QR A320 Captain's roster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Asia
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
QR do not give priority to fatigue related safety issues.
It is an issue that is completely and thoroughly brushed under the carpet. Our Flight Safety Department do their best within their jurisdiction, which is related to Stabilized Approaches, long landings etc. The usual things, at which they are quite good, but they have no say on rostering.
You will get called into the Safety office if you are Vapp+15 at 1000ft AGL, but the fact that you have just done three sectors after reporting at midnight Doha time (yes, it happens) is completely ignored because you were legal within 5 mins.
Someone asked about the A330 and B777. The flying time calculation for B777 has recently been changed (because of crew shortage...), so from having done max 100hrs a month, they are now doing 130 (no joke) since only time spent in the seat counts towards the flying time total. They do however get paid for the full amount.
It is an issue that is completely and thoroughly brushed under the carpet. Our Flight Safety Department do their best within their jurisdiction, which is related to Stabilized Approaches, long landings etc. The usual things, at which they are quite good, but they have no say on rostering.
You will get called into the Safety office if you are Vapp+15 at 1000ft AGL, but the fact that you have just done three sectors after reporting at midnight Doha time (yes, it happens) is completely ignored because you were legal within 5 mins.
Someone asked about the A330 and B777. The flying time calculation for B777 has recently been changed (because of crew shortage...), so from having done max 100hrs a month, they are now doing 130 (no joke) since only time spent in the seat counts towards the flying time total. They do however get paid for the full amount.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
130 hours of flight time per month in the 777? 
How do they keep any pilots who have paid off their training bond? Why would they risk losing experienced 777 pilots (Capt and FOs) - especially if EK start recruiting from QR in the future to staff their growing fleets...
How do they keep any pilots who have paid off their training bond? Why would they risk losing experienced 777 pilots (Capt and FOs) - especially if EK start recruiting from QR in the future to staff their growing fleets...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vietnam
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Che, it sounds like the safety department has their priorities right? Plus 15 at 1000ft is just sooooo much more dangerous than work-to-death rosters and the associated fatigue.
Management obviously has the office well under control. Silly me, I thought safety was supposed to be independent and their jurisdiction to include fatigue matters?
Do we still have those new-joiner days? I'd like to hear what the story on fatigue is and what the safety office is doing about it now?
Management obviously has the office well under control. Silly me, I thought safety was supposed to be independent and their jurisdiction to include fatigue matters?
Do we still have those new-joiner days? I'd like to hear what the story on fatigue is and what the safety office is doing about it now?
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Not UK
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In similar vein?
A room full of new -joiners, who have endured the months and months of waiting, as demonstrated in these page, is an ideal venue.
This is a perfect oppoprtunity to raise and discuss such a controversial subject.
The participants will bring a fresh perspective. The QR safety dept and management will undoubtedly welcome this contribution from their newest, so far untrained, PROBATIONERS,.
No doubt, once they have straightened this business out, they will move onto the luxury accommodation that they will be providing for these people.
YUP! That would really work.
This is a perfect oppoprtunity to raise and discuss such a controversial subject.
The participants will bring a fresh perspective. The QR safety dept and management will undoubtedly welcome this contribution from their newest, so far untrained, PROBATIONERS,.
No doubt, once they have straightened this business out, they will move onto the luxury accommodation that they will be providing for these people.
YUP! That would really work.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Asia
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here is another actual roster.
Again, all times are based on DOHA which is where your body clock will be.
Day 1. off
Day 2. report 0630, Gulf turn-around, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 3. report 0035, one sector for layover in India, land at 0615.
Day 4. wake-up-call 0400, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 5. report 0035, one sector for layover in India, land at 0615.
Day 6. wake-up-call 0400, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 7. report 0040 for regional turn-around, land DOH 0610.
Day 8. off
Day 9. report 1515 for three-sectors, Gulf turn-around, followed by layover India.
Day 10. land at outstation 0130 (layover), wake-up-call 2330.
Day 11. land DOH 0620. followed by 17hrs 25min rest.
Day 12. report 0015, regional turn-around, land DOH 0620.
Day 13. report 1115, regional turn-around, land DOH1940.
Day 14. off
Day 15. off
They actually gave me duty on my day off on day 14 (without asking), but I reported sick for that day.
You will get a pattern like this almost every month.
Again, all times are based on DOHA which is where your body clock will be.
