Harry

Yep had enough Yorkshire puddings and Tetley's at Yorkshire Airlines to last me a life time!!:}

Good luck and might see you out here:O

HFS:ok:

What are the chances to get invited for an interview at the moment.I have 6500h total,6200 737NG and about 3300 PIC 737NG.If yes,which fleet is possible?
Please only use full info

Capt. Krunch,
You seem to have a reasonable and objective opinion about QA and life there...
Maybe you can help:
I'm considering joining QA as DEC 320 as this will prob be the last chance for me and the Boss(see "wife") to have an adventure before settling in for the long road to retirement.At the mom I have a steady job with a stable carrier with nice salary and pension, but would take unpaid leave for a few years for the change of scenery and try something different...
I'm hoping to experience a nice lifestyle(with warmer temp's and great ID priviliges) and good salary while flying some interesting routes.
I understand, there has been a lot of negative posts about QA, but would appreciate an honest and objective opinion not just from Capt Krunch, but anyone "in the know".
So basically, if I keep my head down, keep my opinions to my self while outside the home and follow the rules, will I have a worthwhile experience or should I just stay put?

namrepus

well as long as you have a good plan B, which it looks like you would if you keep your present position and seniority with your airline.

Yes it would be a nice and very different experience. the routes on the A320 are not so interesting but in general the airline flies to some very interesting destination (i.e. Kathmandu and the like). ID benefits will take you anywhere but most routes operate heavy.
in the end if nothing else, you might just end up with a bit more money for what you do and a better appreciation for what you have back home.
Give it a try, you really have nothing to loose, you might even get on the A330 depending on the need at the time. but remember.. for some it's not an easy road out here. your plan B will be your saving grace if find yourself thinking... what have I done !! :sad:

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

True
Thanks Krunch
"N"

777 instrument proficiency check prior to interview?
 

I just got my invite for the end of March 2010. I have not flown the 777 or any aircraft since 2005. The fact of my non-currency should be obvious from my QR application. I did not think that I had a chance, being non-current on anything, but apparently I do have a shot.

I am 55, so too old for FO. I applied for 777 DEC Capt. I Am typed in 777 but FAA type has limitation of P.I.C. in cruize flight only. This limitation was also plain on my application. I learned that GCAA will not grant a Qatari certificate based on another country's certificate (USA) FAA that has more privileges than my existing certificate. I expect that this would require a full 777 type rating Captain course, which is fine, by me, since I have not flown in 4.5 years.

I was considering buying some 777 sim time to get an instrument proficiency check and get my landings current.

Time Traveler, we did exchange PMs about your QR interview & you said they told you that the candidate had to "...have a current IR (LPC) PRIOR to starting a type rating course."

If I get a 777 instrument proficency check on my own, prior to the interview, I hope QR would not expect me to pass their Captain check ride with no training, especially with me being so rusty.

:confused:

ericthewellread

you will be wasting your time and money for no good reason, this is NOT that kind of airline. If QA wants you they will take care of the training. QA has a fully certified TRTO facility and they do type ratings everyday for al fleets.

Quote:

---

I am 55, so too old for FO

---

dont be so sure, we have plenty of F/O hired over 55 and many on line F/O's over that age as well.
Having not flown in so many years I would surely make it clear on what seat you might be hired for. Knowing this airline as I do with the present changes it might be more likely you get a right seat position, but then again I cannot comment fairly as I do not know your level of experience compared to the rest.
One this for sure, paying for a currency rating will not help you as they are more than willing to take care of that if your successful anyway.

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

Namrepus:
Indeed,In a case like you, and if it's for a limited period, and as you don't have to worry about the future,pension..(Q.R doesn't have any pension plan,and no salary increase for senior pilot(>5 years in their respective grade):ugh:)feel free..join us and enjoy the experience&new destinations.
And if you don't have kids you might even save some money...:)

Oops i almost forgot the most important think:don't forget to close your jacket and to put you hat while on duty and in view of the public ...otherwise a warning letter is waiting for you if the chief catches you...:hmm:

Capt Krunch,

I'll happily defer to your knowledge as you're there on the spot. But I can tell you my experience which was -

In the introdutory brief, one of the slides clearly states that to be eligible for selection, a current IR is needed. I raised an eyebrow, as I knew my application showed I was not current, but I left it to the interview to bring it up. When I did, that was pretty much the end of the interview. I explained that I would be current the moment I step out of the sim from the 777 LPC, but it got me no where. They said it was not at the discretion of the company, but the GCAA made that rule. They seemed surprised I had slipped through and ended up at Doha.

So either they have no noticed the lack of currency...

or as seems more likely, rules become negotiable when faced with a highly experienced and type rated candidate; I wasn't rated on 3X0 or 777, not current and relatively light on hours compared to some.

If it were me, and I really wanted the job (I didn't); I would renew my 777 LPC beforehand, and then Eric would have an absolute shoe-in. He might be OK otherwise, but quite possibly a panel member will shake his head, and that will be that - Back to the pool for a couple of days. (Nothing wrong with that - QR looked after me really well, J class seats, hotel, nice food, friendly folk - Sure beats having to fork out for travel to DXB for EK)

Time Traveller

Thats all very good information, and yes QA usually looks after your travel on our network.

with regards to the Type rating. we do and have hired many non typed guys here and continue to do so, BUT being out of currency can have an affect with QCAA. I'm not the official speaker of the airline of course, i can only speak from experience as I have seen guys who were out of currency get hired here. In recent months the QCAA has changed allot of the policies towards the airline as we have embarked on specific long haul and Ultra Long Haul (ULR) flights, not to mention Cat IIIb approval and a few other items causing the QCAA to give the airline a fine tuning. having said that it could be quite possible that they have also implemented some restrictions with regards to new candidate approvals. My comments to ericthewellread assumes he has a vast amount of PIC time on the B777 but no longer current, this would require QA to send a letter to the QCAA for approval, it's quite simple really. But, as in all things here, the airline is in a constant mode of change. what is now is not tomorrow.:cool:

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch

Hi all

This maybe a daft question but I've filled the application in electronically but i am unable to attach a picture to the pdf document.
Did those of you who filled it in electronically just attach a jpg image to your email or did you manage to actually attach it to the pdf document?

Thanks in advance.

HFS:ok:

just google something like "how to insert pics in pdf" and you will find lots of programs who will do just that. Found one for mac as well.:8

HFS

Attaching a JPG to the e-mail works well enough.

HS

Cheers guy's, application has been sent.

HFS:ok:

777 instrument proficiency check prior to interview?
 

Capt Krunch,

Thank you for your response.
I have about 15,000 total time,
2629 narrow body P.I.C. (Fokker-100),
2152 on B-777 as FO. Of the 2152, 672 was as P1 U/S (Cruise Capt.)
This would be when the designated Captain was out of the cockpit & I was the PIC in his stead.
So, no designated PIC 777 time as Commander. I do have over 4400 as Boeing 727, 757, 767 FO.

All this experience may or may not make me attractive as 777 DEC to QR. It does exceed their stated minimums for DEC. Apparently it was good enough to be called to an interview.

My concern was in showing up for the interview being non-current on anything & then being sent home because QR or the GCAA could not let me start their training because I was non-current.

Buying 777 sim time will be very expensive & I don’t have the money, so I don’t want to have buy my own instrument proficiency check, but if being non-current really is a barrier to beginning QR training, as Time Traveler’s interview experience suggests, then that is why I raise the question here, to others that might know the answer.

