws their staff, but Dubai is a good place to live for some.
Do you have plan C?

[V1cutz]

Emirates or Qatar? Neither!

[A320CaptDav]

There is no comparison between the two one is a dump and the other still bareable ... The other you don't mention would be the better one ... Take your pick

[MosEisley]

Neither, stay home and change careers

[Flyingishere]

I have been offered an FO position with both Emirates and Qatar. I am in a dilemma as to which one to take. Guys at Qatar seem to be a lot happier, however the downside is living in Doha (I have a wife and 2 young kids). Dubai from what we have seen is more family friendly, however guys at Emirates don't seem to be as happy.

Any guidance or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Do not come to this site for help. Only thing you get here is bitterness and negativity. Ask friends and colleagues. Do not base your decision upon this site. Everyone has their own goals in life and what works for someone does not work for the other.

[motojet]

Do not come to this site for help. Only thing you get here is bitterness and negativity. Ask friends and colleagues. Do not base your decision upon this site. Everyone has their own goals in life and what works for someone does not work for the other

I agree. Try and get an interview. See what you think of the company and talk to pilots while you are here.

[motojet]

My bad, I didn't notice that you had already interviewed.

[Fellowship of the drink]

Flyingishere,

Yes, ignore the negativity at your own peril. Naive noob

[Flyingishere]

Flyingishere,

Yes, ignore the negativity at your own peril. Naive noob

If you and others can give negative advice and just bombard everyone who actually try to make the better out of a crappy job/society, then I'm entitled to give my two cents. I am a noob indeed but I am not tilted behind my pc screen everyday and look for gratification from fellow Pprune tilters

[ExDubai]

I have been offered an FO position with both Emirates and Qatar. I am in a dilemma as to which one to take. Guys at Qatar seem to be a lot happier, however the downside is living in Doha (I have a wife and 2 young kids). Dubai from what we have seen is more family friendly, however guys at Emirates don't seem to be as happy.

Any guidance or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
First question. Did your wife visit both places? A lot depends on Missus bluwbird and her opinion!

Growing up 2 kids in DXB is a rather expensive challenge. Keep in mind that the EK school allowance doesn't cover the total cost and you'll have to put a significant amount on top.You might end up and subsidize the school with more then 1 months salary. The EK deal is just an "average deal", nothing more. It seems that QR improved their T&C's, their was a lot of complaining, but that seems to be history.

Try to compare the QOL in DXB and Doha. DXB is a fancy but also an expensive place. And keep in mind that DXB will introduce a VAT by 2018. That means another salary decrease.....

Don't get me wrong, it's not impossible to raise 2 kids in DXB on a FO salary, but it's an challenge. Don't expect to save a lot of money, forget the new fancy SUV and entertainment is mostly at home.

[sluggums]

I'm surprised flyingishere can post so much, given the amount of time spent in Costas yakking to the other drones....

[ironbutt57]

Hillary or Trump..

[Flyingishere]

I'm surprised flyingishere can post so much, given the amount of time spent in Costas yakking to the other drones....

Yet you post something everyday and complain because of fatigue and not enough rest. Perhaps get your ass away from the computer and sleep a bit.

[Chocks Away]

Bluwbird, congratulations on getting the offers, you'd think that's the hard work done but no :}
The crucial question is what fleet / type?
It's a very different life on different type fleets within a company, let alone different companies.
ALL airlines in this region and I mean all, are screaming for crew, especially experienced on type and we are talking of 3-400 per year per major carrier! You can include Turkish delight; Ethiopian; Saudia; Oman; NAS; Gulf; DHL and many new start up carriers to "the big 3" also. All with quite different rostering and fleets, so your fleet and their rostering are crucial.
On another point, this "hole" region is very hard to take especially in the hot Ramadan months to come (where most of the locals actually disappear to EU/USA)... and especially if you or your Wife have had no previous time here... it's quite a culture shock. In that sense - moseisley's advice hangs true, so be aware of AIDS (Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome).

Anyway Happy landings.:ok:

[sluggums]

Coffee's getting cold flyingishere...

Just registered on Pprune in March. So either you're new to the company or you had another handle and got outed as a management stooge...?

[Flyingishere]

Coffee's getting cold flyingishere...

