Doha Housing
 

Can anyone give me an objective opionion on the cost of housing in Doha and the realities of life on the 330 fleet.
Cheers

right on the most sensitive point here in doha:the accomodation problem!
Today if you join Q.A. and if you need a decent villa for your family, you will have to spend a MINIMUM of 3000euros or 4000 U$ almost Half of F/O 330 salary!With a captain salary it will be slightly less painfull: this is NOT an objective opinion, this is the reality!
During the interview you may be promised to receive an company accomodation but until you see it and get it don`t thrust it!Again this is not an objective opinion, that´s the reality.

Life on a 330 fleet(probably the worst): Roster will spoil your private life, a lot of change, no fix roster, you may be roster for two long haul night flight separated by minimum rest!!Roster Mafia doesn´t have any clue of safety, But of course don´t be afraid to refuse any last minute change if you think it´s not safe.Your days off may be cancelled if you are lucky they will be posponed.
Again and without being negative, i think in my humble opinion i´m relatively close to the reality.
But wait and see, maybe some of my collegues will come with different point of view...:hmm:
Cheers.

Not that it would amount to anything, but wouldn't AFAP / BALPA / ALPA / ALPO :p / jump at a cause such as this, even if it isn't in their jurisdiction?

It's PATHETIC how human factors are forgotten once you are behind The Wall of Sand...

Thanks for the replys guys. Keep em coming. I'm just not sure if the shiney new jet is worth the hassle.
cheers.

ALL OF THE ABOVE IS TRUE, DON'T FALL FOR PROMISES. MANY PILOTS HAVE GONE TO DIFFERENT MANAGERS,CHIEF PILOTS, GMFO TO SEEK FOR HELP, AND NO HELP OR ANSWER HAS BEEN RECEIVED.
NOWADAYS THE LANDLORDS WILL NOT GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO
RENEW YOUR CONTRACT, THEY JUST KICK YOU OUT, ASSUMIG "LEGAL" REASONS, AND AS THEY TOLD ONE CAPTAIN..."NO QR PILOT CAN AFFORD MY VILLAS", BY THE WAY IS TRUE........:confused: , AND LAW FOR EX PATS IN QATAR IS A ONE WAY ROAD PACKED BY MANY LAND CRUISERS

The Facts
 

Here is a link to the classifieds for housing in Doha (http://www.gulf-times.com/mritems/st...4759_1_255.pdf ). Please be aware that many landlords are now asking for up to 12 months rent paid in advanced in cash. If you only want to pay 6 months in advance they will add up to 1000QR/month to the rent or for 3 months up to 2000QR/month.
For info total pay (Captain) for an 80 hour month is about 42,000QR plus overnight allowance (this includes housing allowance).
Current company provided accommodation is less than desirable, has caused many marital problems and is turning into a ghetto like living situation (Large families of up to six living in small 2 and 3 bedroom apartments because they are unable to find suitable affordable accommodation).
There are many positives and negatives to living and working here in Qatar. Here is a link to a post I made almost 3 years ago- many things remain unchanged since then (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=117205 ).
Good luck and remember it is what you make it here in Doha. Make an informed decision and live with it. Please don’t think it is something that it is not then spend 10 hours in a cockpit complaining to me how bad the company treats you- it will fall on deaf ears…it is your choice, choose wisely and live with your decisions like a man.

Remember ask the hard questions and ask for proof (contract in writing) of any promises made at your interview.

let's be realistic....there is a lot of negatives points and a few positives points!
Optimistic people would say: "it could be worse....."

wee one, hi there.
Housing is THE issue here. As a new joiner you certainly wont have the overview about what's going on and where to look and to ask. I know people they made good deals and I know they made bad once. A lot depends on your ability and patience. One thing is for sure, the quality of the properties goes down if you wanna pay only the housing allowances. Most probably you will have to rent a flat up to 8000 QAR ( could be fully furnished if you pulled the lucky number slevin;) ) If you're single you can share accommodation and save some backs. If you decide to come, try t avoid agencies (though it's hard to do) they the once driving the prices up. Talk to the land lord straight even if with hands, still works. As far as complaining concerns all depends on your position. If, F/o, just play the game of the old man and forget everything after good morning after check out. Capt, no worries I'll be all ears for 50 QAR/hour.;) Just kidding.
Cheers.

