EK or QR?!?
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Have been following these threads closely for a while, would be keen to hear peoples opinions on QR v the 'unmentionable' airline in the current climate...
Could potentially be choosing between QR 320, or maybe 330 or the other mobs 320 or NTR 777 position.
Coming with >5000 and >2000 A320, particularly interested to hear rough timeframe for upgrade and QOL/rostering at either place. (Would also be bringing the wife and kid as well for what its worth)
The feeling I get reading here and talking to others is that QR probably has the most potential as an airline, although Doha less desirable than Abu Dhabi. Rostering possibly better at QR though? Please correct me if my radars way off or you have any advice though!!
Could potentially be choosing between QR 320, or maybe 330 or the other mobs 320 or NTR 777 position.
Coming with >5000 and >2000 A320, particularly interested to hear rough timeframe for upgrade and QOL/rostering at either place. (Would also be bringing the wife and kid as well for what its worth)
The feeling I get reading here and talking to others is that QR probably has the most potential as an airline, although Doha less desirable than Abu Dhabi. Rostering possibly better at QR though? Please correct me if my radars way off or you have any advice though!!
Join Date: Sep 2010
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Wondering the same as Bush Pilot even though I don't have kids yet, rated on both 320 and 330w. Currently flying the 330.
How does the packages compare ?
I'm leaning towards Abu Dhabi even though the package is substentially less from what I hear.
How does the packages compare ?
I'm leaning towards Abu Dhabi even though the package is substentially less from what I hear.
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I did the assessment at the unmentionable in 2015 before going to QR last year. I'm happy with my decision 'overall'.
Things to consider:
At my assessment at the unmentionable, we were told it is unlikely that your full allocation of leave would be awarded (because they simply don't have the capacity to do so). Not sure if this has changed but at QR I just got my full 42days allocated for the year commencing Apr 17 and got everything I wanted including 2weeks at Xmas and in July.
I heard the time to command at the Unmentionable was very long (over 5years, closer to 10). I was told by a mate who's there that this isn't true (at least in his case and others he knew) but what is true is the command failure rate is Very high - majority failing rather than the minority. Obviously you should think positive but something to bear in mind. At QR, people seem to be getting the call at 4years (although slight variations - experience, fleet etc).
At the unmentionable, I would've got 320 - I heard the roster is terrible and the 330 is not much better when you get the fleet transfer/dual rating. I got put on the 330 at QR and am happy with the roster so far... the bidding has worked well so far... when I want destinations I get them and when I bid for days off I get them also. I heard the 777 roster (and presumably 380) at the unmentionable is ok.
Also at QR if you're Type Rated (any fleet) there is no Bond. I seem to recall there was a bond at the unmentionable if you are Type Rated.
Regarding Abu Dhabi, I found it better than Doha but it wasn't 'that great', in fact some pilots I met were commuting in from Dubai.
On my batch at QR 90% of the pilots are family people and Doha works ok for them because their primary concerns are maximizing time off to spend with the family and schools... they're not bothered so much with the nightlife... and if you forget about that, then the Middle East is basically all the same... shopping malls and sand.
Anyway just a few points - you could consider a lot more, (in)stability of the airline, growth, benefits etc.
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Recently, I just got accepted by QR on A330 with >4000 hrs. I'm looking for an upgrade in the future with QR. Does anyone know what fleet assigned for upgrade? Am I going back for 320 or right away on 330?
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Just some things for comparison:
Comes down to what is important to you at the end of the day.
I did the assessment at the unmentionable in 2015 before going to QR last year. I'm happy with my decision 'overall'.
Things to consider:
At my assessment at the unmentionable, we were told it is unlikely that your full allocation of leave would be awarded (because they simply don't have the capacity to do so). Not sure if this has changed but at QR I just got my full 42days allocated for the year commencing Apr 17 and got everything I wanted including 2weeks at Xmas and in July.
NO CHANCE AT EK. YOU MIGHT GET 42 DAYS ON 380, NOT 777. YOU DEFINITELY WILL NOT GET XMAS AND SUMMER IN SAME BID YEAR
I heard the time to command at the Unmentionable was very long (over 5years, closer to 10). I was told by a mate who's there that this isn't true (at least in his case and others he knew) but what is true is the command failure rate is Very high - majority failing rather than the minority. Obviously you should think positive but something to bear in mind. At QR, people seem to be getting the call at 4years (although slight variations - experience, fleet etc).
