LIFE IN QATAR... Accurate Information Please...No NONSENSE will be appreciated.
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First off, thanks to all for the information, I would like to add that most problems mentioned here about Qatar also exist in the United States, I love living in the U.S(and have lived here my entire life) but fairly speaking, violence, traffic, etc...exist everywhere. From a career standpoint, compensation at Qatar Airways far exceeds that of any U.S major airline. The only ones that come close are UPS or FEDEX and they are still behind substantially. I currently fly as a first officer for one of the big three majors in the U.S and can fairly say that working conditions here are not all that rosy as well. Our CEO was paid $40 million U.S. dollars for his sh!tty performance while the employees of the our airline lost their pensions and took huge paycuts. Secondly, here at my current airline, the most junior Captain has been here for 14 Years!!! Thats a narrowbody captain. Our B777 captains earn less(after taxes) than a starting first officer at QR!!! As far as cost of living, I dont think Doha is more expensive than living in New Yok City or any other major U.S city. Anyway, once again, thanks for the info and I hope its the right move.
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Regarding asking for advice about expat jobs......
duh! The complaints aren't coming from the outside!
Of course people on the outside are still applying. (and asking what it's like).
I find it funny that these type of threads have a caveat usually to the tone of..."no nonsense, or no negativity".
When in reality what is being asked is...."please say only good things so I can justify my decision to go, I need reassurance".
Which isn't such a bad thing other than when this doesn't come about, the 'reality posters' get bagged.
On another note...
Think about that for a moment.
What do you think would be the outcome if pay was the same?
Pisspoor example for justification, pay NEEDS to be higher away from home.
You'll learn that one after your expat life begins.
Now my caveat: I have never lived in the middle east, nor know anything about Qatar, however being an expat, my comments are regarding threads relating to the question of should one become an expat or not and the responses therein.
But I have realized everyone complains about every airline in the middle east. You name it EK, GF, EY, QR according to everyone, all suck.. Yet everyone is still applying.. still taking jobs in the middle east all the time.
Of course people on the outside are still applying. (and asking what it's like).
I find it funny that these type of threads have a caveat usually to the tone of..."no nonsense, or no negativity".
When in reality what is being asked is...."please say only good things so I can justify my decision to go, I need reassurance".
Which isn't such a bad thing other than when this doesn't come about, the 'reality posters' get bagged.
On another note...
Our B777 captains earn less(after taxes) than a starting first officer at QR
What do you think would be the outcome if pay was the same?
Pisspoor example for justification, pay NEEDS to be higher away from home.
You'll learn that one after your expat life begins.
Now my caveat: I have never lived in the middle east, nor know anything about Qatar, however being an expat, my comments are regarding threads relating to the question of should one become an expat or not and the responses therein.
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Not Qatar-specific...but you need to look at how many days your 777 capt works to earn his less money...betcha it's a lot less. Looking through the AA portal, your 777 capts are making much more than a qr (or anyother airline) over here, when adjusted for "time at work" figures lie...get the whole picture straight
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I didn't realise until NYC told me, that AA 777 captains earn less than the captains here do! You mean less than $7,700 per month because that's what you get here? Then you add the flight pay. ONLY, after you check out and not while you are on vacation. So, at $33 an hour at 70 hours per month (10.5 months a year) that equals about 24,300 plus 92,400. Total per annum of around 117,000.
With no pension plan and most importantly, no sick leave to speak of. Get sick here and after 2 weeks you're on half your basic salary and after 4 you're on nothing for a bit before they decide whether to continue with your employment.
And, OK, gas is cheap. But this is a place where a bag of torn lettuce leaves is 10 bucks American.
On the positive side, the airline has a bunch of nice people working for it and the equipment is very shiny. Destinations are good and there's a reasonable chance if you shine in the sim, you'll get the left seat after 4 years.
Qatar is OK. But if you're used to doing something on your days off, forget it. And the roads, well....
Don't come here for the money.
With no pension plan and most importantly, no sick leave to speak of. Get sick here and after 2 weeks you're on half your basic salary and after 4 you're on nothing for a bit before they decide whether to continue with your employment.
And, OK, gas is cheap. But this is a place where a bag of torn lettuce leaves is 10 bucks American.
