Leaving Qatar
I had seen various emails about the whole exit process leaving Qatar and thought I would write my own account to help you out.
A little bit of background info First Officer B777, Three years six months, no car, no company accommodation, no family in Doha, no cargo required, no credit card and I was is in the ISP
I had a fairly straight forward time and it wasn’t too taxing. It wasn’t as easy as leaving my previous UK airline (do your last flight, drop the uniform off and your done) However with a bit of awareness and being on the ball it can be done fairly easy.
So first thing first. You need to resign. 90 day notice period plus some days to exit are required. Now the fun starts, my future airline gave me about 91 days notice before starting and I needed to resign ASAP. The problem was Thursday afternoon and you cannot email the resignation letter, you need to go to the fleet office and physically hand it in. This caused some concerns as I was tight on time and off to Chicago the following day. I ended up giving 86 days notice (no problems however you pay for 4 days!). You’ll be asked to collect an ‘acceptance of resignation’ letter a week or so later along with the signature form.
You need to cancel credit cards at least a month before (I didn’t have a credit card or bank loan so very easy).
I emailed ISP admin (very helpful) and they send me a form about cashing in the ISP very early on. You wont get the money until a couple weeks after you exit Qatar.
Sadly there is not much you can do during the first couple of months until you get your last roster. After my last staff travel trip I paid a visit to staff travel at the villa 15 for refunds to be paid and during that time as them to sign my form - form signed signature 1 complete!
During the same day I visited Tower 2 letter collection place on the corner and asked about the US visa cancellation. She told me to come back after my last US trip and they would book an appointment for me. They were extremely helpful and I asked for her email address. I emailed after my last US trip and gave her a list of possible days I could go to collect. She did tell me that the embassy only accepts people on certain days of the week so best to get this sorted as soon as you can. Another visit to tower 2 before the appointment to collect the US embassy letter for cancellation.
I wasn’t in company accommodation either to paid a visit to tower 3 (the sun dial looking place), another signature.
A week or so before my last flight and more importantly after your last standard end of the month pay day. I visited HSBC to ask for a clearance letter (you need this to exit) and account closure form. HSBC will close my account after 30 days of the balance being zero or I believe you can leave it open if you really want too.
Last roster - appointment booked for US embassy. Letter collected from tower 2.
Roster changed which meant my appointment for US embassy had to be changed. I emailed the ladies in tower 2 and she booked my appointment for a Wednesday morning......slight stress my last trip freighter from PVG arrived at 6:10am. Thursday appointment not available so if I miss it Sunday which would have delayed my exit from the country.
Luckily we arrived on time. I went straight to the embassy (no bags etc). I was there at 7:15am and waited. Your last priority as cancelling the visa is a QR policy and not US embassy. A long wait and frustration I was done by 9:15am. Straight back to the Marriott to collect my Logbook, IPad and case, charger and cable, locker key and off to the QROC. I visited the library (which is near cabin crew briefing rooms) to drop off iPad etc and locker key. A trip upstairs to the fleet office and I waited for the form to be signed. The VPFO was in a meeting so I had to wait. I didn’t have to see the VPFO personally. During the wait I had my log book stamped and HR exit interview which was literally 2 mins of what could we improve on. I also asked for a letter of no accident incident a week prior and collected the letter. Finally I was out at 1230pm.
Off to the Marriott again to collect my uniform, token, passport, allianz cards, bank letter, ID. First stop uniforms - they want everything back and I mean everything....well..except the shoes! I didn’t have a set of epaulettes, a pair of wings was missing along with tie pins and the leather gloves......the charge to me 97QAR. A friend the previous week didn’t have his pilot case (340QAR charge), my case was broken, they don’t care, they just want it back.
Next stop tower 3 to drop the computer token off and then back across the road to Villa 9 security to give then the ID card along with lanyard.
Now to Tower 1 3rd floor to separations (no ID so temporary pass and they use your Qatar RP card as guarantee) They want the passport, and want to see visa cancellation stamp. Bank letter, Allianz cards. Once that is done, they’ll tell you when you can book your ticket home (eco upgradeable to biz) and give you a piece of paper. Back to staff travel (a short walk) to book your confirmed ticket.
I finally finished around 2.30pm on Wednesday afternoon and Flight booked home on Tuesday morning. I have to go back on the Monday to collect passport and I presume the final settlement etc. A much needed beer at the Marriott and I slept really well! It can be done on one day I did it !