Dispatching Career?

[cointyro]

I've strongly been considering pursuing the dispatching career in the future, and am currently gathering as much information as I can about that career area. It seems like an excellent way to participate in logistics, feel "ownership" in a large, neat process of airline / aircraft ops, and be involved with aviation in an intimate way... without the struggles of huge debt and 10 years of poverty that piloting brings. I know the money is not as good, but I'm not looking to get rich... just to find a job that is rewarding for the 40 or 50 hours a week I need to work.

Any comments / suggestions / observations on the dispatching career, where it's headed, how to get involved, where to pursue training, mindsets, things I should be aware of, etc? What books should I read to prepare prior to attending FlightSafety or other high-tier dispatching school (the credentials will help in the job search)? Should I get my private pilot's license- would this boost my dispatching resume? Anything and everything would greatly be appreciated!

For the record, I know that dispatching is a very "niche" career and now is certainly not the time to pursue it... I plan to remain in my current profession (public accounting) until August 2006, and then consider other possibilities. I imagine my CPA license and a masters degree going into applying for an entry-level dispatching career would give my resume some additional credence too. All thoughts welcomed

 

[EngineOut]

I've strongly been considering pursuing the dispatching career in the future, and am currently gathering as much information as I can about that career area. It seems like an excellent way to participate in logistics, feel "ownership" in a large, neat process of airline / aircraft ops, and be involved with aviation in an intimate way... without the struggles of huge debt and 10 years of poverty that piloting brings. I know the money is not as good, but I'm not looking to get rich... just to find a job that is rewarding for the 40 or 50 hours a week I need to work.

Any comments / suggestions / observations on the dispatching career, where it's headed, how to get involved, where to pursue training, mindsets, things I should be aware of, etc? What books should I read to prepare prior to attending FlightSafety or other high-tier dispatching school (the credentials will help in the job search)? Should I get my private pilot's license- would this boost my dispatching resume? Anything and everything would greatly be appreciated!

The pursuit of a dispatching career is no different than the same struggle the pilots are going through now. You have to start at a regional (or equivilent) making $10-12/hr to start - if you can get your resume looked at by the HR people. Pay is getting cut, jobs are being lost.

Next, build experience (used to be 1 year with a strong academic background was sufficient, now more like 3+ to even be looked at by a higher tier carrier). None of the majors are regularly hiring Flight Operations people at this moment -- Not even Southwest. Southwest requires employment in an entry-level position (Ramp/Operations Agent/Crew Scheduling, etc.) before even having the chance to internally interview.

For the record, I know that dispatching is a very "niche" career and now is certainly not the time to pursue it... I plan to remain in my current profession (public accounting) until August 2006, and then consider other possibilities. I imagine my CPA license and a masters degree going into applying for an entry-level dispatching career would give my resume some additional credence too. All thoughts welcomed

I just accepted a dispatching position at Flexjet. It has been a long struggle, since I don't want to move, but has paid off well. Fractional companies are a great opportunity to consider. I understand, however, that some may not be as good as others. Flexjet, by all accounts and observations, appears to be a great place to work.

I got a Dispatch certificate through the Aviation program at a college I attended while earning A.S. degrees in Dispatch, Professional Pilot, and Business (block transfer). Certainly was the cheapest way I see to go.

Funny, though, I'm working on a B.S. in Accounting and an MBA. I don't want to be an accountant, just want to be able to speak the language of business.

I don't know if your academic credentials will be of more value to an employer over other backgrounds, but I can say your accounting experience will help YOU be a better dispatcher. In effect, your responsibilities are similar in nature: gathering information (usually numerical), putting it in order, doing some calculations, producing reports, presenting those results to your clients (pilots). Together with the PIC of the flight, you analyze those "reports." There is more to it than that, but you get the idea.

Good Luck with your pursuits! If you want it bad enough, anything is possible!