Qatar, or Etihad?
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: FL 340
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Quick update to all.
Asked a whole bunch of my mates that I haven't been in touch with for a very long time. Some are working in QR, some in EY, and some have mates that work in either.
After lurking around the forums, I have made up my mind on where i'm going to go.
My apologies on not clarifying what fleet I will be joining.
It will be the A330.
For the guys joining on the 320 fleet, EY is far worse than that of QR.
I consistently got this comment about EY, about how their 320 rosters are absolutely horrible.
The guys that are flying in QR don't plan on leaving their jobs, and love it.
They are now used to the "rules" and have no issues whatsoever.
Guys on EY, on the other hand, to my surprise, are the ones complaining.
The one's on the 320 specifically, and the seniors that are waiting for command.
Having put a lot of thought into it, and the fact that QR is expanding, will continue to expand, and can't be half as bad as people claim, I pick QR.
100's of Pilots work for QR, but I see the same names complaining over and over again.
For example "loc22550".
Track back his posts, and this man has been in Doha for such a long time.
He has been complaining about QR 5 years ago, the same way he does today, yet he does not leave the company.
Enough said.
This could be a mistake, it could be the best thing i've done for myself, either way, it's decided.
I will come back in a while and give feedback on what it is REALLY like.
Remember, for some of these people the grass is just always greener on the other side.
Good Day.
Asked a whole bunch of my mates that I haven't been in touch with for a very long time. Some are working in QR, some in EY, and some have mates that work in either.
After lurking around the forums, I have made up my mind on where i'm going to go.
My apologies on not clarifying what fleet I will be joining.
It will be the A330.
For the guys joining on the 320 fleet, EY is far worse than that of QR.
I consistently got this comment about EY, about how their 320 rosters are absolutely horrible.
The guys that are flying in QR don't plan on leaving their jobs, and love it.
They are now used to the "rules" and have no issues whatsoever.
Guys on EY, on the other hand, to my surprise, are the ones complaining.
The one's on the 320 specifically, and the seniors that are waiting for command.
Having put a lot of thought into it, and the fact that QR is expanding, will continue to expand, and can't be half as bad as people claim, I pick QR.
100's of Pilots work for QR, but I see the same names complaining over and over again.
For example "loc22550".
Track back his posts, and this man has been in Doha for such a long time.
He has been complaining about QR 5 years ago, the same way he does today, yet he does not leave the company.
Enough said.
This could be a mistake, it could be the best thing i've done for myself, either way, it's decided.
I will come back in a while and give feedback on what it is REALLY like.
Remember, for some of these people the grass is just always greener on the other side.
Good Day.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: brasil
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to 330 airbus
Congratulations and welcome in the team!
I could believe that one day you will feel like me:
I am not only enjoy flying with Qatar Airways, I am even proud being part
of it!
There is always room for improvements, thatīs for sure, but all in all it is a
great Airline!
All the best!
I could believe that one day you will feel like me:
I am not only enjoy flying with Qatar Airways, I am even proud being part
of it!
There is always room for improvements, thatīs for sure, but all in all it is a
great Airline!
All the best!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: doha
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Dude, whatever country you go to, whatever airline you join, its really what you make of it A Positive attitude, a willingness to adapt, and a cool disposition will bring you a long way. Good job, welcome and enjoy the ride...
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Everywhere
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Opinions are like A## holes...Everyones got one...So here's mine!...
Blah blah Blah "No place is perfect" yes we know that! Whether Qatar is a shinning beacon of an airline or a corruption infested charter airline pretending to be a 5 star wonder is really in the eye of the beholder and where you come from and what your coming from...Any decision to come to the gulf in any way better involve long hard thought and research should be done, as Im sure you have...But honestly positive or negative its really all about what you can accept and what you cant...
Recently I have seen many changes for the WORST in this airline as compared to very few positive...And I am actively looking to find whats better for me which every day I am more convinced is not QR...I have my reasons and my background defining what my ideals are of quality of life and fair treatment and sadly the Airline is disappointing in meeting my expectations and no change in the horizon...Some other guys and girls depending on their personal situations might agree with me in wanting to leave (As aprox. 170+ already have this year) and others well they might be more like GCC who apparently couldn't be happier...