Don't do it
 

Wee one, dee nah do it son. The life on the 320 is 50 hrs block, 130 hrs duty - you only get paid for rostered block ie exceed the rostered, you don't get paid the extra, rarely go under block. Rostering, as you will have read in other posts, is nojoke. Step out of line and wham they got ya. Generally, means you are away from the house (although back most nights) for a long time but get paid 10,000 QAR a month less than the 330 guys (they deserve every cent they get, as do we) The initial outlay to get set up can be 60,000+ QAR (not including extra for house rental). A car may cost you 2,500 a month for five years depending on the make. Other airlines in the area are getting payrises and we get rumours. Inflation here for 2005 was around 13% and this year 9% mainly driven by housing prices, but of course that will drop now after the games.......

Thanks for the replies guys.. Ive decided not to accept the contract.
Too many bridges to burn for too many variables. Maybe in the future Inshallah.
Shukuran:ok:

Wise decision not to come to Q.A. :ok:
:D
Try Emirates or Etihad, maybe they are not "5 stars airline":ugh: but definitely a better place to work!!
I´m gone finalised my CV For one of them tomorrow..

Forget Qatar look @ the UAE
 

Loc22550 and Mountain. You have hit the nail on the head. When I left I was promised an increase in housing with in 2 months, it was all lies! Forget Qatar Airways and stick to one of the 4 airlines in the Emirates. Even start up RAK Airways offers a much better deal than QR, and whats more the housing is on a 5 star beach resort and is included in the contract. Most (but not all) of the Emirates villas are great too and Etihad is getting better now with the new CEO sorting out some corruption in section that alocated the housing.

By the way Qatar might be 5 star from the pax point of view but it gets a minus factor from the employees point of view. Etihad, Emirates and RAK are at least 4 star from the Employee point of view when you compare the rest. Yet to find the perfect company.

Forget Qatar
 

My two buddies who are still in Qatar back up fully what has been said here. Main problems in Qatar are the constant rising of the rent, constant lies from managment and the lack of Expat managment, they are both going to leave! In fact most Managment positions have been filled with Indians if there was not a local for the job. Take the A330 fleet boss as an example. If you are rated on the Bus or 777 try Etihad and if rated on the 737 or 757 / 767 try RAK Airways. Forget Qatar it will only get worse.

Yes...thinks will only get worse here..i´m afraid..Have been here for long time, long enough to notice that thinks NEVER improved here, but getting worse and worse..and i don´t see why suddenly think would improve in Q.A...
Was probably a little bit naive to still have some hopes here!

No Rooster? Did someone kill the chicken?:eek: I hope it was halal.
eid mubarak

fujairah aviation academy
 

Does any body know any thing about Fujairah aviation academy as i will start for CPL soon and my age is 28 is it ok for me to start in that age or i am too old for it.
also I would like to know if i finish it there I will get the chance to work in etihad or emirates as ab intiou pilot.

thanks
qatar dream

Another idiotic housing policy in Q.A. is that if you are new joiner today and if you are lucky you may receive an accomodation from the company....while people who have been here for long time have to struggle with their skinny house allowance and pay from their pocket in order to find a decent accomodation,... this allowance should have been doubled long time ago!!!!:ugh:
No wonder why people are leaving,.. just another evidence of the total incapacity of dealing with human in this company.

Doha Housing
 

Hi Q Ace,
The housing problem is unnderstood but what does the A330 fleet boss have to do with rising rents. Was under the impression he did a good job on the A320 and was making changes on the A330 for the better.:D :confused:

Indeed S.S. as a vey competent pilot did a good job and i think still doing it...Really he deserve to be where he is today...:ok: