Dispatcher training

[alpine1989]

Some are leery of hiring super experienced pilots and investing in their training only to have them bolt if hiring picks up in that area.

Bingo

 

[Tatoosh65]

Thanks to all that have added their insights here. Its been very helpful.
Sounds like a little bit of mixed bag. Long road, not enough cash, sounds familiar to me. The being home every night part sounds good to me. I appreciate hearing what the true expectations should be.
"Clr4approach" Thanks for your thoughts, but you assume, taker easy now..no need to get all wound up over nothing...

 

[Tatoosh65]

Thanks 4Aprch.

 

[N271FE]

I went to AGS in CVG and took the Accelerated course (Distance Learning Course). If you've been flying in the 121 world, you're light years ahead of tons of other folks for experience. That's a no brainer.
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http://www.agschools.com/distance_learning_course.htm
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Ps- Tatoosh; great name for your geographic area!

 

[OneBadLT123]

From my short experience, I have learned things do not come easy. But one thing I did learn is if you are willing to make the sacrifices, and keep it positive, good things will happen to you. I myself got my ticket just over a year ago, worked at a regional for just under a year and got picked up by a "major" so to say. I went from starting out at 12.xx bucks and hour, to my 12 month raise of just over 13.xx and hour to now making a substantial amount more Dx’ing mainline aircraft.

Was it luck? My interview? did they see something in me? Were they desperate? I don’t know. All I know is I tried my hardest to make the best out of my career, and take great pride in what I do. So far it’s paying off. What the future brings I don’t know. But that’s in industry we work in.

I say if you feel you can get your ticket in an accelerated program, I say go for it. But I wouldn’t expect to get picked up by a major after getting your ticket even with your experience. But hey, weirder things have happened, so I wouldn’t say it is impossible. Just realistically expect about a $12-$16/hr starting wage. Which I guess isn’t bad, but it really depends on other factors as well. (shift differential, raise frequency/percentage, union/nonunion…etc)

I know the original topic was asking about training, so I know I am a litte off topic. But I figured I would add my .02 as well. Whatever thats worth really. I think you would breeze through DX training. There are some differences, but for the most part everything can be picked up fairly well. But hey, now pilots can learn how to derive alternate minimums though (Kidding)

 

[clr4theapch]

Good post BadLT..

You are on of those that for what ever reason made it to the majors in record time.. congratulations... the top .5%..

Your advise however futher cements my comments that it will take some real time building along with the right time and right place and persons to make the jump to the big iron.. added to the good attitude and hard work.

I think we all agree to go for it, just have your eyes wide open to the real world of dispatch..

 

[SKC]

BY justlurkin:

SWA? Only time they have ever hired externally was during the 2007 DX shortage -

Not that it really matters in the long run, but a slight correction...2007 was the first time in 17 years for external hires. We've since hired two more classes that the majority of those hired were externals.

We have a couple of assistants that have yet to upgrade and will need to add another desk or two before that happens (thus another new hire class), I'm guessing.

 

[onewithwings]

That also includes taking jobs in crew scheduling or other airlrine openings with the intent to move to dispatch later.. Some companies like Airtran have a problem with that approach.. speaking from experience...

We have furloughed pilots that took jobs in crew scheduling until they get "called up".....sometime in the future. It's been several years and with the continued furloughs it will be many more! This June, we will see another round of furloughs in dispatch.

Begining pay here is about 25K. (When I started here it was 20K)

 

[Pull To Guns]

What a depressing thread (sigh). It made me think that if I was ever to go back to where I was, I would start with the same pay as someone with a fresh cert and be at the bottom of the seniority list. Not an appealing situation. We are all trapped in a way. I love "the biz" and have devoted the last 11 years of my life to it, but it is cruel to it's children.

Things change rapidly though. 2007 did see a DX shortage and the company I worked for then had to pay station ops people to go to school to fill the empty seats. Some were good but others could not read a TAF even after their free schooling. During this period of time I saw several co-workers hired by majors and LCCs and I was hired by a major international.

The situation is tough right now with hundreds of apps/position but I think the pendulum is starting to swing back. I personally know several people who have been hired lately at good places.

Because DXers are such a small community, the ups and downs of the supply and demand curve are very steep. It doesn't take much for the balance to be upset. I see good times ahead again in a couple of years.

As for some comments on how employers would rather hire no or low experienced applicants over experienced ones because of a fear the veterans will leave at the first opportunity, I have to throw the BS flag on that one.

Think about it! We are a dime-a-dozen right now and if you, as a decision maker, you had a hundred resumes in front of you, which one would you pick?

I rest my case!

 

[Squirrel29]

I think it depends on which company is hiring. If it is a regional I see them more leaning toward a new dispatcher. If it is a major or supplemental carrier they will go for experience. Last place I worked they hired both but it depended on the experience in the office. If we had alot of experienced dispatchers they would pick up a new dispatcher. But for the the most part hired experienced dispatchers. I know right now Im frustrated with the job search as it has slowed down in the past month.

What is hurting me is when I have to put my salary down. I wouldn't mind working for a regional for atleast 2 years. But I think once they seen what I made they think I wont start at the bottom again. Have no clue but it would be nice to just interview with them. Im not stuck where I have to make certain amount to live I can start over again. Although I really dont want to I dont have a choice as that is part of the industry.

 

[clr4theapch]

It is strange industry we are in.. I have been with a large aerospace firm in another life and experience always got paid.. I really dont understand how this situation is so stuck in this thinking.. experience should always be recognized.. I have started over 3 times.. it can be challenging, ya better have a well paid spouse to get the family through it.. or don't have a family...

As to the other points made by Pull to Guns.. I agree on most of your post.. however, I have had the unfortunate experience of being told by a regional that they are looking for green dispatchers to train them in their ways of operation so no bad habits have to be dealt with.. it's no biggie an employer has the right to hire whom they want.. but it does happen once in a while..

 

[Pull To Guns]

It is strange industry we are in.. I have been with a large aerospace firm in another life and experience always got paid.. I really dont understand how this situation is so stuck in this thinking.. experience should always be recognized.. I have started over 3 times.. it can be challenging, ya better have a well paid spouse to get the family through it.. or don't have a family...

As to the other points made by Pull to Guns.. I agree on most of your post.. however, I have had the unfortunate experience of being told by a regional that they are looking for green dispatchers to train them in their ways of operation so no bad habits have to be dealt with.. it's no biggie an employer has the right to hire whom they want.. but it does happen once in a while..

It sounds like that regional was just blowing smoke up your keister. I'll bet there are more green dispatchers that leave within the first year than experienced ones. The responsibility, schedule, pay and other tough aspects of the job can and do overwhelm those that are unfamiliar and new to the biz.

The regional that told you that forgot that us seasoned guys also have some good habits.

As a decision maker, I would rather choose an applicant that has been there and has a feel for the biz. Especially for the same cost (salary) as a newby. That is another subject that just ain't right!!!