On the positive side, the airline has a bunch of nice people working for it and the equipment is very shiny. Destinations are good and there's a reasonable chance if you shine in the sim, you'll get the left seat after 4 years.
Qatar is OK. But if you're used to doing something on your days off, forget it. And the roads, well....
Don't come here for the money.
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Done Doha - place is a dump, drivers are totally mad, boring as hell and even the Ramada gets boring after a while (wink wink)
Give me Dubai anytime, still like living in a car park in the middle of a building site, drivers just as mad but far more wink,wink establishments
Give me Dubai anytime, still like living in a car park in the middle of a building site, drivers just as mad but far more wink,wink establishments
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I am not a QR pilot but a Brit working for a US company here in Qatar now for over 6 years.
THE GOOD
Probably cheaper than the UAE in most respects. However, accommodation becoming pricey.
Even if traffic can be a problem you are not too far from anywhere. Better than UAE.
Most ‘things’ available. Shopping (so Mrs Lars tells me) is good. Rather more European perhaps the US style.
Excellent golf course
Good climate except for Jul/Aug
Safety not really an issue. Petty crime rates low.
Good liberties compared with, say, KSA
THE BAD
Doha is not the most exciting place in the World and – for a Westerner – is a bit of a cultural desert.
The standard of behaviour on the roads is abysmal. Qatar has the highest death rate per capita on the roads in the World. Recent installation of speed traps all over the place, along with swinging fines, may improve this but…..
THE UGLY
You will see many of the poorer expat communities (Nepalese, Filipino etc) ruthlessly exploited by local employers.
THE GOOD
Probably cheaper than the UAE in most respects. However, accommodation becoming pricey.
Even if traffic can be a problem you are not too far from anywhere. Better than UAE.
Most ‘things’ available. Shopping (so Mrs Lars tells me) is good. Rather more European perhaps the US style.
Excellent golf course
Good climate except for Jul/Aug
Safety not really an issue. Petty crime rates low.
Good liberties compared with, say, KSA
THE BAD
Doha is not the most exciting place in the World and – for a Westerner – is a bit of a cultural desert.
The standard of behaviour on the roads is abysmal. Qatar has the highest death rate per capita on the roads in the World. Recent installation of speed traps all over the place, along with swinging fines, may improve this but…..
THE UGLY
You will see many of the poorer expat communities (Nepalese, Filipino etc) ruthlessly exploited by local employers.
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At least you guys from US you are the most lucky people here, due to the fact that qatari riyal is link to the U$, you are not loosing money every week like us as the U$ (and so the qatari riyal) is sinking every week more deeply and more deeply VS other major currencies
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USA pilots
USA pilots are welcome to QR its just Doha is place where avrige American women cant enjoj and if you want her to have good time you have to put youre hand deep in pocket and in this case you have same money like back in USA !
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nyc pilot, are you nuts man? Or did you skip all of your history lessons at school...? Religions are the main sources (if not the real only one source) of conflicts in this world!
Besides that: do your thing, come to Doha and try it out. You don't need any positive tickling on pprune for that decision!
Like this you won't regret it later. But be aware of one thing: stay out of the sun and away from the heat! Have a boring uneventful normal life without problems, cause if one day you have a problem or you open your mouth too much... you'll get burned or even fired.
Cause at the end of the day you're not one of them, so your expected to shut up and smile.
However, if you share the same believe like the local folks you'll have a little bonus ...if you're lucky. Nothing to do with religion? Q.E.D.
Besides that: do your thing, come to Doha and try it out. You don't need any positive tickling on pprune for that decision!
Like this you won't regret it later. But be aware of one thing: stay out of the sun and away from the heat! Have a boring uneventful normal life without problems, cause if one day you have a problem or you open your mouth too much... you'll get burned or even fired.
Cause at the end of the day you're not one of them, so your expected to shut up and smile.
However, if you share the same believe like the local folks you'll have a little bonus ...if you're lucky. Nothing to do with religion? Q.E.D.
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However, if you share the same believe like the local folks you'll have a little bonus ...if you're lucky. Nothing to do with religion? Q.E.D.
In other words if you like "he is a nice guy but bloody useless..." You will be in a perfect environment. The main criteria over here seems to be BE NICE everything else doesn't matter at all. Is that why we see so many guys kissing in the dispatch? So just keep on smiling and be eager to kiss and you will be fine. Flying qualities of yours don't matter cause its always someone else's fault. Just get used to that.
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I think you are a perfect candidate for long term employment with The Goat NYC Pilot. Good luck with the interview. To be sure of a slot, remember to kiss and take dates.
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Done Doha - place is a dump, drivers are totally mad, boring as hell and even the Ramada gets boring after a while (
The first time I was there, it reminded my of JED...twenty years previously
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However, if you share the same believe like the local folks you'll have a little bonus ...if you're lucky.
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Qatar
Well NYC PILOT, All I can say is come and see it for yourself.
You would be shocked in what you see.
Then you will know the truth. If you are from the US, you are in for a big surprise and thats a promise.
As you know alchohol is not freely available. However the way the locals drive, it feels its all over. Or may be a cup of coffee makes them drive all over except the road. Road accidents are normal almost every day. Innocent people killed.
No regard for human life.
New rules and fines have been enforced, if you had seen the paper write up of all the wrong doings, I bet you gonna hit the ceiling.
So good luck when your driving from the airport to your accomodation.
You would be shocked in what you see.
Then you will know the truth. If you are from the US, you are in for a big surprise and thats a promise.
As you know alchohol is not freely available. However the way the locals drive, it feels its all over. Or may be a cup of coffee makes them drive all over except the road. Road accidents are normal almost every day. Innocent people killed.
No regard for human life.
New rules and fines have been enforced, if you had seen the paper write up of all the wrong doings, I bet you gonna hit the ceiling.
So good luck when your driving from the airport to your accomodation.
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But NYC..the good news if your are a non smoker, is that Qatar has implement a non smoking rule in all public place a few years ago...
.the bad news..is that as usual here nobody respect it and NOBODY cares even the staff of those outlets....!
result: you can barely enjoy your coffee in your favorite coffe shop without being intoxicated..
The only rule that has to be respected here is islam.
Cheers.
.the bad news..is that as usual here nobody respect it and NOBODY cares even the staff of those outlets....!result: you can barely enjoy your coffee in your favorite coffe shop without being intoxicated.. The only rule that has to be respected here is islam.
Cheers.
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With all the talk of people being fired who is taking their place? I have read here talk about the new management, are they going to make a difference or just plug a sinking ship.
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Qatar Life
Hi nyc Pilot;
I am not a pilot, but a South African ATC that has lived and worked here for just over five years.
The bottom line is attitude, nothing more. For the first six months or so that I was here you could more or less say that I walked around in a foul mood. A little bit of introspection brought me around, that being, why am I here in the first place? Staying focussed on that issue alone essentially made me realise that everything else was my interpretation of events bench marked against my entire life in S.A.,…..and that obviously would lead to certain frustration and levels of disillusionment.
In reply to some of the more negative comments in his thread,….my wife has been propositioned twice in the malls here by Qatari men, ….the effect on our life here?...none what-so-ever….why……..having been fortunate to have travelled quite a bit,…..not only my wife, but I have been propositioned in Paris, believe it or not, both by men!!??....the effect on my life?.....none. It happens.
Driving around Manhattan and LA I have had far worse driving experiences than I have had in Qatar, the difference in Manhattan and LA is there was the very strong possibility of the other fellow hauling out a 45 and waving it me,…..pretty similar to what happens to this day in my country.
Yes, there are certain arrogant elements here in Qatar, but have you ever quite innocently tried to get someone to explain something to you or give you directions in English in Paris??? I still have indentations on my forehead from saliva missiles after asking one rather over-patriotic French dame the location of the Virgin Megastore……
There are many levels of frustration, however, view them on a broader scale and the chances are you will see minimal differences in comparison.
I have my family with me in Qatar, and can honestly say, staying focussed on the reason why I am here makes your life very simple indeed. Life in Qatar is not unbelievably great, similarly it is not horrifically traumatic and gut wrenchingly uncomfortable,…..it is,…well,…just life. Quite a bit to do, when bored, do it again,….if not,…..find something,….or just do nothing. Have lived and worked in places such as DRC, Mali, Ivory Coast, USA, France, Cape Verde Islands……..Qatar measures up pretty well, not perfect, but then what country is?
