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Qatar (Doha) ATC for new Airport

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Qatar (Doha) ATC for new Airport

Old 11th Mar 2013, 18:20
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Qatar (Doha) ATC for new Airport

Hi guyz. With Qatar's new airport almost ready for action, what is the plan there. Would appreciate if insiders can share their ideas.

- Is Serco taking the contract???
- How many ATC's do they need?
- How many ATC's is starting within the nex few months?
- Why is there no big fuss about Doha being the nex busiest airport in Middle East?
- If there's a shortage,Why isn't the world applying there all at the same time?
- Who gonna work old airport and who's gonna work at new airport.
- What is current staff situation?
- What is roster cycle like at the moment and will it change?
- How much truth is in the EXIT VISA story?
- Cos why should you get permission to take a break away from Home/Work.
- If EXIT VISA is true, are they going to change it anytime soon for ATC staff?
- What package is being offerred to newcomers?
- Do you see Doha work complexity on Approach getting easier once new airport open or will situation remain the same.
- What is city life like, for singles and families?
- Last, hows the traffic to airport from the Villa neighbourhoods.

Just curious about what lays ahead at Doha, so everyone who is interested in Middle East can maybe choose Doha as an alternative to Dubai.
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Old 11th Mar 2013, 19:13
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I dont know anything about who is going to run things but the exit visa was definately true a few years ago. My family lived there and my brother had some real trouble getting out from a teaching job. When he eventually got out he just never went back. Things may have changed but that was 5 or 6 years ago so not the too distant past.
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Old 12th Mar 2013, 16:58
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Very well explained Shue.

In UAE, talks go around that Serco is presently trying to get people for Doha.
If thats the case, then I suppose things will surely get better for you guys. Once all the bodies validate, who knows, maybe they can consider a MMAANNSOOO like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 4 Full days off is a big relief for most of the guys in UAE, some even go on Diving breaks, quick Nile river cruise, Sham al Sheihk, abroad, just to recharge before the next cycle.

Hope all goes well and that Doha turns out to be the next big attraction for ATC's from all over.

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Old 17th Mar 2013, 12:32
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Question Doha ATC

Hi Radar Maestro,To answer a few of your q's........
1. Nobody knows but rumours are around.?!
2. Always need staff.......have never had enough, and prob never will......8hr shifts, working 3 holds ,sequencing/ vectoring, deps, and overflights thrown in for good measure......on your own at times....takes it toll!
3. 1 as far as we are aware for radar. Making a total of 15 hopefully 3 on each watch, working MANSO........1 on leave, leaves 2 at any time( assuming no sickness.!?) to work at times the busiest app/area unit in the gulf( quantified by the fact that its all done by app......no area guys to help out sequence/hold and space.)
4. Unlikely to change as the idea of sleep and whole 3 days off.....seems to be far to much.
5. Exit visa required for any time out of the country..........v v unlikely to change.
6.City life is ok.......very little to do thou..!
7. Package can be PM'd but in short.......long hrs, short staff, no priv.med, no loss of licence, minimal school fees......enough to maybe cover 1 child in primary!, accom supplied.
8. Unlikely to get less complex till/if staffing improves.....and more likely to be more complex as traffic will increase but staff / airspace will remain the same!
And lastly.......traffic is horrendous ........looking at between 45mins to an hr each way on a week day!
Not sure why there are not more people applying.......?!!! I'll let you make up your own mind on that one......hope this helps!
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 21:29
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Robor, I appreciate your and Shue's posts about life and work in Doha. Hopefully Serco will improve your situations, the Approach team certainly has more than their share of work to deal with and the Tower surely is quite busy with their own set of issues.

My uncle and aunt spent 20 years in Saudi Arabia from 1968 to 1988; far less developed times and location in terms of technology and social media to keep in touch with families, but they managed, they all did, in fact I think they thrived with lifelong friendships. They also came out of there with financial stability for the rest of their lives.
Have times changed that much that people don't visit friends anymore? Have all the X-box, PS3, Facebook and the like driven people further apart than before? Instead of spending time with each other, it seems that families live in an electronic bubble these days.

I have lived in cities with populations from 25,000 to over 3,000,000. The smallest ones offered closer community feel and even though they had very little man-made attractions or malls, their natural locations gave us more things to do and places to hike to than a hundred Disneylands could.
I guess the bottom line is that it is not that bad, after all, you folks didn't leave two weeks after arrival, the salary sets up your family's security when all is done.

I would not mind going there at all, the long term advantages far outweigh the short term annoyances, in my opinion.

Last edited by LoserGill; 18th Mar 2013 at 21:30.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 19:21
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No, no intel. Just hoping the best for you folks, based on our communication a month ago where you expressed that they would be welcome.

I'm sure everyone was "hot" there! My uncle has told me how he burned his hand more than once on the car door handle.
From the opposite end here, I have experienced -48C and have made the mistake of holding the car key in my mouth where they promptly froze to my lips. Painful!!!!!

Last edited by LoserGill; 19th Mar 2013 at 19:24.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 19:42
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The package at Doha is an everevolving dynamic, as is Qatar itself. Frustrations exist, but I dare say, thatwill be experienced by anyone under the title expat in any part of the world.

The package in Doha is alwaysimproving and is now competitive and will continue to improve. SERCO islong-standing in its history of service delivery and naturally people willdefault to them as a benchmark…absolutely nothing wrong with that…perfectlynormal. However, before making any move to Qatar ensure you are well informedon exactly what you are committing to.

