So it feels ever increasingly lately that I am destined to be stuck at a regional for my entire dispatch career, IF my company manages to hold on that long. Aside from the economy being garbage, how do people do it.....how do you get to a major to where you can actually make some REAL money? It seems like none of the majors post external openings, or if they do, I have no clue what really makes you competitive. I feel like I'm being punished for not have gotten a ramper job with Southwest or Fedex back in the day.....but I didn't even know I was going to be a dispatcher then....I still had my sights on being a pilot. I mean, is there ANY hope going forward into the future? Will there eventually be enough retirements with senior staff at majors to make way for young to middle aged people like myself to finally be able to get ahead in this field? I'm not trying to whine....more just vent.....and to see if anyone else feels the same way I do lately?
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I am convinced I'm stuck
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OneBadLT123
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I somewhat feel your pain as well. I had a little luck and did move up some, but all the airlines I dreamed of working for (Grew up with them) are nearly impossible to get into, or have moved out of the area through mergers/sales.
I am fortunate enough to currently live in a once airline-heavy city, but not so much anymore. All this consolidation going on now just seems to be postponing any additional hiring in the near future at the big guys.
As I have learned, the opportunities do come and are out there. They just seem to be few and far in between.
I am fortunate enough to currently live in a once airline-heavy city, but not so much anymore. All this consolidation going on now just seems to be postponing any additional hiring in the near future at the big guys.
As I have learned, the opportunities do come and are out there. They just seem to be few and far in between.
I guess I didn't realize when getting into dispatching that a lot of the majors look to internal hires first....if I would have known that.....well.....I don't know what I would/could have done differently. I seriously thought once I had 5 years of dispatching under my belt, that I would be in prime position to move on to some real money in this industry.....instead I have seen my wages actually go backwards.
All I can add is what was in my class here at SWA nearly 3 years ago.
Of the 10 class members, 6 were externals. I believe the minimum amount of external dispatch experience was 5 years, with the average being closer to 8 years of 121 time.
I think 5 of the 6 had international experience, and most had some regional time.
Of the 10 class members, 6 were externals. I believe the minimum amount of external dispatch experience was 5 years, with the average being closer to 8 years of 121 time.
I think 5 of the 6 had international experience, and most had some regional time.
crjdxr
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This is my own experience:
After 8+ years as a dispatcher, I couldn't get into the management structure. So, I went to a different department. After a couple of years there, I got out of the biz. Then, after not being able to feed my addiction/genetic disorder for things aviation, I got back in. My "in" is a small but rapidly expanding cargo operation.
Many moons ago a manager told me that sometimes the only way to get in/up is to get out first. I'm not advocating that, but it seems to have worked for me. Plus, I happened across a kick-arse company that is growing like a weed.
My advice: Keep plugging. Don't fall into the "stuck" mentality. Things are just not breaking your way at the moment. They will. It took me (roughly) two years of hard-core, very active looking/submitting/interviewing while sitting on the outside looking in.
O.k., that's more of a pep-talk than anything. No matter. Keep at it.
After 8+ years as a dispatcher, I couldn't get into the management structure. So, I went to a different department. After a couple of years there, I got out of the biz. Then, after not being able to feed my addiction/genetic disorder for things aviation, I got back in. My "in" is a small but rapidly expanding cargo operation.
Many moons ago a manager told me that sometimes the only way to get in/up is to get out first. I'm not advocating that, but it seems to have worked for me. Plus, I happened across a kick-arse company that is growing like a weed.
My advice: Keep plugging. Don't fall into the "stuck" mentality. Things are just not breaking your way at the moment. They will. It took me (roughly) two years of hard-core, very active looking/submitting/interviewing while sitting on the outside looking in.
O.k., that's more of a pep-talk than anything. No matter. Keep at it.
Pull To Guns
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Pull To Guns
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homerjdispatch
Gods gift to dispatch
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He is to lazy to do that. Instead he just comes on here and whines! Geez it gets old fast!
Anyway, how are you doing PTG? And someone mentioned you having a birthday sometime around today... What does that make ya, 75? LOL
N271FE
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- Oct 23, 2005
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- 41
It's not that hard.
