Unfortunately and amazingly, all that is said about QR and the senior management is spot on.
The culture is management by fear and the word empowerment is not in a Qatari dictionary - so yes there are some managers with the ability and the willingness to make decisions and use their experience to the benefit of the organisation but are basically not allowed too....nothing - I mean literally nothing is done without the signature of the CEO as this is the only way to maintain job security - this includes minor tasks such as waiving excess baggage on departure, upgrading passengers, or buying a printer for your office.
Senior managers have the ability to sign off a max of about $500 without his approval plus heaps of justifications.
This means the airline is very slow to react to anything and is unable to be spontaneous in its actions.
In the UK Etihad are very proactive in their approach to the market and are far more visilbe than QR ever have been - basically to get any thing approved is so painful - most don't bother!
Yes the airline does well in terms of product but if those running the show were allowed to manage it would be so much better. Managers from far better airlines have been recruited but left shortly afterwards due to the straight jackets they were expected to work in.
The reason people stay is the money and most are just waiting til something better comes along.
Morale is low and troops frustrated but fortunately for QR most are professional and continue to carry out their dutys while watching their back.
The CEO makes regular to visits the airport andon the flights pre departure to see everyone is behaving themselves (as per this thread). Or making phone calls to check how much leave certain staff have been taking as he has imposed rules about this as well. He has a radio on his desk which has an open channel to the airport so he can hear QR staff. DO YOU GET THE PICTURE?
Im sure others will give you their view as well...