Any way here's my A##... I mean "Opinion" for you to consider!
Blah blah Blah "No place is perfect" yes we know that! Whether Qatar is a shinning beacon of an airline or a corruption infested charter airline pretending to be a 5 star wonder is really in the eye of the beholder and where you come from and what your coming from...Any decision to come to the gulf in any way better involve long hard thought and research should be done, as Im sure you have...But honestly positive or negative its really all about what you can accept and what you cant...
Recently I have seen many changes for the WORST in this airline as compared to very few positive...And I am actively looking to find whats better for me which every day I am more convinced is not QR...I have my reasons and my background defining what my ideals are of quality of life and fair treatment and sadly the Airline is disappointing in meeting my expectations and no change in the horizon...Some other guys and girls depending on their personal situations might agree with me in wanting to leave (As aprox. 170+ already have this year) and others well they might be more like GCC who apparently couldn't be happier...
Any way here's my A##... I mean "Opinion" for you to consider!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Everywhere
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gcc just out of curiosity, wasn't there a Chief Pilot that came from EY to QR and left just 2 months later back to EY (leaving behind his 330 spot from QR to go back to EY 320) ?
Join Date: May 2008
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My 5 cents
Im currently working in QR..and this is my opinion from a western point of view, flying widebody, and single:
Pros of the airline:
However for any expat arriving here, whether he is Mr positive for all, of Mr im not happy with myself..hel agree this is not a place to be for long..the airline is generally nice to work for, but thats about it..most of the people get outta here as soon as they have 3 days off in a row... and change job as soon as something better arises. If you have family, and your wife is ok with the place, then life is much more bearable than if your single, thats for sure.
my 5 cents..
Pros of the airline:
- Good stable airline
- Pay on time
- shiny and well equipped jets
- good destinations
- progression will come one day, not too soon, but atleast it will come.
- some nice people to fly with
- rosters are getting better
- staff travel is not bad, agreements with other airlines, etc
- they will accept you in jump seat if flight is full
- generally safe, hardly no robberies, violence, etc
- thats about all i can think of
- Management
- Crappy diminishing rules
- your career is on the edge as u might get fired for any reason
- punishment is always on the talk, having to be always too carefull what you say, what you do, your uniform etc, etc etc
- airport sucks
- unfair simulator sessions, might make your progression fall far behind for just having one bad day
- actually anything you do wrong, from being too much sick, to getting a warning letter, to a bad simulator, might put you on the black list for progression.
- Talking about progression, did i mention there are as much direct entry captains as f.o?, the average number of upgrades are less than 30 a year for an airline that has over 1000 pilots- 5+ years for upgrade in wide body. still better than BA
- uniform sucks
- you pay your own crew bags, medical, and exit permits
- pay is still below expat standards in the middle east
- housing allowance below doha average rent
- no retirement fund
- if youre single..get ready to play hide and seek with the Cabin crew as they gotta be back home by 3:30 even on days off
- etc
- Too many to mention, but the ones that bother me the most:
- Nothing to do
- same 2 malls
- no women other than cabin crew
- same 3-4 bars/clubs, and they close at 2:30am
- No green, parks, trees or anything beautiful that might make your eyes shine a bit, ok sorry yea the corniche..thats about it.
- traffic sucks, dangerous roads, driving, etc
- no nice beaches
- only few interesting restaurants
- mentality of the locals amongst the most backward in the middle east
- as i said too many to mention..but il leave it here.
However for any expat arriving here, whether he is Mr positive for all, of Mr im not happy with myself..hel agree this is not a place to be for long..the airline is generally nice to work for, but thats about it..most of the people get outta here as soon as they have 3 days off in a row... and change job as soon as something better arises. If you have family, and your wife is ok with the place, then life is much more bearable than if your single, thats for sure.
my 5 cents..
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Flaps99 couldn't be more Spot On. I myself am in the identical situation, working for QR, Widebody, Western point of view, and single.
I would just like to emphasize what a HUGE impact on your personal life the cabin crew rules will have on you if you are single and join QR. It may seem like a minor issue prior to joining, however after a few years here the frustration level has me looking to Abu Dhabi. Because lets face it... 90% of the time you wind up dating who you work with, and your personal life is part of the QR package.