AT EK ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 7 YEARS TODAY. IF YOU JOIN NOW IT'LL BE CLOSER TO 8-10. FAILURE RATE VARIES BUT PROBABLY AVERAGES AT 20%
At the unmentionable, I would've got 320 - I heard the roster is terrible and the 330 is not much better when you get the fleet transfer/dual rating. I got put on the 330 at QR and am happy with the roster so far... the bidding has worked well so far... when I want destinations I get them and when I bid for days off I get them also. I heard the 777 roster (and presumably 380) at the unmentionable is ok.
AT EK YOU MIGHT GET ONE REQUEST IN TOP BID. BIDDING FOR DAYS OFF OR CERTAIN TRIPS IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE OPTIMISER BUILDS ROSTERS FOR MAXIMUM TIME AND MIN REST. NEW HIRES WILL MOST LIKELY BE HIRED ON 777 WHICH HAVE THE WORST ROSTERS TODAY
Also at QR if you're Type Rated (any fleet) there is no Bond. I seem to recall there was a bond at the unmentionable if you are Type Rated.
YOU WILL BE BONDED (AND BRANDED!) AT EK FOR 5 YEARS.
Regarding Abu Dhabi, I found it better than Doha but it wasn't 'that great', in fact some pilots I met were commuting in from Dubai.
PROBABLY TRUE
On my batch at QR 90% of the pilots are family people and Doha works ok for them because their primary concerns are maximizing time off to spend with the family and schools... they're not bothered so much with the nightlife... and if you forget about that, then the Middle East is basically all the same... shopping malls and sand.
TRUE
Anyway just a few points - you could consider a lot more, (in)stability of the airline, growth, benefits etc.
I did the assessment at the unmentionable in 2015 before going to QR last year. I'm happy with my decision 'overall'.
Things to consider:
At my assessment at the unmentionable, we were told it is unlikely that your full allocation of leave would be awarded (because they simply don't have the capacity to do so). Not sure if this has changed but at QR I just got my full 42days allocated for the year commencing Apr 17 and got everything I wanted including 2weeks at Xmas and in July.
NO CHANCE AT EK. YOU MIGHT GET 42 DAYS ON 380, NOT 777. YOU DEFINITELY WILL NOT GET XMAS AND SUMMER IN SAME BID YEAR
I heard the time to command at the Unmentionable was very long (over 5years, closer to 10). I was told by a mate who's there that this isn't true (at least in his case and others he knew) but what is true is the command failure rate is Very high - majority failing rather than the minority. Obviously you should think positive but something to bear in mind. At QR, people seem to be getting the call at 4years (although slight variations - experience, fleet etc).
AT EK ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 7 YEARS TODAY. IF YOU JOIN NOW IT'LL BE CLOSER TO 8-10. FAILURE RATE VARIES BUT PROBABLY AVERAGES AT 20%
At the unmentionable, I would've got 320 - I heard the roster is terrible and the 330 is not much better when you get the fleet transfer/dual rating. I got put on the 330 at QR and am happy with the roster so far... the bidding has worked well so far... when I want destinations I get them and when I bid for days off I get them also. I heard the 777 roster (and presumably 380) at the unmentionable is ok.
AT EK YOU MIGHT GET ONE REQUEST IN TOP BID. BIDDING FOR DAYS OFF OR CERTAIN TRIPS IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE OPTIMISER BUILDS ROSTERS FOR MAXIMUM TIME AND MIN REST. NEW HIRES WILL MOST LIKELY BE HIRED ON 777 WHICH HAVE THE WORST ROSTERS TODAY
Also at QR if you're Type Rated (any fleet) there is no Bond. I seem to recall there was a bond at the unmentionable if you are Type Rated.
YOU WILL BE BONDED (AND BRANDED!) AT EK FOR 5 YEARS.
Regarding Abu Dhabi, I found it better than Doha but it wasn't 'that great', in fact some pilots I met were commuting in from Dubai.
PROBABLY TRUE
On my batch at QR 90% of the pilots are family people and Doha works ok for them because their primary concerns are maximizing time off to spend with the family and schools... they're not bothered so much with the nightlife... and if you forget about that, then the Middle East is basically all the same... shopping malls and sand.
TRUE
Anyway just a few points - you could consider a lot more, (in)stability of the airline, growth, benefits etc.
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Thanks Bananaman2, good to hear from someone who's actually there. Not too worried about the Doha nightlife so long as there's still enough of a social life to keep the family sane!
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How quickly things change. QR is now the airline of choice in the ME with enviable rosters on their WB fleet. Sad how EK has literally dropped the ball and kicked it out of the playing field.
