Just some things for comparison:
Originally Posted by
bananaman2
Comes down to what is important to you at the end of the day.
I did the assessment at the unmentionable in 2015 before going to QR last year. I'm happy with my decision 'overall'.
Things to consider:
At my assessment at the unmentionable, we were told it is unlikely that your full allocation of leave would be awarded (because they simply don't have the capacity to do so). Not sure if this has changed but at QR I just got my full 42days allocated for the year commencing Apr 17 and got everything I wanted including 2weeks at Xmas and in July.
NO CHANCE AT EK. YOU MIGHT GET 42 DAYS ON 380, NOT 777. YOU DEFINITELY WILL NOT GET XMAS AND SUMMER IN SAME BID YEAR
I heard the time to command at the Unmentionable was very long (over 5years, closer to 10). I was told by a mate who's there that this isn't true (at least in his case and others he knew) but what is true is the command failure rate is Very high - majority failing rather than the minority. Obviously you should think positive but something to bear in mind. At QR, people seem to be getting the call at 4years (although slight variations - experience, fleet etc).
AT EK ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 7 YEARS TODAY. IF YOU JOIN NOW IT'LL BE CLOSER TO 8-10. FAILURE RATE VARIES BUT PROBABLY AVERAGES AT 20%
At the unmentionable, I would've got 320 - I heard the roster is terrible and the 330 is not much better when you get the fleet transfer/dual rating. I got put on the 330 at QR and am happy with the roster so far... the bidding has worked well so far... when I want destinations I get them and when I bid for days off I get them also. I heard the 777 roster (and presumably 380) at the unmentionable is ok.
AT EK YOU MIGHT GET ONE REQUEST IN TOP BID. BIDDING FOR DAYS OFF OR CERTAIN TRIPS IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE OPTIMISER BUILDS ROSTERS FOR MAXIMUM TIME AND MIN REST. NEW HIRES WILL MOST LIKELY BE HIRED ON 777 WHICH HAVE THE WORST ROSTERS TODAY
Also at QR if you're Type Rated (any fleet) there is no Bond. I seem to recall there was a bond at the unmentionable if you are Type Rated.
YOU WILL BE BONDED (AND BRANDED!) AT EK FOR 5 YEARS.
Regarding Abu Dhabi, I found it better than Doha but it wasn't 'that great', in fact some pilots I met were commuting in from Dubai.
PROBABLY TRUE
On my batch at QR 90% of the pilots are family people and Doha works ok for them because their primary concerns are maximizing time off to spend with the family and schools... they're not bothered so much with the nightlife... and if you forget about that, then the Middle East is basically all the same... shopping malls and sand.
TRUE
Anyway just a few points - you could consider a lot more, (in)stability of the airline, growth, benefits etc.