RAM77,
You really reckon it is not a step forward.
I have so far seen EX SAA,BA,CX,SQ,Air Canada, United, Delta, Alitalia and the list goes on as a step forward for them. Now don't tell me that you guys enjoy a better reputation than the few names above.LOL.
Anyone making a career decision on the basis of what we write here is a real winner(Sarcasm). Aviation will never be a bed of roses again ( Remember Economics 101), and there is no grass in Middle-east. So no comparison to any part of the world. If all the folks were really that disgruntled than I would see a mass exodus. If this is a trick to distract guys from coming here than it may not work as Qatar would be on top of the exit list. They are still getting pilots from our part of the world and in truck loads. And for many of them Ek was the first choice.
Anyways I may have stepped on the wrong note here.
Later
A757
