The lack of time off sounds extremely fatiguing and potentially hazzardous to personal relationships to say the least.
But we have heard this before several times and it is well known by now. If you go to QR, expect to work hard. Of course, you won't hear about it in the QR pilot presentations catered toward desparate pilots facing complete job loss or downsizing.
Based on the information I have gathered, it sounds like, while all fleets work you hard, some fleets are harder working than others. Most new pilots are not given a personal choice for fleet types - but others only qualify for certain fleets based on their specific hours/experience. So, it sounds like you could rank the fleet types by roster difficulty. Although things could change, it would be good to know in order to manage your expectations. If you are assigned a particular fleet, you may work harder than others assigned different fleets.
Although all fleets will likely work you hard, based on several posts on this forum from pilots on various fleets, rosters from easiest to hardest in terms of hours flown per month and potential for time off could be ranked like this:
A300-600R Freighter (Easiest)
A330/A340
777
A320 (Hardest)
Would people agree/disagree with that assessment? Not sure where the 787 will eventually end up on that list. Clearly longhaul flying may entail worse jetlag across so many timezones - so, even though you fly fewer hours you still feel terrible due to the jetlag factor...
To refresh peoples' memories (and, if these are still accurate, to help
manage expectations) see two posts written by QR A320 pilots a few months back as well as a "sample" A330 and 777 roster posted by QR pilots previously - not certain if the situation has changed or impoved since it was written (certainly hope so but doubt it).
Any updates I am sure would be appreciated:
For those contemplating joining QR, here is an actual roster for A320 Captain.The month and specific destinations have been omitted to protect the innocent. All times are based on DOHA which is where your body clock will be.
Day 1. day off at out station in Europe.
Day 2. wake-up-call 2150 to fly back to Doha.
Day 3. Land DOH 0535, report again 2245 for Gulf turn-around (3h on gnd).
Day 4. Land DOH 0645, report again 0000 for Gulf turn-around (3h on gnd).
Day 5. Land DOH 0555, report again 1945 for Gulf turn-around ARR DOH 0000.
Day 6. report 1800 regional turn-around
Day 7. Land DOH 0015, report again 1345 for three-sectors (Gulf + layover),
Day 8. land at outstation 0120 (layover), wake-up-call 1500, land DOH 2230
Day 9. off
Day 10. off
Day 11. report 0650, four-sectors around the Gulf, land DOH 1700.
Day 12. report 2245 for Gulf turn-around (3h on gnd)
Day 13. land DOH 0645, report again 2345, two sectors for layover.
Day 14. land at outstation 0830 (layover)
Day 15. wake-up-call 0855, two sectors, land DOH 1910
Day 16. off
Day 17. report 2345, regional turn-around
Day 18. land DOH 0545, report again 1925, one sector for layover
Day 19. land at outstation 0055 (layover), wake-up-call 2300
Day 20. operate back to DOH followed by a Gulf turn-around, land DOH 1050
Day 21. off
Day 22. off
Day 23. ground school (ex. crm, security, dangerous goods)
Day 24. report 1045 Gulf turn-around plus regional turn-around, land DOH 2230.
Day 25. off
Day 26. off
Day 27. report 0700 one sector to Europe for 22h layover.
Day 28. wake-up-call 1030 fly to DOH plus Gulf turn-around, land DOH 2320.
Day 29. report 1230 one sector to Europe for 24h layover.
Day 30. wake-up-call 2200 to fly to Doha
Day 31. land DOH 0530.
This roster has the minimum eight days off, of which seven are at home and one is in a hotel (Day 1). 92 block hours and 160 duty hours (= salary QAR42,500). Generally it is unusual to get days off at outstation.
You will often get a 10-12 day pattern with a combination of day and night flying with the one legal day off in the middle. Rest of the month will obviously be better.
QR operates strictly according to legality. No regard is taken for family issues, fatigue-issues or the flight safety implications fatigue has. You will be tired beyond your imagination, but you will get a decent meal at 3am if you wish.
By the way, management cancelled one week’s leave for all A320 pilots this winter.
And another A320 roster example:
Here is another actual roster.
Again, all times are based on DOHA which is where your body clock will be.
Day 1. off
Day 2. report 0630, Gulf turn-around, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 3. report 0035, one sector for layover in India, land at 0615.
Day 4. wake-up-call 0400, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 5. report 0035, one sector for layover in India, land at 0615.
Day 6. wake-up-call 0400, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 7. report 0040 for regional turn-around, land DOH 0610.
Day 8. off
Day 9. report 1515 for three-sectors, Gulf turn-around, followed by layover India.
Day 10. land at outstation 0130 (layover), wake-up-call 2330.
Day 11. land DOH 0620. followed by 17hrs 25min rest.
Day 12. report 0015, regional turn-around, land DOH 0620.
Day 13. report 1115, regional turn-around, land DOH1940.
Day 14. off
Day 15. off
They actually gave me duty on my day off on day 14 (without asking), but I reported sick for that day.
You will get a pattern like this almost every month.
For comparative purposes, some other fleet roster examples from other posts:
A330 Roster :-
2 x BRU
1 x ICN
1 x MNL
1 x DXB
1 x FCO
1 x ZRH + STR (3 sector day)
A return from LHR at the beginning of the month meant just over 99hrs flying.
And "typical" 777 roster from previous post:
Typical monthly Qatar 777 roster
2 JFK (3 Days trip)
1 MEL (4 Days trip)
1 BKK-SGN (4 Days trip)
1 PVG (3 Days trip)
2-3 days off between and some stand-by
Flight time 120hrs/ 75 logged hours