New captain in EU LLC, -> FO Qatar or Emirates?
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dubai, UAE
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Also, be very wary of 'accelerated command' offers.
People forget history fast but EK particularly has track of rule/requirements changes at short notice that mean you're stuck on the RHS for 5 years or longer than expected.
At the moment they are desperate for Captains on the Airbus but that could change overnight - happened before - then you become a very experienced SFO at the bottom of the list.
People forget history fast but EK particularly has track of rule/requirements changes at short notice that mean you're stuck on the RHS for 5 years or longer than expected.
At the moment they are desperate for Captains on the Airbus but that could change overnight - happened before - then you become a very experienced SFO at the bottom of the list.
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Doha
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Been flying for Qatar on the 777 as a FO for more than 5 years.
With the fleet shortage you will probably end up on 777
If you think about joining QR here are a few points to consider.
- Wait to have enough command time for DEC. Upgrade in QR will beat the very least 6-7 years, if it ever happens.
- Fast track is an absolute lie there. Even if it's in your contract. They will just change it when you'll go and ask for your command. Been there...
- On the 777 with the crew shortage forget about having 6 days off in a row.
- On the 777 forget having more 2 days off with your leaves.
- This is not a commuting contract, they want you to stay in Qatar and spend money there.
- Getting a decent accomodation is complicated especially nowadays.
- Most of company accomodations are sub-standar.
- Again, and I can't stress that enough, wait to have 1000-1500h and go there as a DEC. FO get absolutely no consideration in QR, and you won't be given a chance to command before a long time. Just upgrading as SFO will take 2-3 years, will require test and ground course...
A 1500h of command will make a huge difference on everything and will open more doors.
On a meeting a few years ago they made it very clear that DEC are cheaper and a better option for them.
Food luck.
With the fleet shortage you will probably end up on 777
If you think about joining QR here are a few points to consider.
- Wait to have enough command time for DEC. Upgrade in QR will beat the very least 6-7 years, if it ever happens.
- Fast track is an absolute lie there. Even if it's in your contract. They will just change it when you'll go and ask for your command. Been there...
- On the 777 with the crew shortage forget about having 6 days off in a row.
- On the 777 forget having more 2 days off with your leaves.
- This is not a commuting contract, they want you to stay in Qatar and spend money there.
- Getting a decent accomodation is complicated especially nowadays.
- Most of company accomodations are sub-standar.
- Again, and I can't stress that enough, wait to have 1000-1500h and go there as a DEC. FO get absolutely no consideration in QR, and you won't be given a chance to command before a long time. Just upgrading as SFO will take 2-3 years, will require test and ground course...
A 1500h of command will make a huge difference on everything and will open more doors.
On a meeting a few years ago they made it very clear that DEC are cheaper and a better option for them.
Food luck.
Only half a speed-brake
Let's face the reality. For a single EU LCC captain, moreover if relatively fresh, who is willing to move out for the career
the best option is
to go marry an American.
the best option is
to go marry an American.
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: stuttgart
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as many said the network and experience coming with it is great, the pax cheque looks tempting.
having said that the price you pay is enormous considering for what you give up to get in, especially when your family is not committed to it, it is way to big and at the end you will find out that your pay cheque is by far not big enough.
once the frustration sets in that you don’t get off as you want, and you start missing all family events back home you will still be bonded for at least another 3 years (pretty much the time where the gold looses its shine). At that point you will feel being trapped, and your hand full of command hours will have no value.
