The future outlook?

[bgaviator]

Hey all,
I don't mind anyone answering this question, but I guess I'm looking for answers mainly from people working at the major carriers and cargo operations. I know the economy is complete crap right now, and that I should just be thankful I have a job dispatching at this point....but I still can't help but continually be focused on the future and trying to get myself in a position to get on with a major fairly soon. I keep trying to tell myself that since I'm only 29 years old, maybe by the time the economy turns around that there will then come that exodus of people at the majors looking to retire and that I would be in a prime position to move on. I don't really know what the make up of the work force is at most of the majors....is it mostly an older staff, a younger staff, or a decent mix of both? Can anyone at the major 121 or cargo carriers give me a idea if I even have a reason to be optimistic, or should I pretty much be preparing myself to live out my days at a regional? Thank you.

 

[Kittyhawk1048]

I think that the days of going to a major are about over I really think that regionals are where it is at. Unless you are going to a SWA or Allegiant in LAS. Regional carriers are flying more advanced aircraft now that fly further and higher than they used to, the days of the regionals being nothing but puddle jumpers are almost over. If you are in good with a good regional carrier I would stay there you are right the economy is not the best right now.

I went a totally different route still using my dispatch license, did you ever think about airport operations? It is a very stable job if you can get it and it is a city/goverment job. PM me if you want more details. Pay is good too I made 65,000 last year more than I would make dispatching and you are at the airport running it.

 

[SKC]

Just a quick glance at the seniority list here at SWA, the breakdown is as follows:

Less than 1 year: 19
1 year > 5 years: 40
5 years > 10 years: 59
10 years > 15 years: 26
15 years > 20 years: 21
20 years > 25 years: 13
More than 25 years: 12

Don't know if that tells you much of anything other than one stat.

This includes the ~6 that are assistants.

 

[bgaviator]

Seems like a pretty young group....

Just a quick glance at the seniority list here at SWA, the breakdown is as follows:

Less than 1 year: 19
1 year > 5 years: 40
5 years > 10 years: 59
10 years > 15 years: 26
15 years > 20 years: 21
20 years > 25 years: 13
More than 25 years: 12

Don't know if that tells you much of anything other than one stat.

This includes the ~6 that are assistants.

 

[OurMoney1]

It's anyones guess but things are bad and are going to get alot worse for everybody. Future frieght lift looks bad, commercial booking are rumored to be poor.

Initially I thought perhaps we would see merger mania continue but noone can borrow cus the banks wont lend. With fuel so low it is going to be a slow bleed for all of us.

Until global freight picks up us box slingers are gonna be running very lean. Maybe a middle east pull out would involve us but I'm not bettin on it. By summer I think Americans are gonna be feeling the financial fall out deep in the pocket books and airline/freight movement is gonna be non-existant.

Hang tight.....we are all in this together.

 

[DX Jake]

Hey all,
I keep trying to tell myself that since I'm only 29 years old, maybe by the time the economy turns around that there will then come that exodus of people at the majors looking to retire and that I would be in a prime position to move on.

I'm 28, and I feel over the hill....

 

[NoApu]

If I was 28 I would look into being and air traffic controller. The cut off is 30 y/o and the FAA has better pay and benefits than a regional.

My take on getting on at a major is that you/we will have to wait out the mergers and then expect a round of early retirements followed by some furloughs.

When the majors do start hiring again, it wouldn't surprise me that they will hire from within their own ranks before going outside for prospective dispatcher candidates.

It stinks but that's what I am mentally preparing myself for. Until better days come, I'll just have to keep telling myself how it's a good thing to be with a (knock on wood) stable airline (oxymoron?).

I love my job! I love my job! I love my job!

It's Showtime!

Regards,
MB