Hi All,

I'm one of the hordes contemplating going to Qatar from Thomson, due to redundancy. I got a few questions that I'm after being answered for both myself and the wife. Useful answers only please, its not a debate about whether to go or not! Also, some of the questions may seem trivial, but like I said there for both me and the Missus!

1. If Ain Khalid is full (or nearly) where are the new families going? How is the accommodation,(size and standard) plus is there any outdoor space?
2. Does Ain Khalid take dogs (specifically do Qatar allow you dogs in the family accomodation)?
3. Is there anywhere to walk dogs near the compound or is it the beach for a run?
4. What do you guys spend per month on living? (I've seen quotes on other sites, are these correct etc)
5. Whats the worst thing about Qatar for yourselves and your wives?
6. Whats the average pay per month B777? I realise this varies depending on trips.
7. Is there a dress code for the ladies, we realise that there are obviously some things to show respect, but is there anything in particular?
8. Hows family life in general? We will have a newborn (our first) if we go.

As I said, some may seem trivial, but these are things we haven't been able to find out yet.

Either post or PM's are appreciated,

Cheers,
SW

Skywriter1
 

Here are some answers to your post.

1. Single FOs are being moved out of Ain Khalid Gate to make room for families here. Alternatively, if you are joining as a captain then you could be allocated a villa in Al Markhiya or '18' or the 'Pink Villas' compound.

2. Yes.

3. Nowhere within walking distance. Some people walk their dogs around the compound, but it's not ideal.

4. Varies too much depending on my roster to give a useful answer.
The cost of living here is comparable to the UK.

5. I'm not married, but for me the lack of entertainment is the most frustrating aspect of living here - boredom!

6. Don't know. Not on the 777 fleet.

7. There don't seem to be any hard and fast rules, more a case of not causing offense to the locals. Skirts to be knee length or longer. Shoulders should be covered.

8. Not a family man, so don't know.

Thanks very much Linerider,

Some useful info there.
Would any B777 drivers (particularly F/O's) like to add any comments?

Its a big step and we just want to be prepared!

SW

Skywriter
 

Congrats on the job. I'm a new hire FO on 777 still in training at the moment; just to add to what Linerider has already said; it seems to be a good place for a family, Doha is a very safe city and there are alot of families with small children in the compound. There is a very nice clubhouse inside Ain Khalid with 4 swimming pools, very nice gym, coffee shop and restaurant and a really nice shopping mall close by. The driving WILL get some getting used to and I haven't experienced a Summer here in the desert yet but I hear it can get close to 50C.
I've seen women wearing short skirts and shorts and it doesn't seem to be an issue. My family will be joining me soon and I have no second thoughts about us moving here. Anyway hope the info helps.

Cheers!!

I am well aware of the hour requirements on the Qatar Airways website but I am really interested in what will be competitive in the current market! I have 2500 hours on the 737 and about 2800TT. For those guys who have recently been hired on the 777, I would be really interested in how many hours you had . I am guessing that some of the FO's from Thomson may have similar hours to me if they were recruited as low hours pilot straight from flight school.

Many thanks in advance for any constructive info.

Big Neon Glitter
Is that my fault?:confused: Or should I not ask about a possible future job and its family arrangements. I'm sorry for the 320 guys, but not accepting a job there wont change that by the sounds of it

Skywriter,

Welcome to Qatar Airways!

If you've been on this board, you are aware that there is a small, albeit noisy group of individuals who are constantly stirring up ****e.

If it's not about their inability to change fleets, which you and I have nothing to do with, then it's "alphabet soup" gossip talking about what ABC did to QRX after talking to TUV that was heard from the cabin cleaner in LHR.

Best bet, ignore them. You probably will never know who they are talking about, so don't even try. It's not worth the effort.

On the subject of attire. The attire in Ain Khalid is not necessarily acceptable elsewhere. You will see expats in the malls in shorts and women with bare shoulders but that doesn't make it "acceptable".

The general rule of thumb my family use when venturing outside the compound is long pants and shirts with sleeves(long or short) for men, slacks or dresses below the knee and shoulders covered for women.

Welcome, and good luck!!:ok:

No worries Guys,

Thanks for the advice, BNG, I see you point, fair enough. I haven't even applied yet, filling in the form as I type, but I wanted all the info before I apply so I dont waste their time. As you may well know, there is a fairly big ex-Thomson group heading your way and most of the info i.e. fleet has come from them, so I may even get the A320, which to be honest is fine with me also! I'm married with my first baby on the way so its a doubly big change in life for me - all info is greatfully recieved.

Captain O - This IS PPRUNE after all, I should of known better. :ok:

SW

Big Neon Glitter

Quote:

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Its good to see, qualified, airline experienced, CRM oriented Pilots come this way

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Unfortunately They will not stay, the only guys that might be around for a bit are those over or nearing 60, as they can comfortably fly until 65 here. The rest will be gone to a job or in some cases even leave to no job. Those who have no choice or financially strapped might be around a little longer, but this is not a place to be for any length of time.
Take it from a guy who has been here too long already :ugh:

I have learned that getting bigger does not run hand-in-hand with getting better. Hey !?! I guess size doesn't matter :}

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

:{:{:{:{:{:{:{:{:{:{:{

Tziganul

Nice job, very good information for those how wish to come out to the desert. i'm surprised that you could retain all that info. I'm sure that tech quiz will be in the bin very soon :}

flyboy1972

what goes around comes around little man. Some of you new kids on the block have allot to learn about this place. I know the B777 is a bit of a holiday fleet these days (a nice change) but it WILL catch up to the rest in short time, as did the A330 on it's first addition. When it does you wont be so quick to laugh at others, you'll be to busy crying yourself.:mad:

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

Capt Krunch,

I have been trying to get an interview with QR for over 18 months now. Last yaer February they emailed to give a interview date and then I never heard from them, nither got any reply from HR. I have 3600 hours with 2500 on Jets (B737, CL604 and C550/560). Do you know if they are still reqruiting or should I just forget about it?

Fayz76.

fayz76

for certain we are still hiring and have been for years now. in nearly a decade it has never stopped.

so dont give up if you really want to come out here.

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

target acquired
 

Hey Krunch:

You seem to be the mystical oracle with all the good 'gin' at QR. What do you think the landscape looks like for a 50ish former 777 driver (established Operator), 2.0k hrs each seat, been all the usual places north, south, east and west? Money's all gone man, global financial crisis and all that...

Winton,

Not Krunch, when did you last fly?

When did you last fly the 777?

DEC's are not currently being screened by Pilot Recruitment. Some Dec's have been in recent classes, however, they were screened last year.

Hope this helps.

Winton

We have and will still hire Pilots who are nearing 60 yrs as the limit here in Qatar is 65yrs. although it sound as if you have a vast aviation back ground it will all boil down to being semi current and able to make it all the way thru the screening process.

At present the B777 fleet has a over supply of candidates for the left seat. BUT that being said, one constant in QA is change. What is now is not tomorrow.

This place is not for everyone, just keep that in mind

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

Captain Orix

777 DECs are definetely being screened at the moment.
Just been there.

SO program
 

hi guys,

does anybody here know of any imminent plans for another SO program for non-Qataris like the last one they did approx one year ago?

thanks

Captain Krunch/Orix,

Thxs for the feedback... currently fly classic Boeing .. Last time on 777 about 3 years ago...

I hear what you say about it not being for everyone ... know about that brother.. caused me one wife!! .. when you're hunting, need to go where you find the food though...

Masallama or however you spell it.

GREAT NEWS!

I stand corrected, thanks for the update.:ok:

Good luck!

Winton,
Should be no problem. Have you sent in an app?

Anyone get many 'days off' (as in part of your 8/month) down route? Is this common practice. If one were flying the 330 would this happen more regularly than the 320 fleet? Anyone care to say how much they spend a month compared to what they spent in the uk for a vaguely similar lifestyle. does anyones spouse also work in doha but not with the airline? many questions... sorry but any answers greatly appreciated.

Any spouses have any advice for my wife about life out there (I sense some fear/hostility/I hate airlines/I love bbqs and sunshine emotions! are there any pictures of the main compound anywhere?
cheers

Is it a show stopper if one is not current?
 

I have plugged in an application for A320 FO. It was about 3 weeks ago. I have FAA ATP, 3200 total, 1700jet mostly ERJ, and about 350 on the Airbus. I realize most folks have more. What is worse is that I am not current, and have not flown the bus for 1.5 years, and have not flown period for about a year. I will get current this summer... well... may be.

Anyways I got an email back in about two days that asked me to fill out an excel sheet that is identical to the online application. I have done that promptly. Any chance that I will get a call being not current?

EDIT: I have been getting some PMs asking if I have heard of QR. I have not and I don't think I will. The email response from them, was just a regular email with their application form. I think they send that to anyone who approaches them via email, instead of filling the online application.

huncowboy

First off. yes you might still be in contention

second

Quote:

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I got an email back that asked me to fill out an excel sheet.