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Regarding upgrade at QR....there are no set rules. Often people go from FO on widebody, especially the 380'to Capt. on 320
However it is common for 330 FO to upgrade on the same.
However it is common for 330 FO to upgrade on the same.
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EK on the 380 is still the best option for a new hire imo. The problem is how do you secure a seat? They can change allocations on a whim to the 777.
EK morale is currently in the toilet and the company is a badly micro managed circus but the reality is that 380 FO is a very good gig.
QR for now might have opportunity and quicker upgrades etc but you still have to LIVE in Doha.
EK morale is currently in the toilet and the company is a badly micro managed circus but the reality is that 380 FO is a very good gig.
QR for now might have opportunity and quicker upgrades etc but you still have to LIVE in Doha.
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Thanks guys. Not too worried about Doha's nightlife...
Saltaire, 380 FO might be a very good gig but time to upgrade is more than long right now and apparently they're now putting Airbus rated new joiners on the 777.
Saltaire, 380 FO might be a very good gig but time to upgrade is more than long right now and apparently they're now putting Airbus rated new joiners on the 777.
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About the command upgrades at QR...
I recently talked with a good friend who passed his command interview one year ago and they still did not schedule him for the course. Things are not going too fast there.
T&Cs must be similar in both places, salary too.
I would go for flying the 380 for EK rather than 320 for QR.
Living in Dubai is okay compared to Doha which is horrible.
Plus the 320 roster in QR is not the most comfortable I have seen.
Night turnarounds 3 nights in a row etc.
Unless you want to sleep at home with your family it might suit you.
(Sleep during the day...
)
I recently talked with a good friend who passed his command interview one year ago and they still did not schedule him for the course. Things are not going too fast there.
T&Cs must be similar in both places, salary too.
I would go for flying the 380 for EK rather than 320 for QR.
Living in Dubai is okay compared to Doha which is horrible.
Plus the 320 roster in QR is not the most comfortable I have seen.
Night turnarounds 3 nights in a row etc.
Unless you want to sleep at home with your family it might suit you.
(Sleep during the day...
)
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About the command upgrades at QR...
I recently talked with a good friend who passed his command interview one year ago and they still did not schedule him for the course. Things are not going too fast there.
T&Cs must be similar in both places, salary too.
I would go for flying the 380 for EK rather than 320 for QR.
Living in Dubai is okay compared to Doha which is horrible.
Plus the 320 roster in QR is not the most comfortable I have seen.
Night turnarounds 3 nights in a row etc.
Unless you want to sleep at home with your family it might suit you.
(Sleep during the day...)
I recently talked with a good friend who passed his command interview one year ago and they still did not schedule him for the course. Things are not going too fast there.
T&Cs must be similar in both places, salary too.
I would go for flying the 380 for EK rather than 320 for QR.
Living in Dubai is okay compared to Doha which is horrible.
Plus the 320 roster in QR is not the most comfortable I have seen.
Night turnarounds 3 nights in a row etc.
Unless you want to sleep at home with your family it might suit you.
(Sleep during the day...
)How long has he flown in the company until he got the command interview? Is he doing it in 320?
Many thanks.
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Bush... best advice on this thread is, depends on what you want, Money? QR Hands Down. Career progression? QR again Roster stability, QR again, unless you are on the Boeing at the Abu mob. Housing? QR, either on company accommodation or on the market, cannot even compare. City? Abu is better, unless you are on the market looking to rent, then I prefer Doha. My two cents? if you have a family, you will be better off in Doha in all aspects. If you are single, you don't need as much money and partying and chasing skirts is your thing, go to Abu....just don't expect a quick upgrade.
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New hires that are Boeing rated go onto both 787 and 777. We have 30 777X and another 30 787 on order.
On the Bus side, new hires with Airbus rating go onto A320 or A330. The A340, A350 and A380 have so far only been internal fleet transfer from 320/330. As we still have around 65 350s to come there will be lots of internal transfers with corresponding external hiring on the smaller buses.
Commands are running at 15-20/month but not enough to cover expansion. Recruitment is ongoing for DEC and DEFO on both Airbus and Boeing fleets.
On the Bus side, new hires with Airbus rating go onto A320 or A330. The A340, A350 and A380 have so far only been internal fleet transfer from 320/330. As we still have around 65 350s to come there will be lots of internal transfers with corresponding external hiring on the smaller buses.
Commands are running at 15-20/month but not enough to cover expansion. Recruitment is ongoing for DEC and DEFO on both Airbus and Boeing fleets.
