1. Of course there are secret police, but they do not normally bother expats, provided they do not involve themselves in political activities or criticise the Al Thanis. They do however try to trick the odd expat into selling booze to a local, by pretending to be in the market for same, so be careful of that one.
2. The Qataris are very hospitable people, and some very decent gentlemen of that nationality are QR pilots and managers. However, they do not, and are not allowed to, call the shots. PD is not pure Qatari and does indeed run the airline like a personal fiefdom (tautology?).
3 It is true that there are many pilots who are not from a First World background who are happy with the terms and conditions, and, for the avoidance of all doubt, are professionally extremely competent almost without exception.
4. If you can keep out of trouble, it is not a bad place to be, especially if you are of mature years and don't have kids to educate. The problem is keeping out of trouble. PD owns the goal posts and they are not fixed in any particular place!!!
5. It is with some sadness that I say that QR is not the place to go, unless you don't really need the job financially and want something to pass the time (and can't get job with EQ and GF!!).