Qatar Airways - The 5 star JOKE!!!

[dark magic]

Please pilots and cabin crew - be warned - do not join Qatar Airways!
Qatar Airways is a 5 star joke from internal - they do not give what they say they will and you will spend your entire life unhappy and not get what you expect.
Lets put everything down how it is - as a pilot you will get 2 weeks in company accommodation and then you are expected to move out. Trust me things are expensive here! Try get a lease in a place without a residence permit... good luck..... it takes money!! Yes you can get it but all the money that you bring with you (yes ridiculous - you need to bring money to this place to even make money lol) will go to secure a lease.
Then you suffer while you are not able to get a car, furniture and all the basic needs like internet phone etc etc.
Right now you are not even able to get a loan for a car since they have this ridiculous rule that you can only bond half your salary, after all deductions. Wel this is where it gets interesting - you will have no money and therefore do not qualify for a loan!
Oh how did I forget to mention - Qatar Airways do not give a damn about it as they do not give a interest free loan like Emirates does (what I think is the pilots 5 star airline)
Also you will be told that they refund the cargo expenses well good luck getting that money back not to mention any money that you pay out for!
You will spend every single one of your off days chasing people in the office - just to be pushed from pillar to post!
Speaking of that - everyting you need in Qatar Airways is about pushing you from one tower to the next building etc.
You even battle to get a alcohol license - yes even that is under control in this control freak of a country!

I will not even get started on flight attendants - guys and girls - do not take it!!! You have NO life! You have to be in Doha 12 hours before any pick up - you share accomadation with a bunch of slave type labour people working here - as they can only hire slaves for this job. If you come for an interview please ask them - how many western flight attendants do you have?!?! They will lie to you as there are none!!!lol
A western person will not take this! Do you want to hear the biggest control freak joke - if you want to get married you have to ask permission from the boss lol - is he now your dad?!?!

Basically to sum it up - if you want to have a life and enjoy your time in an airline go to emirates or etihad!! You will never be happy here!!
Please guys share your thoughts so that more people do not get fooled and suck with these ridiculous bonds (loans) so you can not leave.
No one is moving from emirates to come to Qatar but trust me there are many people moving the other way around - there must be a reason for it!! Think about it and share your views so that more people do not get caught and maybe one can only hope that the conditions will get better - inshallah!!!!!!!

[spearomic]

Do not believe this person, all his informations are wrong. I am a new joiner and things are great in Doha, you get 6 weeks accommodation and they will keep you there if you don't find a place. car loans are approved right away, not even need for RP. RP you get in 2 weeks only. Qatar Airways is well organize despite the fact that a lot of people are joining, and very helpful, they give you advance salary, free transportation the first week, and cabs are cheap in Doha. All the people that joined with me felt that the company really holds your hands throughout the joining process. People working here are very friendly. I am tired of hearing this nonsense. Of course they have rules but you need rules for an airline who is growing that fast. If you come here with a positive attitude you will enjoy it.

[Dubaian]

You even battle to get a alcohol license - yes even that is under control in this control freak of a country!

Liquor permits for Off-Sales are quite normal in non-dry Gulf States. AFAIK only Bahrain does not require one.

In Doha I would not call it a battle - once you have an RP you just need a supporting letter from your employer as the value of permit granted is salary-related. Then the procedure is simple. I do resent paying a 1000QAR refundable deposit for the permit - but it's the same for everyone here.

Cannot comment on the QR-related items in the two posts above - interesting divergence of viewpoints though. As they say, 2 sides to every story....

[fatbus]

Noticed a crew in LHR 16 CC 13 Asians and not west Asians, Pur western girl and 2 ME guys

[JCUERVO]

Funny to see all of Ali B's personal PPrune harem come out to disprove what is in fact a very fair post...Dark Magic spot ON! Most of us who have had to deal with the reality of the 5 " star" culture wont even take the time to post on here as to busy looking to get out! But dont worry, truth comes out and everyone makes up there own mind... Truth is in everyones perspective

[gcc_]

JCUERVO,

Who is this Ali B?
You mean Ali G?

[jimmyg]

So being rude and un-polite is acceptable behavior?