This may sound like I am statingthe obvious…however I have sooo many times over the years witnessed adults,carried by the utopia of getting a Job Offer, sign on the proverbial dottedline… arrive happy and breathless in the country and as soon as the honeymoonof arriving in a new country loses its veneer…launch into diatribe afterdiatribe about how awful the working conditions are, how bad the salary is, howbad the accommodation is, how awful the shifts are … ad-infinitum… ALL…withoutexception, information that was front and center for them to garner in order tobase a decision on.

Simply put, and this I wouldimagine is generic in its application, there are 3 main characteristics youshould have before even thinking of coming to the Middle East…let alone Qatar;

1) Maturity…obviousI know, but oooh boy does this one manifest itself as controversial on aregular basis.

2) Adaptability.Simply stated…a good attitude.

3) SelfDiscipline.

Skill attestation is part of theapplication process.

No working environment in theworld is perfect. Subjectivity will never allow that to happen…if in doubt;have a chat to the likes of Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Richard Branson etc, etc…

As a controller in Doha you willbe challenged on many levels, of that I can assure you. It is a country in astate of self discovery and world recognition as it takes its place on theeconomical stage as a key player and policy maker.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 20:25
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Good to hear from you again Mr S, your points are very well stated.

Some things one cannot know in advance, specifically housing. This may be subjective as comfort levels vary with people. The expectation should be comfortable, not palaces with servants nor hovels with rats.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 22:04
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Indeed LoserGill - goes without saying.

The current status quo of staff, experiencing the rapid growth of the national carrier, as well as the opening and deregulation of previously circumvented markets, daily face quite a big-ask...and to date have not been found wanting.

As in any workplace, there is a broad gambit of personalities and cultures - and based on the task they face every time they come on shift is testimony to their abilities.

The somewhat loose attention to objectivity in representing the work environment and associated remuneration is, among certain members...rather questionable and does a disservice to those that recognize the transition and continuous improvement (admittedly at times slow)...but improvement none-the-less.
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Old 20th Mar 2013, 03:57
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Robor66, good feedback on Radarmaestro's questions.

1. When is the Big shift to the new Airport taking place? (Opening date for new Airport)
2. Will it be dual RWY operation or just one?
3. If just single RWY OPS, when will Dual RWY OPS be implemented?
4. Just for curiosity...., the current ATCO's, How many years service do you guys already have at Doha? (If longer than 5 years, then i recon that things cant be that unpleasant in Qatar, I might be wrong)
6. With SERCO as a possible ANS provider, my guess is that Doha will fill up quickly and the current work situation might just disappear eventually.
7. If SERCO take over, are you all shifting over to SERCO or will you have a choice to remain with the QCAA.
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Old 20th Mar 2013, 07:05
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Hi Cleard4tkof,Thanks......and to answer briefly,
Scheduled to open on the 1st ( softly) with cargo flights and a few others.
Single rwy operation, with a view to full transition by the end of the year.
Most of the expats here have less than 3 years time and the stalwarts ( no offence guys!) anywhere btwn 5 and 15yrs.
It's not for everybody.......and you will always get the ones who love it, and the ones who put up with it!
We have no idea whether Serco will be involved......but I dare say if they are, then it will only be in a recruitment capacity and you will still be employed by the QCAA.
I would like to add though that although things are FAR from perfect ..... as Cuitocuanavale put it, things have improved albeit v slowly......and with hopefully the addition of more staff it will get better.
There are far worse places to work.....believe me I've been there....!
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Old 23rd Mar 2013, 13:22
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Help Please?

Hi

does anybody out there have any contact details to send my C.V details to ? I have 7 years tower and Approach experience , although APP and not APS . I am an OJTI and Met qualified and have a years international experience .

My family and I would love to work in Doha and just wondered if anybody could offer any help . I seem to get knocked back with Serco and GAL seem to just employ each others mates in my experience .

thanks
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Old 28th Mar 2013, 10:16
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Hi,

By any chance are they looking for a TWR ADI, (30 years experience ex APP,APS), OJTI, UCE...? Where do I send my CV?

Thanks all,
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Old 28th Mar 2013, 10:25
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Check your PM
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Old 31st Mar 2013, 13:03
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Contact for Doha ATC

Would be interested in the contact details as well.

Where do I send my CV for a possible job in Doha.

Over 20 years of experience, TWR ADV/ADI, RADAR APS, OJTI, EXAMINER, Supervisor, TRM facilitator, HF instructor.

Thanks
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Old 13th Apr 2013, 19:41
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Contact for DOHA

Hi, has anyone had any sucess for finding contact details for recruitment in Doha?

Ive got 11 years ATC experience. 17 years total airport experience.
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Old 17th Apr 2013, 13:41
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"Hopefully Serco will improve your situations,"

Yeah right.........and you live on what planet?
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Old 19th Apr 2013, 15:37
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Hello,

After 25 years with the FAA, I'm ready for a new adventure.

Can anyone provide contact info for Doha ATC?

Thanks!
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Old 7th Jun 2013, 13:09
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The wait continues...

Its over two months now since the white elephant, that is NDIA, was last meant to open on April Fool's Day... does anyone else have any more news/rumours?
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Old 6th Jul 2013, 08:41
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ATC Contact

Hi,

Can anyone working in Doha presently (and not on summer break ) please send me a pm?

Thanks
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