Back in the day? You could get hired at FedEx 6-12 months from now if you really wanted to.
Anyone can. It's widely known that FedEx only hires internally- That's how it works, plain and simple. Play the game and work as a ramper or package handler for a few months. FedEx hires dispatchers about twice a year, and if you've got previous dispatch experience, you're pretty much guaranteed to get an interview.
Christmas is right around the corner, and there's a pretty good chance that various ramps will be hiring additional help with the increased volume of christmas packages being shipped.
Take a step backwards now, and launch yourself forward in the near future.
Back in the day? You could get hired at FedEx 6-12 months from now if you really wanted to.
Anyone can. It's widely known that FedEx only hires internally- That's how it works, plain and simple. Play the game and work as a ramper or package handler for a few months. FedEx hires dispatchers about twice a year, and if you've got previous dispatch experience, you're pretty much guaranteed to get an interview.
Christmas is right around the corner, and there's a pretty good chance that various ramps will be hiring additional help with the increased volume of christmas packages being shipped.
Take a step backwards now, and launch yourself forward in the near future.
What is insulting is having to step back to do something you already do. I don't believe qualified dx should have to kiss ass or do something else to get into dx with a good company. These places hire externally for virtually any other position, they can do the same with dx.
it's not whining....it's trying to get insight as to what I can be doing better to get to where I want to be and on the state of the industry from people that may know more than me
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Oh, and before you assume I am lazy....a search on airline codes listed two different airlines as EY, both Etihad and Eagle Air, thus why I asked the question to make sure we were talking about the correct airline.
Back in the day....like when I was in college and could do a part-time job.
Don't think I haven't looked at it, I have taken all the advice I get from everyone of you seriously.
I have an ex co-worker that works at the FedEx ramp here, and he's gone over the shifts if they were hiring, and it doesn't even work out with my job to where I could even do it, thus I would have to quit dispatching just to be able to work as a ramper at FedEx. I can just imagine the conversation now...."Honey, I'd like your full support in me trying to get a ramp job part-time with FedEx so that I might get a job as a dispatcher there. We may not be able to afford diapers for our son, or health insurance, but we gotta take that chance."
I appreciate the advice you've given me over the months, but I've played this scenario out, and I just don't see it going over too well.
Don't think I haven't looked at it, I have taken all the advice I get from everyone of you seriously.
I have an ex co-worker that works at the FedEx ramp here, and he's gone over the shifts if they were hiring, and it doesn't even work out with my job to where I could even do it, thus I would have to quit dispatching just to be able to work as a ramper at FedEx. I can just imagine the conversation now...."Honey, I'd like your full support in me trying to get a ramp job part-time with FedEx so that I might get a job as a dispatcher there. We may not be able to afford diapers for our son, or health insurance, but we gotta take that chance."
I appreciate the advice you've given me over the months, but I've played this scenario out, and I just don't see it going over too well.
Kittyhawk1048
The Judge
- Joined
- May 26, 2006
- Posts
- 151
Real World no BS
I got my dispatch license in 2003 and I have worked at 2 regionals and 1 cargo carrier. When I left dispatching in 2007 and tried to get back into it in 2009 it was IMPOSSIBLE to do so.
That working at FDX in hopes of getting on in dispatch is a pipe dream, there are so many people that are already in the system that are doing just that I know of 4 right now that have been working for FDX for more than 2 years, still waiting.
Look at other ways to use your dispatch license I have been in Airport Operations at ORD for 3 years now I am not saying that it is as fun as dispatching but at least you are at the airport instead of a office with no windows (LOL) and also most times you are working for the airport itself so, no flight benefits but the job is stable I think that the job pays alot more than dispatching at a regional does.
Look into dispatching lifeflight helicopters it is quote unquote a flight follower but I think that companies like this have to call us that because they really dont require them. Most have good medical benefits and schedules are 7 on 7 off
When I got out of dispatch school in 2003 I thought the same thing that you did I got my ticket sky is the limit. As you have found out things are not as they seem.
Any more questions PM me
I got my dispatch license in 2003 and I have worked at 2 regionals and 1 cargo carrier. When I left dispatching in 2007 and tried to get back into it in 2009 it was IMPOSSIBLE to do so.
