Qatar and us
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Kenya
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Qatar and us
Hey Guys. I don’t work for Qatar but my wife did. There’s been a lot of negative posts about the airline, some of which is well deserved. I’m currently flying a wide body for a US carrier and I have no desire to work for a Middle Eastern carrier. I do however, have to say thank you to Qatar and it’s CEO for the way they treated my wife during her tenure at the company.
I met my wife while working in Africa. She was a flight attendant for her national airline and I was a Captain. We started dating, one thing led to another and now we’re married, happily. She decided to go to a Qatar job fair in East Africa on a day off with one of her friends. I encouraged this and they were both hired. Training wasn’t too terribly difficult and they adjusted to their environment and complied with the rules. She did well and they were both recommended for promotion to business class service. In 2016, she was rapidly losing weight, her lymph nodes were swollen and she kept getting sick, including a near fatal bout of malaria. After the way the Qatari health system treated her malaria, she decided to wait until she had a bangkok overnight to seek an evaluation there. During a BKK overnight, she went to the hospital. She didn’t leave the hospital for the next month. Her condition was critical. A tumor was pressing against her heart, it punched a hole in her lung and was hitting her spine. She was on 24 hour oxygen due to the punctured lung and she was diagnosed with stage 3+ lymphoma. We were devastated, especially since my father succumbed to lymphoma less than 6 months prior.
Qatar immediately dispatched a woman from their welfare department. This kind, humble and experienced lady acted as a liaison between the company and the hospital. Qatar arranged for her family to come to Bangkok to see her. They bought her family confirmed tickets, facilitated their visas, met them at all stops with an agent, got them transportation from the airport to the hotel, paid for their hotel and even went So far as to get the girls SIM cards.
Her situation necessitated chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Her medical bills exceeded her insured amount. The ceo of the airline personally took charge of her medical bills. Her treatment lasted over a year and she had to go back and forth between Qatar and bangkok repeatedly. Every time, the airline gave her a confirmed ticket, a staff member to assist, ground transport and a hotel. Qatar paid her base salary this entire time as well.
Once again, I want to reiterate that I do not work for Qatar, nor do I want to. I’m a US citizen and enjoy my current gig and our union. I am grateful to the company and it’s ceo. They saved my girlfriends life. She is now with me full time. With some remorse, she quit Qatar to live with me on our tropical island full time. We were married last week and grateful, healthy and humble. We are grateful to the airline, healthy because of it and humbled by this experience. Thank you again Qatar.
I met my wife while working in Africa. She was a flight attendant for her national airline and I was a Captain. We started dating, one thing led to another and now we’re married, happily. She decided to go to a Qatar job fair in East Africa on a day off with one of her friends. I encouraged this and they were both hired. Training wasn’t too terribly difficult and they adjusted to their environment and complied with the rules. She did well and they were both recommended for promotion to business class service. In 2016, she was rapidly losing weight, her lymph nodes were swollen and she kept getting sick, including a near fatal bout of malaria. After the way the Qatari health system treated her malaria, she decided to wait until she had a bangkok overnight to seek an evaluation there. During a BKK overnight, she went to the hospital. She didn’t leave the hospital for the next month. Her condition was critical. A tumor was pressing against her heart, it punched a hole in her lung and was hitting her spine. She was on 24 hour oxygen due to the punctured lung and she was diagnosed with stage 3+ lymphoma. We were devastated, especially since my father succumbed to lymphoma less than 6 months prior.
Qatar immediately dispatched a woman from their welfare department. This kind, humble and experienced lady acted as a liaison between the company and the hospital. Qatar arranged for her family to come to Bangkok to see her. They bought her family confirmed tickets, facilitated their visas, met them at all stops with an agent, got them transportation from the airport to the hotel, paid for their hotel and even went So far as to get the girls SIM cards.
Her situation necessitated chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Her medical bills exceeded her insured amount. The ceo of the airline personally took charge of her medical bills. Her treatment lasted over a year and she had to go back and forth between Qatar and bangkok repeatedly. Every time, the airline gave her a confirmed ticket, a staff member to assist, ground transport and a hotel. Qatar paid her base salary this entire time as well.
