Qatar Airways Privilege Club - a bit nervous flying QR after reading about them

hi folks,

i saw the 5 star rating, and have booked myself going IAD-DOH-DEL and back later this month. then i read the reviews, and i'm a bit nervous about flying with this carrier.

i am going to be in india for just 5 days, and i get on a train 3 hours after i land in DEL and don't get back to DEL until 5 hours (again, via train) before my return flight.

i don't check in anything - i carry a tom bihn aeronaut and a waist pack.

i'm scared of the experience at DOH, of security screening and discarding contents from my bag, and of having to being forced to check my handbag. i know the baggage size restrictions, but is there a list of what is and isn't allowed in your hand bag? anything special i need to be aware of that isn't observed at european or u.s. airports? i will be carrying clothes, toiletries, a camera, a crazy creek camping chair, a book, a journal, a pen, wallet, keys, sunglasses, some snacks in case they mess up my vegetarian meal request.

i'm flying Y class, but i understand that i can get into the oryx lounge as an amex platinum card holder.

i have 2+ hours layovers, so i think i'll be okay with transit time provided the flights are on time.

thanks!

2 hours transit-time is more than enough in DOH -even 30 minutes are legal and QR sells these connections.

In terms of security screening - there are no special "DOH-rules" in place. Whatever you get through in the US or Europe for that matter you will get through in DOH as well.

To transit thru DOH is fairly easy.

don't be nervous! QR is a very good carrier, and even if DOH needs improvement the airport is not that bad.
based on my experience, officers at checkpoint are not devils, and you don't have to be scared about special/particular screenings.
Cheers

I would be more worried about your return train. Indian trains can run late for no particular reason. You might be cutting it close. Is there any earlier train?

You need to spare at least two to two and a half-hours to complete all the airport formalities.

Ride from DEL train station to International airport can be real quick or real long depending on traffic.

I would be more worried about your return train. Indian trains can run late for no particular reason. You might be cutting it close. Is there any earlier train?

You need to spare at least two to two and a half-hours to complete all the airport formalities.

Ride from DEL train station to International airport can be real quick or real long depending on traffic.

hi snod08,

oh, there is plenty of time to transit from the train to the airport. it was the flights i was concerned over after reading some of the experiences with QR and DOH. my train gets into delhi around 11pm, and the flight from DEL to DOH is 4:45am. so i'll actually head to a hotel to the airport around 1:45am.

2 hours transit-time is more than enough in DOH -even 30 minutes are legal and QR sells these connections.

In terms of security screening - there are no special "DOH-rules" in place. Whatever you get through in the US or Europe for that matter you will get through in DOH as well.

hi capetonian,

i was concerned because someone on the forum mentioned that they were made to stand a considerable distance from their handbags while a security officer went through the handbags and tossed items into a trash bin without asking questions, and that they threatened to deplane the passenger if the passenger protested.

hi capetonian,

i was concerned because someone on the forum mentioned that they were made to stand a considerable distance from their handbags while a security officer went through the handbags and tossed items into a trash bin without asking questions, and that they threatened to deplane the passenger if the passenger protested.

I have gone through DOH numerous times albeit in the Premium terminal - although before that came into existence I used the main terminal a few times.

I have always found security to be little to no hassle. At least when I went through they have always been efficient if not disinterested. It's always been a breeze.

A scenario like the above I can only imagine if they saw something suspicious on the x-ray machine in this specific case. From my experience I can only say that the TSA in the US is much, much worse.

So, I don't think you need to be worried.

No need to worry about the security screening in DOH.

I have been flying QR for the past 3 years (mostly IAD-DOH-MAA in J class) and so far have not experienced anything that would worry /scare me to fly this carrier.

Once I packed a bottle of wine (by mistake from MAA) and was entering DOH for a couple of days en route to IAD. The security at DOH kept it and issued me a receipt that I produced 2 days later when I boarded my IAD flight - they retrieved my wine bottle from a holding area & gave it back with no hassles!

I have gone through DOH numerous times albeit in the Premium terminal - although before that came into existence I used the main terminal a few times.

I have always found security to be little to no hassle. At least when I went through they have always been efficient if not disinterested. It's always been a breeze.

A scenario like the above I can only imagine if they saw something suspicious on the x-ray machine in this specific case. From my experience I can only say that the TSA in the US is much, much worse.

So, I don't think you need to be worried.

thanks capetonian!

Hi There , i have been flying with QR and in my opinion they are truly 5 stars airline, nice ambience, excellent foofd, excellent avod, nothing to worry. Doha airport is not the 'best" airport but it's ok if you have the layover of 2 hours only, the problem is if the layover is more than 3 hours...because nothing much to do iat the airport.