---

doesn't that tell you that your still in the big spinning wheel ?

it's when you hear nothing for a very long time that you should be thinking the worst, or lucky, depends on your point of view of course.:}

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

Thanks Krunch! I was just trying to see if anyone has gotten a call who has not been current on the plane. 1.5 years of no jet flying is kind of long for most companies. Especially nowadays that 320 drivers are available.

What happens in first week at Qatar
 

Hi Guys,

i'm just about to start with Qatar on the B777 being one of the many made redundant in the UK by GSM.

Can anyone give some idea of what happens in the first few weeks.

i.e.the 150kg allowance to transport you belongings, is it checked in at the airport, or does a freight forwarder pick it up from your home.

What happens when you arrive in Doha, trip for visa, medical, ID pass, ground school for Qatar CAA licence conversion.... etc etc etc

appreciate it if anyone can enlighten me.

also any pics of inside of Ain Khalid Gate typical 3 bed apt.

Good luck to all my fellow GSM ers off to Qatar and to the rest of the Thomsonfly / BMI ers

:ok:

huncowboy

Quote:

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Especially nowadays that 320 drivers are available.

---

yes you have a valid point. But think about this. Only those in dire straights or desperate come to this place to fly the sub-continent / inter-gulf Bus (A320) so that greatly narrows down the pack of available pilots for the A320 :cool:

not to mention that some A320 pilots are being hired on the A330 as well. Given a CCQ. it all just depends on the needs of the company at the time. It changes by the minute.

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

Off topic but interesting reading for anyone coming out here:

http://www.pprune.org/middle-east/40...r-airways.html

Qatar? Be warned

HFS:uhoh:

Applying again...
 

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if QR would consider my application as F/O for any fleet althoug I failed 3 years ago in the simulator?

Have you ever heard form anyone such a thing...

thanks

HFS

Are you actually out "here" or are you the same HFS who posted on 26 Jan that they had a summer contract to go to in the Jet2 jobs thread (post#315 FWIW)? If you are stirring the pot without personal knowledge it isn't particularly helpful. There's enough chaff to go through on this thread already. :suspect:

HS

All you guys taking the A330 and 777, though its not your fault, your jumping ahead of 300 A320 pilots who have been waiting years for a fleet transfer.The same thing will happen to you when the 380/350/787 come and they offer people off the street those seats instead of internal transfers.

Had the same problem. Email them your CV and cover. They will send you an excel form back. Looks exactly like the PDF. That you can save and send back.

If you don't have excel than go and download a non adobe reader for free. Some lite ones will let you save PDFs. I just downloaded one and no more adobe updates, and it loads faster, and it will let you save. I will look up the name of that.

[email protected]

general email from their website

For job applications,

You can fill in the form but not save it. We were advised to fill it in on the computer, print it and then scan it. Save it as a PDF (using tinypdf as there email can only handle 5mb apparently) and then send it. You could also print it, then post it. It seems like a rather inefficient system I suppose (no comments from the schoolboys at the back! :}:ok::E

SW

Just get a free PDF software other than adobe. You will be able to save it. I think I have PDX Xclone, the free edition and it lets me. I have to double check it though.

I applied for a DEC position last year and just heard from Qatar:

I have lots of quality time with a major airline but have not flown for 18 months. If I ever meet the men who caused the Great Financial Crisis I will ...............

Yes, thats the reason. I went all the way to Doha to discover I was wasting my time.

Its a GCAA thing apparently.

Harry:ugh:

Another pointless post.

Yes I am that very same person and what difference does it make?
Coming out here/there again what difference does it make? get your head out your a*** man!!! its a yorkshire isam.
I like yourself, am trying to get to Doha, which is exactly why i think people should read all the information available to them before making a decision.

Good luck to all who have applied.

HFS:ok:

Someone asked about joining cargo etc. You will need an approval letter from QR Human Resources that you need to present to QR Cargo at your port of departure (can be scanned and emailed). They will guide you on packing etc. I guess you can do it when you depart for Doha but it can be done anytime after you've been accepted for employment. Your joining coordinator will help you.

Once you are here, it is organized chaos, lots of paperwork, but it all gets done in the end.

HFS

Well is it going to stop you coming out.......probably not, so why post it? :hmm: As I said, there's enough of it already on this thread so wouldn't it be better sticking to relevant stuff?

Anyway, doesn't a job with yorkshire airways appeal? :E

HS:ok:

Maybe see you out (t)here soon :}