Once again, I want to reiterate that I do not work for Qatar, nor do I want to. I’m a US citizen and enjoy my current gig and our union. I am grateful to the company and it’s ceo. They saved my girlfriends life. She is now with me full time. With some remorse, she quit Qatar to live with me on our tropical island full time. We were married last week and grateful, healthy and humble. We are grateful to the airline, healthy because of it and humbled by this experience. Thank you again Qatar.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Dubai
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mousoori sana, African bro
Glad it worked out for you, and assume your wife is now well and recovered (not clear from your post).
Always good to hear the other side of the story.
Peace
Glad it worked out for you, and assume your wife is now well and recovered (not clear from your post).
Always good to hear the other side of the story.
Peace
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sand pit
Age: 54
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You do hear some bad stories yes... but I know several people who have had major health/ family problems and have had more support than you would have received in the USA or similar country. Have heard many “feel good “ stories from other pilots saying they couldn’t believe the support they received
Nice support story & very positive to hear I hope it’s all working out well for you both! The only negative aspect seems to be the poor initial diagnosis by the health professionals in Qatar . Perhaps something to be aware of if you live there ... ?
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Asia
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very nice to read your story. We do have an entire department (Flight Crew support services) dedicated to all sorts of issues pilots and cabin crew might encounter. I have only positive things to say from my interactions with them.
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Middle East
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So nice to read something positive for a change......generally these types of stories go unheard of. Thanks for the post and all the best and good health for the future.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Kenya
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AVOID healthcare in Qatar. The Qataris do. She had malaria, she told them, brought to emergency room 5x’s in 7 days. Refused to give her a blood test, said it was fatigue. She almost died. Their excuse was that there is no malaria in Qatar. They have lots of shiny, new medical equipment and unfortunately, not the expertise to operate it. Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok has a concierge service exclusively for Middle Eastern Patients. Half of the patients are from the Middle East.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Kenya
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Mogadishu FIR
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is why is so hard to find true facts about working in guantanamo : while Emirates posts are full of angry pilots talking about the true to work on it, Guantanamo is full of fake profiles with "pilots" praising the company or benefits, and not talking about how lovely doha is, the non blame policy, the punitive culture, and things like that.
By the way, this topic came from nowhere ; another "too much wonderful job" prom
From "captain" Sandeep from the IT dept or similar...
If you guys wanna know the truth about Emirates, this is the place.... But guantanamo... Forget it
By the way, this topic came from nowhere ; another "too much wonderful job" prom
From "captain" Sandeep from the IT dept or similar...
If you guys wanna know the truth about Emirates, this is the place.... But guantanamo... Forget it
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Dubai - sand land.
Age: 55
Posts: 2,832
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The difference is easily seen if you ever visit Doha after living in Dubai; quite frankly it’s an absolute dump! Not saying that Dubai is all roses but there’s a big difference between the two and that should be taken into account!
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Doha
Age: 13
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please don't take my post with any offence or criticism as I have read your post for several years and respect that you post no bull**** response etc etc.
Would I rather work for Qatar or Emirates. Reading all the post on here I'll stay where I am. When I leave, I'll leave the area. Would I rather live in Doha or Dubai, not sure but with regards to being sent to jail if I show any sympathy to the political situation in the region, I'll stay in Doha. And it's not an absolute dump. It's Doha and not Dubai. We are a few years behind Dubai but to be honest, I prefer it as it is. We have bars and a Rugby Club and we don't have too many parties on a beach. I've been to Dubai several times and to be honest, I am not 100% sure I would be happy living there. Some people don't want all the bull**** that is Dubai. I am happy where I am at the moment and I would rather be happy in work and ok with where I live rather than miserable in work and happy with my location. I spend a lot of time in work and being happy in work is the factor to where I decide to be employed. Location helps and Doha is not a bad place to be.
I like many others are very happy here and have no intentions of leaving, or at least until we have to.
Regarding the original post. There are lots of stories where our CEO has paid and funded help for employees needing help or medical care. This is not made up stories. It does happen. I can believe the original post and I am not surprised at all.
Regarding all you guys over in Emirates. If your not happy, maybe consider applying here in Doha as I think the mutual agreement no longer exists. I know of some of our FOs going over to you and I hear of some of your guys coming over to,us.
One last point, we are all ex pats. We are here to earn money. When it's over, it's over.
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Sandy beach
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's nice to see a positive story. I didn't realize until recently how many medical tourists travel to BKK. Interesting.
