Can I please have the 411 on Air Flight Ddispatch

[BREN747]

Do you, have the 411 on Air Flight Ddispatch

I'm looking at taking the Air Flight Dispatch Class,
to change my CAREER PATH,
If you could give me a bit of info like the Pros's and Con's to being a dispatcher, Feel Free to send me a PM,

1) what are the hours of a typical work day?

2) Is there lots of overtime for those like myself who do not mind the OT ?

3) Is it hard to find employment right after you are Certified? are the employers looking for potential Hires with a significant amount experience.

4) Generally how much time do you spend traveling per job description

I Sincerely,Thank You in advance for taking the time to answer my questions...

 

[DX Rick]

I'm looking at taking the Air Flight Dispatch Class,
to change my CAREER PATH. What do you do now?


1) what are the hours of a typical work day? 10 hours where I used to work. I have heard most regionals are 10 hour days

2) Is there lots of overtime for those like myself who do not mind the OT ? Depends. You are only allowed to be scheduled up to 10 hours, but if they guy filling in for you doesn't show unknown, you can continue to work. I have heard Mesa has TONS overtime due to dx'ers leaving with no notice, but you are only allowed to work 6 days in a row without having 24 hours off.

3) Is it hard to find employment right after you are Certified? are the employers looking for potential Hires with a significant amount experience. I was hired right away with no time, but I was LUCKY. Most start off in operations, and those spots are usually open right away. After "doin your time" in Op's you get moved up to DX. Regionals typically require no expierence. The majors like to have between 3-5 yrs of experience. They also like to have a variety of background, not the same air carrier for the last 5 years dispatching airplanes within the midwest over Lake Michigan.

4) Generally how much time do you spend traveling per job description. It is a FAA requiremnt that you jumpseat 5 hours of time, in the type of a/c you dx. Not too sure if you have to do 5 hours in EACH airplane if you dx two or more types of airplanes.

Where are you looking to go to school?

 

[FlightOpsAB]

I'm looking at taking the Air Flight Dispatch Class,
to change my CAREER PATH,
If you could give me a bit of info like the Pros's and Con's to being a dispatcher, Feel Free to send me a PM,

1) what are the hours of a typical work day?
5 on/2 off. 8 hours shifts. shifts start at 0530, 1330 and 2130

2) Is there lots of overtime for those like myself who do not mind the OT ?
Have some opportunities, but not too many, especially with all the cost cutting going on

3) Is it hard to find employment right after you are Certified? are the employers looking for potential Hires with a significant amount experience.
My first gig after getting the license was a crew scheduling position (ouch!), then 135 dx and now 121 dx... All within less than a year.

4) Generally how much time do you spend traveling per job description
Almost none, except for the yearly route check


I Sincerely,Thank You in advance for taking the time to answer my questions...

Hope this helps, let me know if yo have any other questions.

 

[CRJDispatchKid]

I'm looking at taking the Air Flight Dispatch Class,
to change my CAREER PATH.

1) what are the hours of a typical work day? At Pinnacle the dispatchers work 10 hours shifts. 4 days on, 3 off.

2) Is there lots of overtime for those like myself who do not mind the OT ? Overtime is becoming a little more scarce since the staffing is up. There are always a few shifts open. Supposed to assigned by seniority, but generally is first come first serve.

3) Is it hard to find employment right after you are Certified? are the employers looking for potential Hires with a significant amount experience. I know the owner of the school in Dallas. He tells me there are plenty of jobs available and recently he's had newhires go straight to NWA and UAL. Regionals hiring, currently Pinnacle is looking for 2 more.

4) Generally how much time do you spend traveling per job description. Besides the FAA required of 5 hours a year of jumpseat time, there is no travel required /necessary for Pinnacle dispatchers.

 

[SKC]

CRJ, Kash has sent new hires to NW and UA, but not as dispatchers.

 

[CRJDispatchKid]

UAL new-hire was a dispatch assistant. Starting pay was 40k I'm told. More than I make as management at 9E!

 

[DX Rick]

UAL new-hire was a dispatch assistant. Starting pay was 40k I'm told. More than I make as management at 9E!

What are the requirements though? I know a guy who works that position, and he had to have 3+ yrs under his belt of desk flying.

 

[propsarebest]

Maybe the guy has like a trillion years with UAL, as a CSA or something...

 

[BREN747]

Thanks Everyone,for Taking The Time To Answer All My Q's Your Inside Information, Has Been Most Helpfull, And Totaly Appreciated By Me,
Soon, In The Near Future There Will Be No More Legal Drug Pushing For Me After Ten Years Of This, And Your Help, Now I Can Make A Informed Decision To Take The Dx'ing Class In Jan-feb 2006,

 

[RVSM]

You will likely get a better response in the Dispatchers and Schedulers area.

1) what are the hours of a typical work day?
8.5 hours for SWA. Some days are slow, others are "all hands on deck".
Stress level is moderate. It depends on how you deal with stress as to how stressful it is.

2) Is there lots of overtime for those like myself who do not mind the OT ?
There is enough to go around

3) Is it hard to find employment right after you are Certified? are the employers looking for potential Hires with a significant amount experience.
It takes a while and helps to know someone to get your first in. After you make it to the majors the gig is prety good. For SWA you have to come up from inside. Usually from operations in the stations.
4) Generally how much time do you spend traveling per job description
Travelling...as much or as little as I want. All on my schedule. Only 5 hours of OBS time is required per annum by the FAR'