I will never get used to or accept this type of archaic approach to management.

We must set the tone treating you staff with respectful courteousness. It would appear that many managers and companies in the region are starving for efficient compliance and get just the opposite with this insecure weak management style.

Treating people with honesty, dignity and respect will most always have the desired effects.

[av8tordude]

Originally Posted by jimmyg

So being rude and un-polite is acceptable behavior?

Jimmyg...
Trying re-reading his post! No where does it say you have to be rude. Being rude or disrespectful is unacceptable behavior and will quickly find yourself terminated!

Originally Posted by JCUERVO

Dark Magic spot ON!

Actually...he's not.

Truth is in everyones perspective

True, unfortunately their perspective are distorted by the realities of the situation.

Originally Posted by dark magic

they do not give what they say they will and you will spend your entire life unhappy and not get what you expect.

Every document I received was explained in detailed. No surprises. If you were told differently, than its possible, but highly unlikely.

as a pilot you will get 2 weeks in company accommodation and then you are expected to move out.

WRONG!!!! You are accommodated for 4 weeks which can be extended to 6 weeks. If you need more time, just inform them with an explanation why you need it. I know one person is who arrived in May and he is allow to stay in his accommodation until August.

Trust me things are expensive here! Try get a lease in a place without a residence permit... good luck..... it takes money!! Yes you can get it but all the money that you bring with you (yes ridiculous - you need to bring money to this place to even make money lol) will go to secure a lease.

You just contradicted yourself! First you say you need a RP to rent a place, but if you have your own money, you can get your own place??? C'mon, stop drinking & typing. You going to hurt yourself

FACT...I moved out of my accommodation 1-week after arriving. I only needed a copy of my visa that was in my passport. Oh...the part about being expensive...its relative to where you came from and its only expensive if you want to make it expensive.

You are afforded QAR 11,800 for Housing, Transportation, & Utilities. I'll admit, to get anything decent, it will cost about QAR 12k and up. Sure it sucks you have to come out of pocket to find accommodation, but lets come back to reality. Before you come here, are you getting free accommodation
where you staying now????

you suffer while you are not able to get a car, furniture and all the basic needs like internet phone etc etc.
Right now you are not even able to get a loan for a car since they have this ridiculous rule that you can only bond half your salary, after all deductions. Wel this is where it gets interesting - you will have no money and therefore do not qualify for a loan!

Where do I start...

The next day after arriving, I got a prepaid phone. I purchased the cheapest model to cover the basics (make and receive calls). In total, it cost me QAR160 for the phone & QAR50 for the minutes. Calling the USA, I was able to talk for 5hrs. When I was ready, I purchased a smart phone. You can purchase a mobile internet device that will give access to the internet.

Car:
You will not be able to get a car loan until you receive your first paycheck. Until then, cab drivers are pretty cheap. If cabbing is not your thing, you can rent a car. (QAR1600-2200 for the smallest car). All you need is a credit card and your visa in your passport.

Loan:
Being bonded has nothing to do with getting a loan. You can get a loan as soon as you get your first paycheck. The amount of will be determined by your position (F/O or CA). F/O can get a QAR200K car loan approval. I'm not sure about the loan amount for CA, but I'm sure its a larger amount.

You can also get a person loan as well. F/O can get a QAR20K person loan.

Furniture:
You can get furnished housing or unfurnished housing.

Oh how did I forget to mention - Qatar Airways do not give a damn about it as they do not give a interest free loan like Emirates does (what I think is the pilots 5 star airline)

Now the camillian shows his true colors. Its about who's airline is better. Same tired conversation from a typical kid pilot. "My dick is bigger than yours!" I can list many others pluses and minus about every other airlines, but if you have been in the industry long enough and done your research, then you will know the pluses and minus about the airline you are considering.

I can not speak intelligently about Emirates loan policies, but I suspect Emirates is not the place you are receiving your loan. If you are getting an interest-free loan, it most likely an agreement made between the banks and Emirates Airlines for pilots to received such a benefit.

QR has benifits as too, but considering your post, you are not "assertive" enough (lazy) to find out.