There are thousands of pilots world wide who have now been unemployed for so long, that their currency has lapsed. This makes them (and me) unqualified to even be considered for an interview with virtually every employer I have looked at. QR was unique, in that currency was not a stated requirement, (unlike Emirates, who now state: "All applicants must be current within the last 12 months prior to the date of joining." The fact that currency on type (or currency on any type) was not a QR requirement, may have been an unintentional oversight, as they may actually require it, if what they told Time Traveler also applies to everyone else, I.E. "...have a current IR (LPC) PRIOR to starting a type rating course." In my online search for the relevant GCAA regulation, I have not found any such reference to it being a requirement to being current prior to starting training. Perhaps someone else knows which section is being referred to.

On the Flying Experience page of the application, it does have blocks for "Date of Last Flight," so the lack of currency should be obvious to employment personnel, but who knows?

I am sure you know more about such matters.

If what you said is true: "...One this for sure, paying for a currency rating will not help you as they are more than willing to take care of that if your successful anyway." Then that would be great, as it would save me from spending money that I don’t have!

ericthewellread :)
　

speaking of the application form...

when i fill it out, and save it, all my text disappears! how are you guys emailing it?

Hi!

I bought a relatively inexpensive program that lets me edit and save edited versions of .pdf files. There have been a number of applications I have been working on that are going the .pdf route.

cliff
NBO

Hi.

Ericthewellred:

There is an EK poster who is very well known that states the same 12 month currency policy for EK. It is NOT that Emirates desires you to be current during the past 12 mos., but that the GCAA makes it a requirement, and I believe they are the same CAA that governs Qatar, Bahrain, etc.

So, I would either get current, or find out DEFINITIVELY before you show up, so you don't just waste your time.

I did my Kenya CAA conversion, and a LOT of stuff makes no sense at all...like the fact that you clearly spelled out your situation, but maybe no one bothered to read it at all before the interview invite!!!

cliff
NBO

Hi all, getting a bit desperate for a few quick answers if anyone has a spare moment?

Can any one confirm whether some of your 8 days off are allocated whilst outside of Doha? Does happen regularly or is it rare?

As an FO with a family is it true I will end up being given a 2 bed appartment?
many thanks.

jaarrgh
 

As for your question about days off, it depends what fleet you are on. If you are on the A330, you can expect to frequently be allocated some of your days off down-route. The A320 does not do so many over-nights, so you'll have most of your days off at home. I don't know about the 777 fleet.

As an FO you will be put in a two or three bedroom apartment, most likely in Ain Khalid Gate.

How is the pay scales in QR...in HR and Admin?
 

Been recently offered a position at QR but I believe the pay scale is very low. More over I'm of a managerial level and the package offered is much lower..hence I'd have to step down on my title and pay. Unfortunately, time is of the essence right now..with the bad job market this seems to be the only positive response.
Is there really scope for growth in QR or would I be making a big mistake. Thanks..:confused:

If your Indian, youll fit right in. If your westerner then forget it.

Sheesh..
 

QR must be filled with Indians then! Sad, though..that they pay so low..wouldn't have expected it from such a 5 star airline

does anybody know what the rosters are like on the 330?

what destinations they fly to? how hard do they work ? do they force you to take days off down route ?

cheers

BIGBAD
 

For an FO on the A330 it is very busy at the moment as so many FOs left recently; you could expect to fly around 90 hours a month. As for captains it is getting busier due to the FO shortage - they are flying captains with captains.

The A330 has the greatest number of destinations of any fleet here:
Middle East, Africa, Asia, Far East and Europe. Most flights will be layovers. Generally 24 hour layovers with some up to 48 hours.

As I previously mentioned on this page, you will be allocated some of your days off down-route. You don't get any choice in the matter.