HR will promise you everything you want to hear to sign, will give you nothing in writing.
you are signing a contract where 2 manuals are part of your contract, which firstly you will not be able to see before signing, and secondly are objects of change (employee regulation and parts of the om/a - om/a where duty hours/over time/upgrade/fleet transfer etc is defined)
these rules are constantly broken, and changed afterwards to their needs, literally on the day.
even thou it says fast track command it can change into 5 years plus
it happens that people have been promised a fast track, and suddenly where transferred to another fleet, where suddenly a 1000 hour min on type rule popped up in the books and has been applied. Your fast track privilege has been lost at that time and you are back to square one. Considering the fact that new types (350/787) are coming in, this can was lil happen to everyone, rules to be applied are the big unknown, as it is depending on the sugar and morning fart of AAR.
your consent to changes of your contract is not needed, as you consent by opening the letter of contract change by simply opening it. Funny enough even you click “abort” and the doc is not opened you have given your consent.
with 1500 hrs command there are some vary attractive jobs across Europe, yes not with the same salary put very attractive by terms of pay versus work life balance
just be careful what you wish for.
Short of - the desert is either you life their or you go broke - especially if you have family and they keep waiting for you at home - because they won’t do it forever
Last edited by flyTheBigFatLady; 18th Oct 2022 at 07:38.
Join Date: Aug 2021
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@dirk85 you forgot to mention the largest one 
To my understanding working for EK you can go home 1-2 times per year while working for QR you can go home every month or two. Dubai more fun etc
regarding EK, do i get it correct or they also do give 4-6 days in a row off per month so i can go home/relax with family?
And if yes, do they allow to split anual leave in small blocks or not?
i love dubai but i dont know if they give you many days off per month in a row .
PS my home is like 5h away from dubai. Commuting while working in LLC takes me way more than 5h and still not burnt out.
To my understanding working for EK you can go home 1-2 times per year while working for QR you can go home every month or two. Dubai more fun etc
regarding EK, do i get it correct or they also do give 4-6 days in a row off per month so i can go home/relax with family?
And if yes, do they allow to split anual leave in small blocks or not?
i love dubai but i dont know if they give you many days off per month in a row .
PS my home is like 5h away from dubai. Commuting while working in LLC takes me way more than 5h and still not burnt out.
EK - you won’t get small chunks get granted
you will get 2 small junks granted and this your annual leave than.
you can not attach off days to your leave - you can put it into the system put will be removed by manual roaster intervention.
EK also frequently uses off days of your request as legal off days to a ULR which require acclimatization - this interferes your return to base - in other words if you are 5h away from Dxb 5 off days become effectively only 2,5 to 3 depending how you manage to catch the flights.
max bid for of days is 5 in a row, granted usually only in top or second top bid. EK has six bid groups so you are only every 6 month in either group. So go and figure how many times you will get your request.
lastly there should be mentioned the reserve month, which is effectually 5 weeks in a row where you go nowhere except to your residence, as every day at 6pm the roaster change for next day or 2 will be published. Sometimes hard to have a beer in those days.
Not to mention that a reserve day during that month can change into a sim support, which easily happens, when training demand is exceptional high, and exact this sim support can change your career entirely, because if the guy you support fails, it brings your progress in jeopardy.
again - forget commuting
Last edited by flyTheBigFatLady; 18th Oct 2022 at 07:28.
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Join Date: Oct 2022
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I have got only 500h PIC on the 737. I understand working in emirates wont make me reach but its 3 times the sallary i make at the moment and i have to commute and rent house in 2 countries. That pretty much means since i became captain i have to use money from my pocket to work on the lhs....
Join Date: Aug 2021
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I have got only 500h PIC on the 737. I understand working in emirates wont make me reach but its 3 times the sallary i make at the moment and i have to commute and rent house in 2 countries. That pretty much means since i became captain i have to use money from my pocket to work on the lhs....
Norse 787 command or
dhl direct entry command
discover and euroqings won’t work because they need airbus rating
Only half a speed-brake
Join Date: Oct 2017
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After all that people wrote about qr if you're not from the east side of the globe and still is considering this place, I'd recommend you to come and regret it by yourself. Like many including myself did many years ago.
Join Date: Jun 2013
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if you speak German, they said German has been removed, but the application form is in German and when you go to the assessment in Berlin you find yourself struggling with test in German language, including the personality one.