Also you will be told that they refund the cargo expenses well good luck getting that money back not to mention any money that you pay out for!

Wrong again...not surprising!
If you have understood what was emailed to you, you will be reimbursed. If you had a different interpretation, then I suggest you be assertive enough to ask for a further clarification.

Here is what I receive and I suspect everyone receives the same email. It seems very clear what QR will reimburse you...

Unaccompanied baggage

Please find attached the necessary authority document to be presented at the Cargo Centre from where you wish your UNACCOMPANIED baggage (Cargo) to be dispatched. A copy of the authority document has also been sent to the nearest QR Office. You will need to carry the airway bill with you for easy clearance of your cargo.

Your unaccompanied baggage must be sent in your name, c/o (mention department name and contact number), Qatar Airways, P.O. Box 22550, Doha, State of Qatar.

The Unaccompanied Baggage (Cargo) entitlement only covers actual freight cost, the war risk, fuel surcharge and limited storage costs upon arrival in Doha. Third party costs such as packing/unpacking, custom duties, insurance, moving, porterage, handling agency fees, transportation expenses incurred at point of origin, via location or at Doha are not reimbursed.

Qatar Airways is not responsible for storage or clearance, demurrage and other related costs of your cargo. You will clear all goods through a Clearing Agent at the Cargo Terminal. The agents generally have their own minivans for local transportation of goods to the residence at a negotiated price.

Please take note that the first 5 days will free of storage charges from the date of the notification by QAS Cargo. If the cargo is not collected after the grace period the consignee will be subjected to storage charges as per QAS published storage fees.

For procedure and assistance in clearance of your cargo you will need to contact the Cargo department as per details listed below.
Contact Numbers: 4622474 / 4621403
Email: [email protected]

You will spend every single one of your off days chasing people in the office - just to be pushed from pillar to post!
Speaking of that - everyting you need in Qatar Airways is about pushing you from one tower to the next building etc.

You must not be an assertive person, expecting everyone to wait on you hand and foot. You must be...what that word...oh...ROYALTY!!!

You even battle to get a alcohol license - yes even that is under control in this control freak of a country!

Every Gulf Country has some type of restriction on alcohol and pork. Considering your location, you should have been aware of this restrictions. (unless you been living under a rock.)

I will not even get started on flight attendants - guys and girls - do not take it!!! You have NO life! You have to be in Doha 12 hours before any pick up - you share accomadation with a bunch of slave type labour people working here - as they can only hire slaves for this job. If you come for an interview please ask them - how many western flight attendants do you have?!?! They will lie to you as there are none!!!lol
A western person will not take this! Do you want to hear the biggest control freak joke - if you want to get married you have to ask permission from the boss lol - is he now your dad?!?!

I'll just say this, the cabin crews at QR are paid approximately USD2-3K/month and receive free housing. I can guarantee you that no western F/A will come here for that type of money, because you can make more than that working for a regional carrier in the States. As for the other cabin crew members, most are from countries that are experiencing difficult employment opportunities or come here as a stepping stone to something better. Regardless, without experience, you will have to start somewhere.

I agree that F/A's should not have to ask for permission to live the life as the choose or the restriction place on the daily lives. Their salary also needs an improvement as well. That being said, they can't complain about this information as it is widely known.

Basically to sum it up - if you want to have a life and enjoy your time in an airline go to emirates or etihad!! You will never be happy here!!
Please guys share your thoughts so that more people do not get fooled and suck with these ridiculous bonds (loans) so you can not leave.
No one is moving from emirates to come to Qatar but trust me there are many people moving the other way around - there must be a reason for it!! Think about it and share your views so that more people do not get caught and maybe one can only hope that the conditions will get better - inshallah!!!!!!!

To sum it up...I'm not here to promote and degrade QR, but at least get your facts straight! People come here looking for FACTS so they can make their own determination about their future career path.

Inshallah!!!

[jimmyg]

av8tordude,

My reply was not so much a retort to the previous post but more to the core issues of accepted MANAGEMENT practices of the region.

This is how it is; just live with it go along or leave it is a poor excuse for the lazy and uneducated.

In order to get things done, being assertive? Yes many times do require it.

Proactive? Always!

Cheers

[Jetaim]

inshallah

Inshallah... I will never ever have to move to desert, travel in time back to the Middle Age and deal with idiotic subcontinent clerk/slaves to get things done. Stay away if you can!

[ironbutt57]

idiotic subcontinent clerk/slaves to get things done.

That's a horrible thing to say, they are human beings just like the rest of us, learning cultural differences can be enlightening, frustrating, but for sure educational, I'm sure they find us frustrating (and arrogant) as well, but it's an opportunity to broaden your horizons,

[archer_737]

Don't take Jetaim seriously.

Just go to visit his/her posts and you will see that 90% of them, from the beginning, concerns Middle East, QR, EK, EY... He/she had some problem over there and can get over it so he/she has to spend the whole day blaming the people working there or the companies.

Some old frustration maybe?

[dark magic]

OMG all the company guys have to come out
Look at some of you - lets put it to you as fact. If you think Qatar Airways think about your well being then you are a fool! Pain and simple!
Just do one "unstable approach" and you are done!
I this an inviroment to be working - yes I understand that it is there as protection - I guess cause they have a bunch of LOW time 200 hour pilots that actually fly unlike Cathay where you have to sit boy pilot to get some hours and basic experience!
Lets face it some of these rules are a joke and if I had of known the whole package - and yes that includes making less money than before - and yes I did recieve housing in my last job (I guess some of you are working away from home for the first time - but that is industry norm to get housing!) and lets face it I did not have to work with the entire office staff made up for a bunch of head knodders (and people working in this joke will know what this means)
As for the company men posting - either you are management sitting trying to ensure you still get pilots or you are some of those boring pilots that will sc**w us all to get ahead - yay what do you get for being like that - a faster command? a better position? What ever - at the end of the day you will be messed around and your time wil come when you see the light lol
God help you really.
Please guys what I have said is fact - all the other replies are a few and I mean few guys that are happy! Everyone that is here I am sure is looking at new jobs and or can not move just yet due to their cunning plan to bond people. This is something they started recently as so many people were coming here - getting the rating and then going to fly for a real airline - not an airline that is all about show for the outside, meanwhile the inside is rotting!!
Everything you do here is about manual paper work! NOTHING is easy and trust me there is no head knodder "holding your hand" lol
As I say if you want to buy booze you have to submit paper work and ask your father "boss" if you can PLEASE have a letter to drink lol
When after more than 24 hours you get this letter then you have to drive miles into the dessert and pay rediculious prices not to mention that you ahve to pay 1000 riyals as a deposit. Deposit for what can I ask?!?!
Do not even get started with the imcompetence.
There are no western people in the office and that will drive any sain person mad

IF YOU HAVE THE OPTION AND YOU HAVE OTHER OFFERS - DO NOT COME HERE!!! trust me I would be out if I could!!

[spearomic]

av8tordude

[givemewings]

One point of yours falls over- having to get a booze license is not unique to QR- even your 'five star pilot airline' Emirates crew have to do this too- it's a government thing, not an airline thing. People not in QR, living in Doha, need one as well.

Took me almost one month to get mine...!

[Black Pudding]

What a Gob****e

[CaptainProp]

Haha....

[ziubelu]

Yah..just stay were you are and avoid bothering us...of course it is not easy but we are doing well...problems have a solutions and so far we are doing well...I had 5 weeks free temporary accomodation..a car in 3 days..a new telephone and internet in 5..a house in une week..payed the safety deposit in three months..had an advance on the salary in 3 days...a type rating in 1 month..and only met friendly peolple that rushed to tell me "welcome in Qatar"...guess what ask yourself if the arabs have the same treatment in western countries!....take care and hope you get a happy life elsewere...

[ziubelu]

...yeah...ha..ha..ha..ha..ha..I'm pissing in my pants...!...it's fun over there huh???...just some bullets chasing you 24 around the clock...hi..hi..hi...

[ziubelu]

..it's not a matter of being rude...it's just..please do this and that...please...and thank you and smile (but don't forget if you don't you'll be sucked) thank you and smile...