If you are certain that once in Doha all you are going to do is "play around" then great, you'll have no problems. But God forbid you find yourself in an adult relationship and want to act as adults. Not Allowed. Cabin Crew rules:
- 3:30am Curfew (Anytime in Doha, Off Days inclusive)
- No visitors after 10pm (Days Off, None if on Stdby or min rest)
- Must be in Accommodation 12hrs before pickup or Stdby (Often infringes on Off Days)
- Must Swipe their ID to enter Accommodation (One Entrance with Guard)
- Cameras on their Buildings (Often fired if seen breaking Curfew or Min Rest)
- Must be in the company 3 years in order to be able to "ask Permission" to marry from the Chief!!
I know from an outside point of view this issue will seem like "no big deal" as far as a career move. But join QR, and find yourself getting to bed solo at 4am after dropping off your significant other, only to have your alarm go off a few hours later for a ULR flight a few times, and see how much of a "big deal" it is.
If you are single, EY is BY FAR the better choice as far as quality of life...
I would just like to emphasize what a HUGE impact on your personal life the cabin crew rules will have on you if you are single and join QR. It may seem like a minor issue prior to joining, however after a few years here the frustration level has me looking to Abu Dhabi. Because lets face it... 90% of the time you wind up dating who you work with, and your personal life is part of the QR package.
If you are certain that once in Doha all you are going to do is "play around" then great, you'll have no problems. But God forbid you find yourself in an adult relationship and want to act as adults. Not Allowed. Cabin Crew rules:
- 3:30am Curfew (Anytime in Doha, Off Days inclusive)
- No visitors after 10pm (Days Off, None if on Stdby or min rest)
- Must be in Accommodation 12hrs before pickup or Stdby (Often infringes on Off Days)
- Must Swipe their ID to enter Accommodation (One Entrance with Guard)
- Cameras on their Buildings (Often fired if seen breaking Curfew or Min Rest)
- Must be in the company 3 years in order to be able to "ask Permission" to marry from the Chief!!
I know from an outside point of view this issue will seem like "no big deal" as far as a career move. But join QR, and find yourself getting to bed solo at 4am after dropping off your significant other, only to have your alarm go off a few hours later for a ULR flight a few times, and see how much of a "big deal" it is.
If you are single, EY is BY FAR the better choice as far as quality of life...
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Off the subject matter, Was flying into Bahrain last night and approach control asked Qatar to maintain 270kts. for spacing. The response was unable as they must first check with cabin attendants to see if they needed more time. They checked in with approach with total POB of 34. WTF! got to love this 5 star stuff. Any other part of the world the controller would have spun them.
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Guys be honnest, you been turned off by QR and act as if you were working there. You only comment and arrange some stories you heard from some mates working in QR. I got many friends there, I've been in Doha, I heard most of their experiences, but Pros outweights the cons by far for most of the pilots.
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... on a long run (10-15 years) QR has a much better plan to achieve and consequently QR represents a better option professionally wise! EK & EY look like the reached their top with no more to offer ... (but both still a valid choice!).
... on a short period (5-6 years) QR is still catching up ... but it looks like Qr is capable of learning from EK & EY mistakes ...
DOH is not really capable of offering what AOH or DXB or even BAH in terms of entertainment ... but lots are successfully commuting ... if it works for them ...
... on a short period (5-6 years) QR is still catching up ... but it looks like Qr is capable of learning from EK & EY mistakes ...
DOH is not really capable of offering what AOH or DXB or even BAH in terms of entertainment ... but lots are successfully commuting ... if it works for them ...
Last edited by Non Zero; 6th Oct 2011 at 02:04.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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330airbus,
Have read this thread with interest as I'm in a very similar situation. I hope you enjoy QR. I wonder if you or any one already in QR or EY has any info about getting young kids into school. I've heard the schools are good but all full with year plus waiting lists. All views appreciated.
Cheers,
b.i.g.
Have read this thread with interest as I'm in a very similar situation. I hope you enjoy QR. I wonder if you or any one already in QR or EY has any info about getting young kids into school. I've heard the schools are good but all full with year plus waiting lists. All views appreciated.
Cheers,
b.i.g.
