Dispatch Questions

[pilotman2105]

Since ATC hiring seems to be in a state of constant confusion (a la FAA), I am beginning to look at a second backup plan for employment. I was wondering if there are any dispatchers that frequent the board and could offer advice as to the job. Mainly, what is a typical day and would you recommend the job to others as something enjoyable to make a living at? Also, what are the necessary education requirements? (obviously a dispatch certificate, but how, and through what schools, does one go about getting that?) Finally, what is a typical career progression? From what I've found, you still have to "pay your dues" in that you start with a smaller airline. How hard is it to get employment?

I've done a bit of this research on my own, but there are quite a few gaps. It isn't a very well known job (the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't recognize airline dispatchers in the Occupational Handbook), so I was just trying to get a feel from someone that is already there.

Thanks!

 

[Deltoid]

Hey pilotman,

The only national flight school FAA 65 approved dispatcher training that I know of is Flighsafety International. PART 65 of the regs spell out the requirements. My wife went to the one in LGA and she liked it very much. They prep you to take the ADX written which is a slightly different version of the ATP test. The only difference really is the dispatch regs and more concentration on flight planning. Then they prep you for the practical test. Its a very comprehensive course, big focus on weather and flight planning. I believe its 6 weeks full time 200hrs of required class room training. Your state might have some local smaller approved schools like on long island. Make sure its FAA approved or you cannot take the practical without proof.

Her shift is 8 hours long typically, longer on bad weather delays if they dont have relief which is very rare. 10 hours is max by regs with 8 hour rest period required then you can do another ten if you wish. Typical days off are 10 per month doing 8 hour shifts. If you can do 10 hour shifts you can get an extra day or two off. She was very lucky that the examiner who did her practical felt she did such a great job that he hired her for an international 121 supplemental carrier he was the director of OPS for. Then she job changed and worked in operations for 6 months before being put into a dispatch position again. Her company will hire newly certificated dispatchers on rare occasions such as an employee moving from another department. Not all do this. Typically a regional or small commuter will hire new dispatchers but as you said before dues will have to be paid. Salaries to start will be 25,000$ - 30,000$. Salaries at majors are close if not just over 6 figures. LCC's 35,000$ - 55,000$. They key to getting into one of these jobs maybe to get the ticket then get hired into a department close to dispatch (on the operations side) then move from there. There are busy times of the day when many flight plans & releases need to be produced then slow times when you just flight follow the progress. When the WX goes bad then it gets very busy again with diversions and delays. She does like it very much.. Hope it helps...


Deltoid

 

[rvsm410]

Dispatch jobs

Just to add to the info, the above poster is somewhat correct, however the job outlook is another story.....
you will need 3 to 5 years of experience at a regional before you can be competitive and thats now, in 3 years it may be more..

Expect to start out at $11.50 to $14.00 an hour for several years...check the cost of leaving as well....the LCC"S are requiring as much experience as most majors to get on.....they start out at $28K and go up to the $50's/$60's...the majors use to pay 6 figures after about 10 years, but those days are pretty much gone with many offices taking large cuts to keep the company afloat...

The problem is that there are many HUNDREDS or EXPERIENCED dispatchers out of work and andf then there are HUNDREDS that are working that want to go somewhere else...all of these folks will have a much better shot of getting interviewed LONG BEFORE greeenis will, with a few exceptions, Companies like Pinnical like to hire new folks but the pay is in the $11's range...they are in MEM.

If I were you I would look into another aviaton field, or industry...this business is getting worse, the quality of life is downgrading as well....but if you have the aviation bug we all understand...I just want you to open your eyes to the real world, not the way the schools want you to see it.....

As for schools, any approved school works, no one really care where you go to get a license....save money and good luck....

 

[pilotman2105]

The problem is that there are many HUNDREDS or EXPERIENCED dispatchers out of work....

I was wondering if that was the case. Thanks rvsm410.

I do have a few ace's up the sleeve at the moment. Have the flight instructor certificates if I decide to go the flying route. However, I'm thinking that I don't want to be out and about that much. It would be something that I would enjoy, but I think that I'd rather be a bit closer to home and not shoved into a tin can for hours at a time only to end up in a stuffy hotel room.

Also, I'm now going to school for ATC. However, the FAA and their infinite wisdom are playing hot potato with hiring situation, and to be honest, I'm not really one to sit around and wait for those sorts of things to get figured out.

So in all, I'm looking for something in aviation that is somewhat more stable (har, har). Guess dispatching isn't going to be the ticket for the next few years at least.

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[FlightTraker]

I went to Sheffield School of Aeronautics in Ft. Lauderdale. THe oldest and most experienced school in the nation. Check out their website (if u haven't already) it should answer most of your questions. www.sheffield.com


FlightTraker

 

[pilotman2105]

I went to Sheffield School of Aeronautics in Ft. Lauderdale. THe oldest and most experienced school in the nation. Check out their website (if u haven't already) it should answer most of your questions. www.sheffield.com


FlightTraker

FlightTraker,

What is the job market like? I see that this is a fairly reputable school, but it doesn't mention much about placement other than that they help you find a job.

Can shed any light on what rvsm410 says about the tough job market for dispatchers?

 

[SKC]

Look at it this way....there were roughly 1500 dispatch positions in the country. Within the last 3 years nearly EVERY airline has furloughed dispatchers. That doesn't include the multitudes of folks that already have their license that are waiting for a position to open somewhere.

The key to entering this field now is FLEXIBILITY! If you don't mind where you live, you have a good shot at a job somewhere. If you're limited to working within the state of TX (example), you're cutting your odds WAY down. Keep your options open. If you can't, this probably isn't the time to get your ticket.

 

[homerjdispatch]

Check your pm's Pilotman.


And yes, there are jobs available out there.