Just registered on Pprune in March. So either you're new to the company or you had another handle and got outed as a management stooge...?

New and happy! Especially making you and others tilt

[sluggums]

Ah, new (naive) and happy... That explains it.

[Flyingishere]

Ah, new and happy... That explains it, and an expert of all things EK.

Never said I'm an expert ;) just giving my 2 cents ;)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e4/d8/e3/e4d8e365b6c267776544017ade98693e.jpg

[thatwasclose]

With a wife and two kids, Qatar. Never thought i would say that! You as a family will be fine and Doha is not bad for family life. EK you will be so tired that the place won't matter. Unless you a direct 380.
Good luck

[sluggums]

Fair enough, I changed my comment before you posted. But you are naive as you seem to feel qualified to condescend against the general feeling, based on what, a few months experience? Get some time under your belt, you're just the latest in a long line of new guys who drink the cool aid and then come back in the future bleating about how unfair it all is.

[Flyingishere]

Fair enough, I changed my comment before you posted. But you are naive as you seem to feel qualified to condescend against the general feeling, based on what, a few months experience? Get some time under your belt, you're just the latest in a long line of new guys who drink the cool aid and then come back in the future bleating about how unfair it all is.

Nope just happy to be away from my old employer:D

[N4865G]

The quality of life depends on what you make of it. Some people remain miserable no matter how successful their career is, others strive to find happiness in not-so-friendly parts of the world.
But to cut the crap - QR is a pleasant workplace, rosters are reasonable if you bid right (can be done), holiday leave can pretty much be assigned based on your preference. Speaking of the widebody fleet you get to spend reasonable amount of time at home.
People you fly with are 99% professional and friendly if you present cooperative attitude yourself (this is true anywhere you fly really).
As to the job security this is an issue which applies to all carriers in the ME. Stick to the SOPs and company procedures/limitations, be assertive with PIC whenever one wants to break the rules and you should be fine.
The key to your well-being in QR is schooling place for kids and living quarters near it.
You don't want yourself or your wife to spend hours on the road. This is a dangerous place to be so limit your exposure to the minimum required.
Once you find school where your kids will be happy and a house nearby find some friends, so you and your wife have someone to socialize with.
Use staff travel tickets to get out of Doha once in a while if you feel overwhelmed with the beige-coloured environment.
Doha can be a good place to live and great majority of people I fly with share this sentiment.
Bringing your Family here for a day can only give you a brief overview what the place looks like, but you need time to find the right place to live and settle in.
PM me if you have any more specific questions.
Regards
Dom

[bluwbird]

Thanks everyone for your input. Now for the hard decision :-/

[atlas12]

Have a look at the EK rosters then make the call.

[Vortex Thing]

Errm rather lieks nother thread I am surprised that people consider Doha and Dubai to have a similar quality of life.

I don't recall having to get permission to leave Dubai from my employer every time I get on a plane!

Doha may have stuff to do but Dubai has something for everyone and is hugely more liberal. The quality of what is available is not even comparable. Hainvg spent plenty of time in both I wouldnt take my family to Doha if they trippled the salary adn it is already very good!

Which airline you work for and how **** they treat you to be frank is not the same as the quality of life your family get. Personally, Dubai every time. More to do, better to visit, easier to leave and better to have a family in. Apc, Dubai 7s, etc etc but depends I supse on your nationality and what you like doing for me they werent even choices.

[tomuchwork]

Well, a while ago, when I was down in the ME flying for QR, there was no discussion where to go - it was EK.

Times change, as well in the ME, it seems the QR "package" became better, but it is still QR what is sitting there ugly in the shadow, waiting to jump at you(a bit dramtic, I know, but the best way you can picture QR airlines and it's lovely boss).

There is no comparison between Doha and Dubai.

The current deal at QR might be better, maybe even the off days may be better now(a few years the weren't, a lot of guys jump ship and that's why they changed it - empty cockpits do not fly well). But remember - they always can change the deal. It's even written in the contract(at least it was written in mine a few years back).

Honestly, if someone would ask me right now I would suggest to stay well clear of EK AND QR. If there is no choice, your old outfit is bancrupt or you need to work on your sun tan (:E) then I would always go EK. They are going apparently downhill at the moment but, after loosing enough experienced crew, will turn around(must turn around) or close down.