Airmanship
I see nothing changes on the dusty farm. Arabic experts from far away giving advice to poor souls lost in the sandpit. Let us help SNAM, Ho and Pacificbird understand anomalies of mid-east aviation that should affect a captain's fuel uplift calculations. Forecasting, NOTAM and ATC:
1. Visibility is consistently poor. In fact the sun usually disappears into the smog haze before reaching the horizon. Add to that just a 20kt wind and it's on minimums in blowing dust.
2. The ATIS is nothing more than the last published METAR. It is not a "live" service as found in some other countries.
3. ATC varies from excellent to absolutely useless depending on airport and your luck regarding the ATC roster.
3a. Did you know that in 2007 Doha Radar only had 7 full-time rated controllers? (today?) Do you realize that in Doha only one rated controller is on duty at any one time? No relief, no support, not even for the bathroom. I have personally witnessed the SATCO completely lose control of his airspace, about 30 aircraft on frequency, total chaos, two TCAS events resulted. After that incident a vaguely worded NOTAM was issued that suggested it might be wise to carry holding fuel for Doha on Wednesday evenings, no mandatory holding fuel was NOTAMed.
3b. Enroute ATC is equally erratic. Westbound from Doha, or eastbound to Doha, it is not uncommon to be held 4000 feet lower than planned for 800 miles. Sometimes over the Arabian Sea you could be held low for over 1000 miles.
3c. Closure of alternates. On approach to DXB I was once told the airport is now closed due weather, SHJ is likewise closed, AUH and ALN have no space for you, state your intentions. AUH was the flight planned alternate, wisely we had carried DOH plus some.
Long haul flights usually land fat and have little to stress about. It is the short flights around The Gulf where there is usually not enough surplus fuel for even a single go-round and visual circuit before diversion. Add to this the endemic NOTAM, forecasting and ATC problems and you have a fuel uplift question that requires very careful consideration by the commander.
As in all other matters, Goat management has shown its immaturity. Letters and threats instead of training and encouragement. Airmanship replaced by intimidation.