Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Foreign
Captain at Qatar or F/O at Emirates????? >

Captain at Qatar or F/O at Emirates?????

Notices
Foreign Airlines that hire U.S. pilots

Captain at Qatar or F/O at Emirates?????

Old 02-08-2007, 05:27 PM
  #1  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 1
Default Captain at Qatar or F/O at Emirates?????

Hi guys and gals I have a little situation in that I was just offered a job at Qatar Airways as a 320/330 Captain. They said they will let me know when they send me the contract. We'll see. I also have the required time for a DEC job at Emirates but they said that I don't have enough longhaul time and would have to go as a F/O.
I would really prefer to live in Dubai as oppose to Doha, Qatar. What do you guys thing about the two cities?
I have a wife and 2 daughters who are 7 and 19 years old. I hear Dubai would be alot nicer to live as there are more things to do etc.
Any thoughts on Doha for a family of four? I currently live in the Caribbean so I'm used to the heat and live a fairly active lifestyle. I am an avid road cyclist and was told that there is cycling in Dubai but NOT in Doha.
My wife is an excelent hair stylist and was wondering about her working in maybe a full or part time job in Doha or Dubai???
The airline I worked for in the Caribbean closed down on the 31st December. There are practially NO jobs in this hemisphere for NON US residents, so one has to head out the east where there is a bee hive of hiring going on. I have a British passport so I can work in the UK but the tax situation is very stiff and housing is very expensive even for a modest house. Maybe the Middle East for a few years to save money then move on ???
Thanks for any comments to help me make up my mind,..... Doha for saving money OR Dubai to have a life outside of my flying and a life for my family who actually have to live there all the time. Thanks again.
flexxmd83 is offline  
Old 02-08-2007, 06:06 PM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Retired
Posts: 3,717
Default

I can't speak for Qatar, or living in Doha, but I can tell you about living in Dubai, from a crew-on-layover perspective. Dubai is a very clean and very modern city. However, your living in the Caribbean does not in any way acclimate you to Dubai in the summertime. It's freakin' hot there. No kidding. It's melt your shoes into the sidewalk hot. It's cook a 15 pound turkey on the sidewalk in 20 minutes hot. As well, I don't know if you plan to make a full career out of Emirates, but if you do, be sure to keep your ties to where it is that you call "home", because the day after you leave (either by retirement, or by being fired, or by quitting), you have 30 days to get out of Dubai.

Dubai has all the modern conveniences of a western city, including an indoor snow sking slope, and a bunch of very modern shopping malls, with Micky D's, Baskin Robbins, TGIF, etc, etc. I believe all the children go to international schools. If you fly for Emirates, I believe that they will pick you up and drop you off, in a limo, at the beginning and end of your flights. That's rather neat. As for your wife working, I think that she will have to find a job, and then get a sponsorship from that company to actually work there. Most of the workers that we as crewmembers run into, are all imported into Dubai, from India, the Philippines, Bangladesh other third world countries.

On a personal note, I always enjoy laying over in Dubai. There's good food, decent places to go and things to do. However, I'd suggest you take your wife over for a few days to see if she likes it. After all, if Mama's happy, everyone's happy.
Jetjok is offline  
Old 02-08-2007, 08:05 PM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,391
Default

I agree with Jetjok. Haven't been to Doha either, though I'm sure life for your family would be much better in Dubai.
Rama is offline  
Old 02-09-2007, 06:14 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: L Side
Posts: 409
Default

Is it possible for you to go to Qatar for a year as a 330 Capt to get some more long-haul experience, then go to Emirates? From what I understand, if you go to Emirates as an F/O you may hold that seat for a few years.
dundem is offline  
Old 02-09-2007, 08:25 AM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
L'il J.Seinfeld's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Brown
Posts: 1,126
Default

Been to both extensively. I would not take my family to Doha. It's too intolerant and a real threat from Muslim idiot extremists exists. The UAE is more open minded and receptive to international business, which means your wife will not get hassled anywhere, even when she is alone. Is there the ability to work for Qatar and live in Kuwait or Dubai?
L'il J.Seinfeld is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Airline Wife
Foreign
35
12-23-2006 06:26 AM
Golden Child
Major
6
03-13-2006 03:19 AM
Freight Dog
Hiring News
9
02-25-2006 09:13 AM
Diesel 10
Hangar Talk
4
07-20-2005 05:22 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices