Commuting while working for Qatar?

[NeverStopTrying]

I'm considering making the move to the ME because I want to get a head start when I reach my 30s finance wise. I do have my life pretty wel set up here in Europe though. My colleagues claim that the Qatar bidding system is so good that you can easily spend 7 consecutive days at home a month.
Does anyone care to shed some light on this matter? Greatly appreciated!

[A777Er]

I'm considering making the move to the ME because I want to get a head start when I reach my 30s finance wise. I do have my life pretty wel set up here in Europe though. My colleagues claim that the Qatar bidding system is so good that you can easily spend 7 consecutive days at home a month.
Does anyone care to shed some light on this matter? Greatly appreciated!


depends on which fleet FO or CAP .

[NeverStopTrying]

depends on which fleet FO or CAP .

777 or 787 FO position.

[A777Er]

777 or 787 FO position.
Can't speak about the 787
But 777 getting 7 days in a row without using your leave days it is impossible some pilots they try to use 7 days of their leave every other month since you have 42 days per year
And with no leave you can get up to 6 days in a row using the bidding system but if you will.be lucky and get it one month don't expect you will get it again FO roster on 777 is heavy now .

[CDRW]

You might see rosters that give 5-7 days off in a row. Trouble is that's now. The airline is dynamic - very dynamic and the situation can change very quickly by the addition of a few new aeroplanes on short notice ( 74-8) as example, or the delay cancellation of more metal that was already in the commercial plan.
Do not join Qatar with the expectation of a commuting contract.

[666]

Very wise word from CDRW

[NeverStopTrying]

You might see rosters that give 5-7 days off in a row. Trouble is that's now. The airline is dynamic - very dynamic and the situation can change very quickly by the addition of a few new aeroplanes on short notice ( 74-8) as example, or the delay cancellation of more metal that was already in the commercial plan.
Do not join Qatar with the expectation of a commuting contract.

Thank you. I will heed your advise.

[Papa_Golf]

777 FO here.

Commuting is not an option.

[Seamin Stains]

All the Khaleegi Airlines abhor even the thought of the word commute. Because there, you are not just a pilot. You're a slave in a golden cage!!! So think carefully and wisely!
Once you enter this harram al what even airline you chose!!... you give our body and your soul to them!! Khalas!! commuting is not an option! An you will be heavily sanctioned if you try to out side of what they allow!!..........AND THEY DON'T Care! There is no humanity here!!

[NeverStopTrying]

777 FO here.

Commuting is not an option.

How is working for them? I've been hearing very mixed reviews.

[NeverStopTrying]

All the Khaleegi Airlines abhor even the thought of the word commute. Because there, you are not just a pilot. You're a slave in a golden cage!!! So think carefully and wisely!
Once you enter this harram al what even airline you chose!!... you give our body and your soul to them!! Khalas!! commuting is not an option! An you will be heavily sanctioned if you try to out side of what they allow!!..........AND THEY DON'T Care! There is no humanity here!!

Damn dude, easy now. Why not just leave if you hate it so much? I'm not advocating them at all, still on the fence about joining. It's good money...

[Lepo]

Bear in mind the contract is non-commuting.

Nowadays some people might be able to commute due to a more relaxed roster on their fleet, but things change constantly in Qatar Airways, so what is happening now might not be in one year.

The only things guaranteed are 4 consecutive days off per month and 42 days annual leave, which you can divide into up to 7 periods of 6 days (which count for 7 days actually because they also guarantee one day off after each 6 day leave period). You can try to use the bidding system to get up to 6 consecutive days off in a month or add more days off before/after your leave, but there's no guarantee you'll get that even though the system generally works pretty well. Just don't count on that happening every month.

[Papa_Golf]

How is working for them? I've been hearing very mixed reviews.

It’s allright. Good salary and benefits. Demanding rosters sometimes but not nearly as bad as 2018. Training and checking is straightforward and most of the time very relaxed.

Working and living in the ME is ups and downs.

My mrs is also working in Doha, so I have no urge to go home on my days off.

[Farrell]

because I want to get a head start when I reach my 30s finance wise

I’m laughing at this. God bless you, kiddo! 😊
Your Facebook pics will be the same as the rest of us.
“Me in my Audi R8”
”Me in dah club”
“Barbecue night at the Shangri-La”
”My Russian girlfriend”

[CDRW]

Papa G but it succinctly. If you go there and dont give it a chance and unable to change you will hate it.

Can you get back to europe on a regular basis ( we dont use the swear word 'commute') - absolutely - but it's on a month to month - or roster to roster- basis. The airline is expanding and many more cities are being added or frequencies being increased.

Stay away from getting the flashy car, the regular brunches, and partying like a banshee and the $ or € will be good.

[NeverStopTrying]

I’m laughing at this. God bless you, kiddo! 😊
Your Facebook pics will be the same as the rest of us.
“Me in my Audi R8”
”Me in dah club”
“Barbecue night at the Shangri-La”
”My Russian girlfriend”

I'm not into any of those things. The missus definitely won't like the Russian girlfriend part.

[NeverStopTrying]

It’s allright. Good salary and benefits. Demanding rosters sometimes but not nearly as bad as 2018. Training and checking is straightforward and most of the time very relaxed.

Working and living in the ME is ups and downs.

My mrs is also working in Doha, so I have no urge to go home on my days off.

Much appreciated. It's good to hear different perspectives. Cheers.

[Bo Wing]

My mrs is also working in Doha, so I have no urge to go home on my days off.

Is that an easy enough option Papa Golf? My Mrs will want to work too but not sure of the legalities of that? Is she tied to your work permit?

Cheers

[Papa_Golf]

Is that an easy enough option Papa Golf? My Mrs will want to work too but not sure of the legalities of that? Is she tied to your work permit?

Cheers

Yes she is tied to my resident permit. In her case it made the hiring process simpler and faster.

I would not say is an easy task to get a job unless your wife is lucky enough to possess some very specific qualifications that might be needed locally. But legally speaking she can get a job.

[FlyingOW]

I'm considering making the move to the ME because I want to get a head start when I reach my 30s finance wise. I do have my life pretty wel set up here in Europe though. My colleagues claim that the Qatar bidding system is so good that you can easily spend 7 consecutive days at home a month.
Does anyone care to shed some light on this matter? Greatly appreciated!


I try to "commute" to UK (Capt T7). I spread out my annual leave in 5 blocks of 6 leave plus days off and take 1 block of 12 days (plus days off) for a family holiday.
But there are 9 flights per day to London (LHR&LGW) which makes it a lot easier. It cannot be easy to do so to a place with only 1 flight per day or if I was on a SH fleet. So you are covered for 6 months a year which suits me as can't do more than 90 in UK. The other 6 you are at the mercy of rostering giving you your requested 6 days off (only 4 are guaranteed) or using ULR rest patterns to sneak away for a few days.

Best of luck,

OW

[tomuchwork]

Damn dude, easy now. Why not just leave if you hate it so much? I'm not advocating them at all, still on the fence about joining. It's good money...

Did exactly that, over 10 years ago. QR was crap back then and I am sure they never changed(except raising the pay as otherwise they would be without drivers by now).

AB is still in charge which means more or less the same with MOL in RYR. Both pilot haters that just hire them because they need them to make more money. Nothing else.IF you have options, stay clear. Don't go there just because of the money, and for sure not for the commuting.

[NeverStopTrying]

I try to "commute" to UK (Capt T7). I spread out my annual leave in 5 blocks of 6 leave plus days off and take 1 block of 12 days (plus days off) for a family holiday.
But there are 9 flights per day to London (LHR&LGW) which makes it a lot easier. It cannot be easy to do so to a place with only 1 flight per day or if I was on a SH fleet. So you are covered for 6 months a year which suits me as can't do more than 90 in UK. The other 6 you are at the mercy of rostering giving you your requested 6 days off (only 4 are guaranteed) or using ULR rest patterns to sneak away for a few days.

Best of luck,

OW

So it can be done, that's great to hear. Do I understand your correctly that you are home every other month for 6 days+days off? So 6 months in the year (let say if you spend your family holiday time in the UK as well).
Please excuse ignorance, but what does "T7" stand for in this case?
Thanks for the info, I'm sure everyone appreciates it.

[NeverStopTrying]

Did exactly that, over 10 years ago. QR was crap back then and I am sure they never changed(except raising the pay as otherwise they would be without drivers by now).

AB is still in charge which means more or less the same with MOL in RYR. Both pilot haters that just hire them because they need them to make more money. Nothing else.IF you have options, stay clear. Don't go there just because of the money, and for sure not for the commuting.

Thanks for the info. Mind elaborating what you disliked the most during your time there?

[Newcomer2]

So it can be done, that's great to hear. Do I understand your correctly that you are home every other month for 6 days+days off? So 6 months in the year (let say if you spend your family holiday time in the UK as well).
Please excuse ignorance, but what does "T7" stand for in this case?
Thanks for the info, I'm sure everyone appreciates it.

😄😄😄
Captain T7, as in Triple 7, like 777, Boeing 777

[FlyingOW]

We get 42 days annual leave . You could split them into 7 blocks of 6 leave + 1 day off (guaranteed) and then request additional days off. You could potentially go home 7 months a year for at least a week. Possibly more. But again there is no guarantee of additional days off, historically though everyone gets a couple more on my fleet (777). Some close personal friends have done extremely well with days off requests when taking 2 blocks or more for the last 2 years.

All that being said, this is not a commuting contract.

OW

[NeverStopTrying]

We get 42 days annual leave . You could split them into 7 blocks of 6 leave + 1 day off (guaranteed) and then request additional days off. You could potentially go home 7 months a year for at least a week. Possibly more. But again there is no guarantee of additional days off, historically though everyone gets a couple more on my fleet (777). Some close personal friends have done extremely well with days off requests when taking 2 blocks or more for the last 2 years.

All that being said, this is not a commuting contract.

OW



Much appreciated