Day 1. off
Day 2. report 0630, Gulf turn-around, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 3. report 0035, one sector for layover in India, land at 0615.
Day 4. wake-up-call 0400, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 5. report 0035, one sector for layover in India, land at 0615.
Day 6. wake-up-call 0400, land DOH 1130, followed by min-rest.
Day 7. report 0040 for regional turn-around, land DOH 0610.
Day 8. off
Day 9. report 1515 for three-sectors, Gulf turn-around, followed by layover India.
Day 10. land at outstation 0130 (layover), wake-up-call 2330.
Day 11. land DOH 0620. followed by 17hrs 25min rest.
Day 12. report 0015, regional turn-around, land DOH 0620.
Day 13. report 1115, regional turn-around, land DOH1940.
Day 14. off
Day 15. off
They actually gave me duty on my day off on day 14 (without asking), but I reported sick for that day.
You will get a pattern like this almost every month.
Thanks for posting those. These rosters speak for themselves.
To me they basically say, stay well clear.
Just I also learned that widebody FO may upgrade on widebody aircraft, which lessens the probability of anyone greeting a fleet transfer off A320.
To me they basically say, stay well clear.
Just I also learned that widebody FO may upgrade on widebody aircraft, which lessens the probability of anyone greeting a fleet transfer off A320.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A few miles from the airport
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like a hardcore roster on the A320. Are you just unlucky with your bids or is this the reality of flying for QR on the narrowbody fleet? A month like this, OK, but if this is the norm it requires a very disciplined lifestyle and a VERY understanding wife.
Are you required to get to the airport yourself, or will QR schedule a crew pickup at your home?
Are you required to get to the airport yourself, or will QR schedule a crew pickup at your home?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Che,
Thanks for the new roster - very interesting. I guess if you are an Indian pilot (from ailing Kingfisher or others like Indigo), flying the A320 for QR wouldn't be too bad because you would actually spend a lot of time in your home country... Although you would be exhausted in your home country. 
I am betting that many A320 pilots are praying that 787 slots open up as the new birds arrive...
Thanks for the new roster - very interesting.
I guess if you are an Indian pilot (from ailing Kingfisher or others like Indigo), flying the A320 for QR wouldn't be too bad because you would actually spend a lot of time in your home country... Although you would be exhausted in your home country. I am betting that many A320 pilots are praying that 787 slots open up as the new birds arrive...
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cargo roster?
Am I the only one who thinks these rosters look more like a freight operation? Sleep during the day and fly at night?
Are these really typical schedules, or is this what the bottom 10% of A320 pilots have to endure?
Are these really typical schedules, or is this what the bottom 10% of A320 pilots have to endure?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Asia
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gents, I forgot to mention that I had leave after this pattern, hence only the 15 days. I would say that this is as bad as it gets, certainly before leave they will maximize your flying.
There are months that are quite ok, you will always have a certain amount of night flying, since that is what the QR schedule is like. Normally they will roster you for a max of three nights in a row. But where do you draw the line? Waking up at 0400 is night for me, but doesn't count as such since the flight is daytime.
The bidding system works to a certain degree, so your roster will be a combination of nights and fulfilled bids. The layovers are usually quite good and 24h.
If you bid for early report time, you will do early flights, but often 4-sectors around the Gulf. Most guys don't like these patterns since you work hard but the flying pay is low. It also gets incredibly hot on board in the summer time. But it's your choice.
There are months that are quite ok, you will always have a certain amount of night flying, since that is what the QR schedule is like. Normally they will roster you for a max of three nights in a row. But where do you draw the line? Waking up at 0400 is night for me, but doesn't count as such since the flight is daytime.
The bidding system works to a certain degree, so your roster will be a combination of nights and fulfilled bids. The layovers are usually quite good and 24h.
If you bid for early report time, you will do early flights, but often 4-sectors around the Gulf. Most guys don't like these patterns since you work hard but the flying pay is low. It also gets incredibly hot on board in the summer time. But it's your choice.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Skyland
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you telling us that those are rosters of a guy who was leaving?? So it is not a normal one, isnīt it??
And just for info, every company, it doesnīt matter wherever it is, as soon as you give your notice period, they will squeeze you!! It hapenned to me several times...
Anyway, thanks for the info
And just for info, every company, it doesnīt matter wherever it is, as soon as you give your notice period, they will squeeze you!! It hapenned to me several times...
Anyway, thanks for the info
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: ecclesia
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