Requirements For Entry To Training
 

I was looking in the wrong place, as the authority for Qatar is the QCAA not the GCAA.

http://www.caa.gov.qa/images/laws/QCAR-FCL%201%20SEPT%2006.pdf

The relevant QCAA regulations are pasted below:


QCAR-FCL 1.240 -Type and Class Ratings - Requirements
(See Appendices 1 to 3 to QCAR-FCL 1.240)
(a)
General
(5)
A valid type rating contained in a licence issued by an ICAO Contacted State may be transferred to a QCAR-FCL licence, subject to the appropriate proficiency check, provided the applicant is in current flying practice and has not less than 500 hours flying experience as a pilot on that type, provided QCAR-FCL 1.250, 1.251. 1.255 or 1.260 as applicable, are met.
　
　
　
Appendix 1 to QCAR-FCL 1.020 & 1.050 - Minimum requirements for the issue of QCAR – FCL licence/ratings for Qatar Qualified Service Pilots
a)
An applicant for QCAR – FCL Licence/Rating shall comply with requirement as set out in the table below:
Licence sought
ATPL(A)
Required Experience
1.
Current flying practice: 12 hours within the last 12 months
2.
> 1500 flying hours as P1.
3.
Meets the requirements of QCAR-FCL 1.280
　
Appendix 2 to QCAR-FCL 1.055- Type Rating Training Organisations for the Issue of type ratings only to pilot licence holders [or associated instructor ratings / authorisations for TRI, SFI or MCCI
　

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO TRAINING
24.
The TRTOs shall be responsible for ensuring that trainees meet at least the pre-requisite conditions for type rating training as set out in QCAR-FCL 1.250.


QCAR-FCL 1.250 - Type Rating, Multi-Pilot- Conditions
(See AMC FCL 1.261(d))
(See Appendix 1 to QCAR – FCL 1.261(d))
(See Appendix 1 to QCARFCL1.261 (d))
(See Appendix 1 to QCARFCL1.520 & 1.525)
(a)
Pre-requisite conditions for training: An applicant for the first type rating course for a multi- pilot aeroplane type shall:
(1)
(i)
have at least 70 hours as pilot-in-command of aeroplanes;
(ii)
have a valid multi-engine instrument rating (A);
(iii)
hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of multi-crew cooperation (MCC). If the MCC course is to be added to the type rating course (see QCAR-FCL1.261 and 1.262 and AMC FCL 1.261(d) and Appendix 1 to QCAR-FCL 1.261(d), this requirement is not applicable; and
(iv)
have met the requirements of QCAR-FCL 1.285, or
(2)
Be a student currently undergoing training on a MPL(A) integrated training course.]
(b)
Applicants having:
(1)
either a certificate of satisfactory completion of MCC in accordance with QCAR-FCL 2 and experience of more than 100 hours as a pilot of a multi-pilot helicopter, or
(2)
experience of more than 500 hours as a pilot on multi-pilot helicopter, or
(3)
experience of at least 500 hours as a pilot in multi-pilot operation in accordance with QCAR-OPS on single pilotaeroplanes QCAR/FAR 23 multi-engine aeroplanes, shall be considered to meet the requirements of MCC;
(c)
The level of knowledge assumed to be held by holders of the PPL(A) or CPL(A) and type ratings for multi-pilot aeroplanes issued under requirements other than QCAR–FCL will not be a substitute for showing compliance with the requirements of (4) above.
(d)
The issue of an additional multi-pilot type ratings requires a valid multi-engine instrument rating.

I am going to take a stab at answering my own question. My tentative answer to my question of, [does Qatar Airways require a candidate to be current prior to starting a type rating course ?] is yes, because of the QCAA regulations. Not necessarily current on type, but in current flying practice which apparently means "12 hours within the last 12 months." The only place I found where this term is defined is here:


AMC - FCL 1.020 - Credit for Military Service
b)
Current flying Status means the pilot has flown at least 12 hours in the last 12 months proceeding his/her licence application
　
　
The REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO TRAINING, the last item (d) "...requires a valid multi-engine instrument rating," it appears that for a multi-engine instrument rating to be valid, the pilot would have to have a current instrument proficiency check, on a multiengine airplane.

For my situation, having not flown any aircraft in 4.5 years, if I purchased 777 sim time & passed a FAA 61.58 PIC proficiency check, operation of aircraft requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember, that would take care of the valid multi-engine instrument rating. If this takes, say four hours, then I would need eight additional hours (in some aircraft) to have the minimum 12 hours within the last 12 months. The class of aircraft is not specified, so I don’t see why it could not be in a single engine Cessna.