Funny how these posts from Doha always drifts into the Doha vs Dubai...
I think we all try and justify our position as ex pats; trying to convince ourselves we made the right decision or due to circumstances our paths took us a certain way ( didn't make it through the EK interview
) For what its worth, I have never heard of any pilot going from Dubai to Doha other than for a management position. There might be other rare cases of dismissal or turned down for upgrade etc. Doha is def not Dubai. The "quiet life" argument always comes up in Doha. 
A few years behind? Ya think? I've been to Doha and its a world away. No thanks. We are all here for money, and agree with that, but let's not let a nice story get in the way of the truth.
Funny how these posts from Doha always drifts into the Doha vs Dubai...
I think we all try and justify our position as ex pats; trying to convince ourselves we made the right decision or due to circumstances our paths took us a certain way ( didn't make it through the EK interview
) For what its worth, I have never heard of any pilot going from Dubai to Doha other than for a management position. There might be other rare cases of dismissal or turned down for upgrade etc. Doha is def not Dubai. The "quiet life" argument always comes up in Doha. A few years behind? Ya think? I've been to Doha and its a world away. No thanks. We are all here for money, and agree with that, but let's not let a nice story get in the way of the truth.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Doha
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So you have never heard of a non management pilot going from Dubai to Doha, well I have. I did 8 years in EK and am quite happy in QR. Yes Dubai is better in terms of bars and beaches etc but like the earlier post said, I rather be happy at work and OK with where I live etc. In the end none of these places are like home and we are here for the money.
Oh and before anybody starts the inevitable baiting, no I was not sacked from EK, I resigned in disgust at the way their welfare department, oops sorry, almost forgot, they don't have one, no I resigned in disgust at the way management treated my family and I throughout serious illness.
Nowhere is perfect. But when I interviewed here I had one question for the panel and it was regarding welfare. They assured me QR looks after its pilots and everything I have seen since coming here has strongly confirmed the truth of that assurance in my mind.
I wish you EK guys happy times but don't believe all the negative crap you hear about QR.
Oh and before anybody starts the inevitable baiting, no I was not sacked from EK, I resigned in disgust at the way their welfare department, oops sorry, almost forgot, they don't have one, no I resigned in disgust at the way management treated my family and I throughout serious illness.
Nowhere is perfect. But when I interviewed here I had one question for the panel and it was regarding welfare. They assured me QR looks after its pilots and everything I have seen since coming here has strongly confirmed the truth of that assurance in my mind.
I wish you EK guys happy times but don't believe all the negative crap you hear about QR.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Sky
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Question one: can you survive in the desert?
If yes
Question two: where in the desert should I go
I went to Doha despite the old horror stories and was pleasantly surprised... Went to Dubai for the occasional R&R and hated that place.. Speaking to some buddies there I was happy I went for the Doha option...
Why did I leave in the end? The desert was getting to me....
If yes
Question two: where in the desert should I go
I went to Doha despite the old horror stories and was pleasantly surprised... Went to Dubai for the occasional R&R and hated that place.. Speaking to some buddies there I was happy I went for the Doha option...
Why did I leave in the end? The desert was getting to me....
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
QR/DOH Pros:
Although rents are high in Doha the company gives adequate money for a decent compound Villa.
The other issue is that costs in places like Dubai and Bahrain are increasing day by day. Qatar actually has lower utility costs and good deals for things like mobile and internet packages.
Food prices are fair and if you find the right deals eating out is also fairly priced.
In addition Qatar Airways now provides free yearly medicals and there is still no talk of VAT in the country.
In addition the take home pay is the highest outside of maybe Saudia.
The company has a fairly decent bidding system. Although not perfect if you know how to use it wisely you can get what you want.
The training department is generally fair if you come prepared.
The company honors the allocated 42 days leave per year without question. And in addition guarantees 1 or 2 days off before and/or after. Can be taken in blocks of 6 days.
Company has overtime pay after reaching a yearly limit so scheduling are forced to be even and fair with distribution of hours.
Locals have no specific privelages within the airline that could affect your life. Everyone is treated the same In addition the number of locals is less than 10% so those going for upgrades, transfers are not looked over in favor of locals.
For FOs: the company does not see the Captain as God. The company and it's procedures come first. Crews are expected to work as a team and no one is above the law.
Company always pays salaries on time.
CONS:
Doha is not as exciting as Dubai. But then again this can be seen as a positive in that there's less places to spend your money.
The desert is not a nice climate to be living in. It's nice for 4 months in the winter. Ok for 4 months and pure hell for 4.
Still have to deal with 3rd World mentalities around the country. Including on the road.
Quality of life is better in Dubai but more expensive with less salary.
Company has short fuse for mistakes and those coming from friendly local and low cost airlines have trouble adjusting to the cut throat pressure environment of QR.
You are just a number. (Lots of guys seem to need more love than what they're getting, emotional guys you know lol)
Cabin Crew have a generally negative view of pilots which comes from the CEO, who has an even more negative view of pilots.
Slightly militaristic style throughout the airline (again in some cases could be seen as a positive no one calling you on your day off asking you 'please Habibi do this flight' because a local Captain didn't want to fly to India during the monsoons)
Country is under a blockade! Future is unknown, costs could rise as government looks for increased revenue to offset loses and increased costs.
Just lost buddy pass system and unkown if it will return.
Although rents are high in Doha the company gives adequate money for a decent compound Villa.
The other issue is that costs in places like Dubai and Bahrain are increasing day by day. Qatar actually has lower utility costs and good deals for things like mobile and internet packages.
Food prices are fair and if you find the right deals eating out is also fairly priced.
In addition Qatar Airways now provides free yearly medicals and there is still no talk of VAT in the country.
In addition the take home pay is the highest outside of maybe Saudia.
The company has a fairly decent bidding system. Although not perfect if you know how to use it wisely you can get what you want.
The training department is generally fair if you come prepared.
The company honors the allocated 42 days leave per year without question. And in addition guarantees 1 or 2 days off before and/or after. Can be taken in blocks of 6 days.
Company has overtime pay after reaching a yearly limit so scheduling are forced to be even and fair with distribution of hours.
Locals have no specific privelages within the airline that could affect your life. Everyone is treated the same In addition the number of locals is less than 10% so those going for upgrades, transfers are not looked over in favor of locals.
For FOs: the company does not see the Captain as God. The company and it's procedures come first. Crews are expected to work as a team and no one is above the law.
Company always pays salaries on time.
CONS:
Doha is not as exciting as Dubai. But then again this can be seen as a positive in that there's less places to spend your money.
The desert is not a nice climate to be living in. It's nice for 4 months in the winter. Ok for 4 months and pure hell for 4.
Still have to deal with 3rd World mentalities around the country. Including on the road.
Quality of life is better in Dubai but more expensive with less salary.
Company has short fuse for mistakes and those coming from friendly local and low cost airlines have trouble adjusting to the cut throat pressure environment of QR.
You are just a number. (Lots of guys seem to need more love than what they're getting, emotional guys you know lol)
Cabin Crew have a generally negative view of pilots which comes from the CEO, who has an even more negative view of pilots.
Slightly militaristic style throughout the airline (again in some cases could be seen as a positive no one calling you on your day off asking you 'please Habibi do this flight' because a local Captain didn't want to fly to India during the monsoons)
Country is under a blockade! Future is unknown, costs could rise as government looks for increased revenue to offset loses and increased costs.
Just lost buddy pass system and unkown if it will return.
Last edited by Airmann; 12th Jun 2018 at 18:56.
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Mediterranean
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been in QR for only a few years but I would say that Airmann's post is as objective as it gets.
Another pro for first officers is the relatively short time to upgrade on the widebody. Friends with only 3,5 years in the company have already gone through the interviews and similar formalities and are at the moment waiting for a command course.
Another pro for first officers is the relatively short time to upgrade on the widebody. Friends with only 3,5 years in the company have already gone through the interviews and similar formalities and are at the moment waiting for a command course.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Doha
Age: 13
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been in QR for only a few years but I would say that Airmann's post is as objective as it gets.
Another pro for first officers is the relatively short time to upgrade on the widebody. Friends with only 3,5 years in the company have already gone through the interviews and similar formalities and are at the moment waiting for a command course.
Another pro for first officers is the relatively short time to upgrade on the widebody. Friends with only 3,5 years in the company have already gone through the interviews and similar formalities and are at the moment waiting for a command course.