The sandbox must be awesome!!!

[Golden Falcon]

Kinda like the military..stiff rules, you know 'em before you join...nobody is drafted...all volunteers...follow 'em or else...simple really...

 

[Flyer1015]

Sounds like an absolute F'ng nightmare. I would sooner flight instruct then go to that ********************hole part of the world.............Akbar a la animals..........

Could you even point where Qatar is on a map without looking it up? Lame post to write off the entire Middle East based on two potentially disgruntled FAs and a pilot sharing their one-sided story.

 

[Golden Falcon]

Could you even point where Qatar is on a map without looking it up? Lame post to write off the entire Middle East based on two potentially disgruntled FAs and a pilot sharing their one-sided story.

It happens unfortunately, and it's not just a couple of employees..but the rules are stiff, and one knows that going in...those who fall afoul are subject to the consequences....

 

[AirCobra]

Kinda like the military..stiff rules, you know 'em before you join...nobody is drafted...all volunteers...follow 'em or else...simple really...

Except the military has a chain of command, Inspector General, a formalized complaint process, lobbyists in Congress, and has been subject to numerous reforms over the past 50 years including most recently the repeal of DADT. I am sure QA did not spell out al the in and outs of the working conditions there during the hiring process. I have found US companies don't do that either most of the time. There is nothing wrong with trying to improve your working conditions, and if that includes exposing your employer to serve as a warning for others, than so be it.

 

[bigsky]

If any of that article is true...and no doubt part of it is, Far be it from me to try and defend.
However in my year here I must say the job has been enjoyable. It has its challenges, yes, but what doesn't? After spending a number of years as widebody Captain, and making over 200k per year, the thought of living in any town, Wisconsin and commuting to Sit reserve in KORD, hoping to score an overnight to Topeka, Kansas...all for what they pay a shift manager at Mcdonalds doesn't sound all that great either.
I check my schedule on Aims...show up at airport and the plane is immaculate, the crews are very professional and enjoy a great route structure. Actually started to write this while at the pool in Bangkok, but got distracted! Living abroad for long periods is tough and for sure I miss many things we take for granted in the USA....... But just wanted to offer a different viewpoint.

 

[EuroWheenie]

Here's a few more insights from Qatar Airways, specifically it's cabin crew:

Upon receiving their wings, they will be meet as group with the CEO, Akbar Al-Bakar (aka The Poisoned Dwarf). He'll give them a visual check, then pass notice to crewing if he fancies someone. That someone will be taken out of normal crew accommodations and placed in a hotel, with a spare key handed over to AAB. He will then have his merry way with them until they start tiring him, at which point they'll be sent to the normal crewing accommodation. The girls can say no, and that's a one-way ticket out of town.

Cabin crew have a curfew on off days, they must be at their quarters no later than 0400. On duty days, they must be in their quarter a minimum of 12 hours prior to pick-up time.

Cabin crew are not allowed to chose own accommodation

All staff are told the cabin crew are not to be mingled with; they are AAB's girls and anyone who gets intimate with one and is found out, will result in both getting fired

On the management level, the revolving door is never standing still. Everybody lives in eternal fear of AAB, and can get fired at moments notice

Anybody living in company supplied accommodation may have their apartment searched at any given time, looking for booze. If you don't have a license to buy booze, you're not allowed to have any at home. If you do, and a search reveals so much as a single can of beer, you're fired

There is only one place in the country where you can buy booze. You must first apply for a license, and all purchases you make are registered and sent to Qatar Airways HR. If the company thinks you've been buying one too many beers, you will be fired.

If you bank at the company recommended bank, all transactions will be shared with Qatar Airways HR. If the company thinks you spend your money on the wrong things, or transfer too many founds out of country, you will be fired.

Qatar Airways HR employes 2 persons full-time only to handle the dismissal of executives VP and above. Think about that!

If you are fired, you will be walked to your office where a person from IT will dismantle your company supplied computer and remove the HDD. This happens in full view of all staff. Following that you will be escorted to your residence, where company security staff will search your house. If they find anything that belongs to the company, even a piece of paper a manager might have brought home to work on, your exit visa will be cancelled and criminal proceedings started. You will be found guilty, and be fined any outstanding amount the company may owe you including any severance packages.

All of the above is just the tip of the iceberg, and none of it is mentioned in the contract or during the interview process.

Join at your own peril!

Don't tell me you haven't been warned.

 

[whymeworry?]

I forwarded that article to a buddy of mine at QR a while back. He said the article makes it seem peaceful there... that it was much, much worse in reality. But he was quick to point out that most of the harassment is on the FA side. I guess as pilots, you do your job, go home, no hassles... more or less.

I guess it must be OK for the pilots because very few leave, relative to other employee groups there. And my buddy there, while not an American, is no slouch. He's been a WB Captain for years and could go pretty much anywhere he wants. But he stays at QR because, obviously for him, there aren't enough compelling reasons to leave (yet).

I have another buddy who left his airline for QR, got through training, then immediately quit. He couldn't stand it. And he was Indian (much lower standards than those of is in The West). He went back to his old airline in India as a Captain, but lost over 10 years of seniority. He's a bit pissed at me still because I encouraged him to to to QR in the first place (on the advice of my WB Capt buddy there).

 

[Golden Falcon]

Not sure if Euroweenie is speaking from experience, or just spouting hearsay....but while it's not a laid-back flying club...it's not a near death experience either...do your job, get paid find other things to do on your time off...like anywhere else...

 

[Varmint]

On PPrune, Qatar airways has been monitoring the board for negative posts and have subpoenaed PPrune for the actual names, IP addresses, email addresses, etc thru a liberal California court of those who made those postings.

For a fairly large company to monitor what is said on a pilots rumor forum just shows how desperate the comb over sporting hot headed CEO is to hide the truth of what is happening at Qatar airways. What he is reportedly doing to the cabin crew by essentially locking them up and holding their jobs over their heads so he can have his way with his choice of girls, and maybe even guys, is reprehensible and if it is true he should be punished severely.

 

[Golden Falcon]

On PPrune, Qatar airways has been monitoring the board for negative posts and have subpoenaed PPrune for the actual names, IP addresses, email addresses, etc thru a liberal California court of those who made those postings.

For a fairly large company to monitor what is said on a pilots rumor forum just shows how desperate the comb over sporting hot headed CEO is to hide the truth of what is happening at Qatar airways. What he is reportedly doing to the cabin crew by essentially locking them up and holding their jobs over their heads so he can have his way with his choice of girls, and maybe even guys, is reprehensible and if it is true he should be punished severely.

Know Etihad did that as well...personal friend got hauled over the coals for his posts