That working at FDX in hopes of getting on in dispatch is a pipe dream, there are so many people that are already in the system that are doing just that I know of 4 right now that have been working for FDX for more than 2 years, still waiting.
Look at other ways to use your dispatch license I have been in Airport Operations at ORD for 3 years now I am not saying that it is as fun as dispatching but at least you are at the airport instead of a office with no windows (LOL) and also most times you are working for the airport itself so, no flight benefits but the job is stable I think that the job pays alot more than dispatching at a regional does.
Look into dispatching lifeflight helicopters it is quote unquote a flight follower but I think that companies like this have to call us that because they really dont require them. Most have good medical benefits and schedules are 7 on 7 off
When I got out of dispatch school in 2003 I thought the same thing that you did I got my ticket sky is the limit. As you have found out things are not as they seem.
Any more questions PM me
Kittyhawk1048
The Judge
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- May 26, 2006
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- 151
clr4theapch I agree with you the schools do promise the 6 figures but I have yet to see them, nowadays looks like dispatchers are getting stuck in the regionals.
I may not be as seasoned as you but I know what you mean it looks like if you get out of dispatch and you have some years with a regional forget about getting back in. Looks like companies want the younger crowd.
I think that the key is looking to other ways to use our license.
I may not be as seasoned as you but I know what you mean it looks like if you get out of dispatch and you have some years with a regional forget about getting back in. Looks like companies want the younger crowd.
I think that the key is looking to other ways to use our license.
airbrush
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2001
- Posts
- 146
I can't claim to have done an extensive, nation-wide search of all EMS operations, but I've tried a few over the past couple of years. I even got my EMT certification in hopes that it would make me more marketable, and I also thought the 2006 NTSB recommendation that they staff communications centers with more dispatch-licensed people might boost my chances.
But so far, no dice; it seems that the EMS business is very insular. They would rather hire a guy they know who used to run with their ambulance company because "he's a good guy and a good paramedic", instead of a guy who understands aviation weather, aircraft performance, FAA regs, etc. I did work for one operator for a few months (casual status), and the lack of aviation knowledge was stunning. Despite the fact that they're dispatching helicopters in the middle of the night in marginal weather, they still value the medical skills and knowledge more highly than the ability to anticipate the pilot's needs and provide accurate and timely information. I guess the only consolation is that most of these places still only pay slightly better than the average regional airline, so it's not like you're going to get rich. There was also the typical issue that you face with the airlines....they are often located in expensive areas (i.e., Falls Church, VA), while not paying NEARLY enough to make it work.
Not trying to be Dr. Gloom...just passing along what I've seen.
But so far, no dice; it seems that the EMS business is very insular. They would rather hire a guy they know who used to run with their ambulance company because "he's a good guy and a good paramedic", instead of a guy who understands aviation weather, aircraft performance, FAA regs, etc. I did work for one operator for a few months (casual status), and the lack of aviation knowledge was stunning. Despite the fact that they're dispatching helicopters in the middle of the night in marginal weather, they still value the medical skills and knowledge more highly than the ability to anticipate the pilot's needs and provide accurate and timely information. I guess the only consolation is that most of these places still only pay slightly better than the average regional airline, so it's not like you're going to get rich. There was also the typical issue that you face with the airlines....they are often located in expensive areas (i.e., Falls Church, VA), while not paying NEARLY enough to make it work.
Not trying to be Dr. Gloom...just passing along what I've seen.
Kittyhawk1048
The Judge
- Joined
- May 26, 2006
- Posts
- 151
Here is a website I go to often for Airport Ops jobs your dispatch license goes a long way I've found in this field.
http://careercenter.aaae.org/jobs
http://careercenter.aaae.org/jobs
OneBadLT123
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2004
- Posts
- 329
A family friend of mine who has his ADX got into the oil business at an oil refinery near Houston monitoring the systems and petroleum movement within the factory. He got out of the aviation business years ago and has been there since while making a decent living it seems.
How to find jobs like that though, I have no idea.
Then there is the rail option, but even that has been pretty shaky at times.
How to find jobs like that though, I have no idea.
Then there is the rail option, but even that has been pretty shaky at times.
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