Loopy,
You sound like a
PR department of an embarrassed airline."Face Saving" comes to mind.I know Qatar airlines is concerned about the adverse publicity they may get because I was told so!Positions offered will not be taken up by some.This is a concern for an airline that has had difficulty attracting pilots in good times and now faces knock backs from pilots unemployed.
The Sim exercise was not at all demonstrated by local airmen from the A320.The A320 is a beautiful aircraft on raw data and manual thrust,so I question your information regarding an inability of candidates to demonstrate the straight forward exercise mentioned.
The raw data exercise went along the lines as follows:raw data t/o,manual thrust,engine failure and ILS return or non-precision.Missed approach,flaps locked,return ILS with APU fire on finals with an emergency evacuation on landing.Busy yes,useful evaluation?
Pilots should be able to demonstrate raw data skills.The management of an A320`s systems and automation in the face of abnormal/emergency situations is I feel,more pertinent.Mode confusion is more of a risk or problem in this region than an irrelevant raw data exercise.Coupled with the admitted CRM problems of Qatar and you have a potential cocktail/Gulf Air.
The information we got from very nervous serving Qatar pilots was that there was a civil war going on.These gentleman were very apologetic and indicated there was two recruitment lists.One from the English and one from the local flt ops hierachy.Indications were of a senior resignation or sacking last week.
The two lists does explain why some candidates had flight directors,auto thrust and a basic base check exercise.Some candidates didn`t have to complete the exam and some were permitted do answer "don`t know" to recalls.
Good luck to all and I hope others(as promised) publish their experiences with a very unusual airline.