Qatar current affairs
Here is the latest on Doha..
In the past year approximately 12-14 controllers have arrived for Approach training and qualification in Doha. Since September 2013 (same year period) 12-14 controllers have left the operation.
Current APP staff numbers less than 14. NATS was hired to develop procedures and airspace for Qatar. They recommend our Approach sector should have 30+ qualified APP controllers. QCAA management believes our current staffing is good!
Serco tried to staff this unit in Sept. 2013. Although they hire hundreds of controllers every year for the Middle East they couldn't even find 5 controllers interested in Doha because of the package offered. Serco is now gone.
We currently work Day/Afternoon/midnight and one day off which we are now on standby for. No six days on / four days off here mate.
You are only allowed to leave the country on holidays 3 times a year, "package condition." If you want to take leave from a midnight shift management charges you 2 days leave!
If you have children forget this contract, the allowance for education is lowest in the middle east.
QCAA supplies housing instead of giving a suitable allowance like most contracts. If you insist on an allowance they pay half of what a pilot at Qatar Airways receives. Average housing cost for reasonable accommodation is 15,000 - 18,000 riyal and that is very moderate housing. QCAA allowance is 6,500 riyal.
Be warned our last couple of new hires (start of 2014) were told compensation would be "X" riyals/month and when they arrived they are being paid lower than agreed upon.
Qatar has the highest cost of living in the region, much higher than Dubai and yet the package compensates less than Dubai. Workload/ time in position/days of work are much more here than other notable contracts in the area. I have worked at a few of them in my extensive career in the middle east.
Why do some of us stay you ask then.. Everyone has their own reasons, for some it is just easier to stay then job hunt however many controllers here are looking now. We have just lost 3-5 in the past 2 weeks.
If you have any offers any where else in the world you would be wise not to even consider coming here. If you come anyways you'll remember this haunting advice shortly after your arrival.
QCAA really needs a complete overhaul of its management, package and operation. This is known by many in the region.