Alternately, I could get an instrument proficiency check in a light twin, with the balance of the 12 hours in a single engine Cessna, & meet the requirements for starting a type rating course.

Yes, it would be best to get a definitive answer from QR, & I will attempt to do this via email to them, but their answer may not come, & I must make a decision soon.


Does anyone know if my plan to get current for the QR interview will work?


Ericthewellread
　
　
　

as far as i understand you get 7 days off a month. So if you get days off down route, you can constantly be away with no time back in Doha ?? or it is maybe just 1 or 2 days a month off down route ?

can you bid for trips or request certain trips ? what's it like trying to get days off or leave when you want it ?

BIGBAD;
-Most of your days off (7..8../month) will be in Doha.
-Sometime you might have 1..2 days off down the route..
-Yes you can bid for some particular trip/flight/layover..some of them are more popular than others so..more difficult to have it...(especially on 320!)
-Latest rumor is that you can only bid/have 3 days off in a row!Good news for people who want to get out of Doha and go home !:uhoh:
(simply because ONE "mistake" has been done..so the CEO has decided that EVERYBODY should pay for it: standard procedure in Q.R.!:ugh:).
-Leave..well keep your fingers crossed in order to have what you bid for..
especially as a new joiner,shouldn't be a problem if you are a senior crew.

loc
how many hours/month are you flying on the 320 and what about an average FO will fly on the same plane? thanks

My apologies eric; When I said GCAA, I meant QCAA.

I did suggest to them that I go home and quickly do a piston IRT to get current. All they said was 'hmmm' - Wasnt sure what to make of that. But remember you are in a much stronger position than I was.

ericthewellread

to be perfectly honest. If you told someone in the interview that you were current on a Cessna or some form of piston light twin I think it would get a good laugh. Do realize that the min req in the QCAA is just that. the min required to meet QCAA approval. unlike days gone by, today QA holds a higher standard than that of the QCAA min requirement and in doing so the QCAA are quite happy.

IMHO, if your that far lapsed and sure you can meet the technical part of the interview with ease, then get current in a sim. if you believe that you meet the standard, even if it means investing in yourself, and if you have a studied all.. then why not make the investment. there is no job guarantee but you just never know until you try. if all fails then at least your current and it was a interesting experience.

now some might argue that this place is not worth doing all that, but that opinion is left up to the individual.

Poisoned by compromise
Krunch

How inflexible are QR on the 6000 total/2000 Command requirement?

Current A320 Captain, but with a little less than these requirements.

Any ideas ladies/gents?

Many thanks....

stansdead

it's not flexible, not even by 1 hour.:=

if you left it to the pilots and pilots on the interview team i'm sure there would be a bit of flexibility. But the fact remains you are selected by the HR recruitment office for flight deck, they follow the company guide lines to the letter. Having said that, i'm sure there are plenty of guys who slipped thru the cracks in the past.
Best of luck, you never know unless you try.

Poisoned by compromise
Krunch

Bumba;
usually ..On A-320 we use to fly ..60..70 hours/month(you might double the figure for the duty time)..with "minimum" days off:..8.. days off/month.!
I'm sure the guys flying 330 having ..15 days off/month make more money than us....
Is this fair.....??!:=
Welcome to the 320..!

Krunch....
 

I think I get the picture!! Cheers!!

Loc thanks, and don't get me wrong but I wish I was there!

Do the 330 guys do both trips 2-4 days and 'there and back' days? BNG and Linerider any thoughts?

320 Rosters and latest info on assessments
 

Hi,
I will be coming to Doha in the coming weeks. Any info on the latest assessments and what the 320 rosters are like:)

Angleofattack320

I see your a probationary ppruner .. but do us all a favor and use the SEARCH function to find your answer as this topic has been covered no less than a million times :ugh:

Poisoned by Compromise
Krunch