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final decision to choose EK/QR

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final decision to choose EK/QR

Old 2nd Jul 2018, 08:08
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final decision to choose EK/QR

Finally, I got a job offers for QR 787 and EK 777. now I am a 737 first officer and really unhappy in my current company. So I will pick one of QR or EK and staying in here is not an option.

I am a single man in beginning of 30s and has about 3000hrs. Making money is not only factor for me. command upgrade, working enviroment, social life, roster etc I need to compare all of them.

How is 787 roster in QR? how many off days in a month I can expect total and in a row. How fast is the command upgrade nowadays. I think I have to stay company accomadation in QR and in this case is there any rules or any problem with guests etc.
mulayimsert is offline  
Old 2nd Jul 2018, 08:19
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Should you have not asked those questions at the interview?
You're going to get a variety of answers here, most of which will probably not help, and could make your decision harder.
Until recently I was with EK, and as long as you worked by the rules, they left you alone.

Good Luck!
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Old 2nd Jul 2018, 10:57
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now I am a 737 first officer and really unhappy in my current company
I doubt that will change if you join either of these two.
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Old 2nd Jul 2018, 10:58
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Hahahaha. Youre gonna wish you hadnt come to either.......

its like choosing betwen being knifed or shot.
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Old 2nd Jul 2018, 12:04
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QR will lead you faster to the LH seat (if absolutely nothing goes wrong while you occupy the RH seat) and Dubai will provide you with better lifestyle (will also spend more of your money), but both will probably make you resent becoming a pilot, this region put in check the love you have for your job up to the last drop. Since you are already unhappy with your current job just choose either one and make some money, be wise and save it so in a near future you can leave this place with enough money to be the master of your own choices in life, meaning you can work for whoever you want.
Good luck.
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Old 2nd Jul 2018, 12:05
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All pilots in QR will get the minimum 8 days off per month in Doha, maybe a couple more, of which four will be consecutive. Destinations are Europe, Asia and Africa. Most will be 24 hour layovers so count on 48 hours away from Doha for each trip.

Accomodation will be company provided. You can bid to move to other company accom if you wish. There is a possibility to opt out and get the housing allowance instead, but I think there is a long wait for that. Bringing visitors is not a problem.

Time to start the Command course is around three years after joining. You can expect to do yours on the 787.
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Old 2nd Jul 2018, 12:16
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Without knowing individual circumstances, my order of choice would be:
1. EK380
2. QR787
3. Anything else
4. EK777

Quality of life on the EK777, read any of the hundreds of other threads!
Time to command on EK777, hm let’s see..

The B777 fleet expansion is over so you’re looking at attrition alone. The current rate is about 100 skippers per year leaving/retiring with 1300 skippers in total so you do the math. The 777x will replace old ER according to fleet management. The saving grace could be introduction of the 787 IF they do mixed fleet flying but probably not

So basically, tell EK you’d like 380 only. If that’s not available, go with QR
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Old 2nd Jul 2018, 14:14
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Pros QR 787:
Much, much better rosters.
Proper annual leave
Better money
A bidding system that actually works
Much less fatigue
Much shorter time to left seat if you make your way through the command process (not as easy as in Turkey, fail rate is high)
Company is helpful if something happens at home with family.
Saving money is easy if you're single.

Pros EK 777
More experienced captains, influx of many lowcost narrowbody captains has brought with it many problems, you have to keep an eye or two open in order to avoid trouble. The atmosphere is good though.
Housing is much better, at the moment you are stuck with what you are given in QR and moving out of company acc. is on hold for more than a year. Many guys with kids and wife are stuck with a one bedroom apt in the Pearl. Moving out or geting a two bedroom takes ages.

It all depends on your preference and future plans. If you want to return to Turkey as a DEC on WB, I'd go with QR. If you want to party and live hard, I'd go for Dubai.

Last edited by APU_inop; 2nd Jul 2018 at 16:08.
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Old 3rd Jul 2018, 00:40
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If you want a shot at command in the next 4 years: Qatar.

If you want a better roster: Qatar

If you want more money: Qatar

If you want better night clubs: Dubai

If you want more things to do back at base: Dubai

If you want a more social atmosphere: Dubai

I hope you're seeing the trend. Qatar is the better airline to work for and you'll move up to the left seat much faster. In fact you'll probably get a shot at command inside of 3 years. EK could take 6-10
Dubai is a better place to live.
​​​​​
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Old 3rd Jul 2018, 00:53
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Airmann is on the nail - if you are single want a good social life choose Dubai, Doha is a very acquired taste.
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Old 3rd Jul 2018, 18:54
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Go to FlyDubai XD
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Old 4th Jul 2018, 07:55
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Originally Posted by kcar
So basically, tell EK you’d like 380 only.
You can tell EK what you like, they will put you on whatever fleet they deem necessary even if they have told you otherwise. It's really not the sort of place that gives in to your personal preferences.
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Old 4th Jul 2018, 13:21
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Have to laugh ! Years ago the fleet to be on was the 330 , then "if they offer anything but 777 ,say no ", then the same with the 380 . Now guys are bitching about the 777 and telling guys to say "no to the 777" it's cyclical. Upgrades will change and fleet transfer will change if and when required. Dubai vs Doha !simple! Do the research .
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Old 4th Jul 2018, 16:43
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Thanks guys. of course I visited both cities and asked questions to them but I would like to listen from pilots not recruiters.

the biggest question is command upgrade. what is the average time to upgrade. I will hit 6000hrs most probably about 4 years and then how long I have to wait in a realistic manner? For Qatar 4000hrs required to upgrade instead of 6000 but also 3 year QR experience required. so flight time criteria is not important for me


EK777 roster is ok for me and I already accepted the offer so I cant ask for 380 anymore. QR made a last minute offer while I am collecting my stuff to move Dubai. now I am confused thats the all story.

Turn back to Turkey as a wb captain, yes it sounds good but I cant make plans on it.
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 08:03
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Originally Posted by mulayimsert

EK777 roster is ok for me
You say that now. I did too. Looks fine on paper but try it for a year and you will be begging for mercy
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 09:26
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It seems that time to command is important to you. In that case there is no comparison, Qatar is much faster than Emirates. On the B777 at EK upgrade times are around 5 years now and increasing. Salary is better at Qatar as well.
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 09:49
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Dusty is quite right.

It is easy to look at an average roster and think 'I can cope with that' but can you (and your family) cope with that type of roster each and every month?

It doesn't just place a strain on your body. It will place a strain on your marriage too. Imagine being on a day off between trips and having to tell your family that you are just too tired to see the play at your son's school in which he has a lead role, or too tired to take your wife out for dinner as previously promised.

Don't just think about if you can cope but also if your family can cope with what it will do to you and the effects of that.
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 10:20
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Some of the posts above are now incorrect re upgrade. Upgrades in EK have completely sped up, you are now looking at just over 3 years to get the letter.
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 10:30
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The fatigue, rosters and degraded quality of life are just as bad in the left seat as the right.
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 15:46
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How is the block off system works in EK? For instance, if you have 7 days leave then how many off days you can take to the beginning or end of leave. I know the QR from my friends but I am not sure for EK 777. If someone could send me a typical 777 roster with/without leave. it would be great.
mulayimsert is offline  

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