I am not a pilot, but a South African ATC that has lived and worked here for just over five years.
The bottom line is attitude, nothing more. For the first six months or so that I was here you could more or less say that I walked around in a foul mood. A little bit of introspection brought me around, that being, why am I here in the first place? Staying focussed on that issue alone essentially made me realise that everything else was my interpretation of events bench marked against my entire life in S.A.,…..and that obviously would lead to certain frustration and levels of disillusionment.
In reply to some of the more negative comments in his thread,….my wife has been propositioned twice in the malls here by Qatari men, ….the effect on our life here?...none what-so-ever….why……..having been fortunate to have travelled quite a bit,…..not only my wife, but I have been propositioned in Paris, believe it or not, both by men!!??....the effect on my life?.....none. It happens.
Driving around Manhattan and LA I have had far worse driving experiences than I have had in Qatar, the difference in Manhattan and LA is there was the very strong possibility of the other fellow hauling out a 45 and waving it me,…..pretty similar to what happens to this day in my country.
Yes, there are certain arrogant elements here in Qatar, but have you ever quite innocently tried to get someone to explain something to you or give you directions in English in Paris??? I still have indentations on my forehead from saliva missiles after asking one rather over-patriotic French dame the location of the Virgin Megastore……
There are many levels of frustration, however, view them on a broader scale and the chances are you will see minimal differences in comparison.
I have my family with me in Qatar, and can honestly say, staying focussed on the reason why I am here makes your life very simple indeed. Life in Qatar is not unbelievably great, similarly it is not horrifically traumatic and gut wrenchingly uncomfortable,…..it is,…well,…just life. Quite a bit to do, when bored, do it again,….if not,…..find something,….or just do nothing. Have lived and worked in places such as DRC, Mali, Ivory Coast, USA, France, Cape Verde Islands……..Qatar measures up pretty well, not perfect, but then what country is?
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Great post Cuito!
And you said it so right. Stay focused on the reason why you are here/there (in Doha, that is), the reason why you left home. Though since you obviously manage to do that you certainly don't work for Qatar Airways.
Cause in Qatar Airways the reason for being with this airline can vanish within seconds...or more precisely just after one of the frequent mood swings of the allmighty "small man with dishdash, who shall not be named on this forum cause he's paying lawyers big bucks to keep this forum clear of his name", in short AAB!
And that's the big issue down here!
That's why all the guys who came from countries where the quality of living is relatively low (e.g. Sudan, Algeria, Libya, South Africa etc.) don't mind to be treated like dirt in Qatar Airways, cause they don't have any problem to focus on the reason why they are in Doha (mostly to have their kids grow up in a safer environment). For them AAB is just a side effect but living in Doha still somehow better than living back home.
As for people originating from a country with standard to high quality of living: be sure that whatever you're focused on, AAB might feel like spoiling it all, maybe some years down the road, just a couple of days before you think: Yes, this upgrade is what I came here for....
Good luck!
And you said it so right. Stay focused on the reason why you are here/there (in Doha, that is), the reason why you left home. Though since you obviously manage to do that you certainly don't work for Qatar Airways.
Cause in Qatar Airways the reason for being with this airline can vanish within seconds...or more precisely just after one of the frequent mood swings of the allmighty "small man with dishdash, who shall not be named on this forum cause he's paying lawyers big bucks to keep this forum clear of his name", in short AAB!
And that's the big issue down here!
That's why all the guys who came from countries where the quality of living is relatively low (e.g. Sudan, Algeria, Libya, South Africa etc.) don't mind to be treated like dirt in Qatar Airways, cause they don't have any problem to focus on the reason why they are in Doha (mostly to have their kids grow up in a safer environment). For them AAB is just a side effect but living in Doha still somehow better than living back home.
As for people originating from a country with standard to high quality of living: be sure that whatever you're focused on, AAB might feel like spoiling it all, maybe some years down the road, just a couple of days before you think: Yes, this upgrade is what I came here for....
Good luck!
Last edited by a330flyer; 28th Oct 2007 at 11:17. Reason: spelling