Ok, this is going to be a lengthy post with a lot of parts to it so bare with me. I am looking for advice as to what I should be thinking when it comes to advancing my career.
First, a little background about myself. I'm 27, work in Ohio for one of the fractionals (I'm not going to say which one) as a "dispatcher."
I've only been with the company for a little over a year....the starting pay was better than the regionals, but that was basically to lure you in the door. I had a raise last year of under 3%, they've recently raised the cost of our benefits, and they've decided to add a lot more work to our department and aren't planning on increasing our pay at all! The added workload is due to a merger between two departments, and the crappy part is, the people coming from the other department are going to get to retain their senoirity so we are all effectively taking a drop in seniority after putting in over a year's time with the company. I am very nervous about the future of our company, and I've started looking towards an exit strategy. I'm really trying to ask myself, what should I put more emphasis on....I mean, I am making more money by staying with a fractional....but at the same time, it's not part 121 experience....so if I plan on making dispatching my career, do I really need to take a step backwards in pay, in order to take more steps forward towards the ultimate goal with my career? So here I go with my questions that hopefully some of you can answer. Feel free to private message me if you don't feel comfortable answering these questions on the public board.
#1. Should I stick it out with my current company until I at least have 2 years in? I know sometimes airlines value time with a company more so than if my work was in a 121 environment or not. Or should I just get out while I can?
#2. Can anyone working as a dispatcher for the airlines tell me the scoop? I'm going to list off some airlines I'm thinking about applying to, or have already applying to, and if I could get some feedback on these that would be great....
-Comair/I hear the dispatchers make pretty good money compared to that of other regionals, however I have heard to stay away from applying until they get stabilized and figure all these pilot talks out.
-Airtran/I applied here once and got an email saying that they were not considering me as a candidate even though I met the requirements according to their web site. Is this a company that absolutely wants 121 experience? Would it be best to apply as a flight follower, and hope to slide into a dispatch position that way?
-Skywest/I have heard that this is a good company, however I am not wanting to move to an isolated place like St. George. My wife is trying to get her teaching career going, and I think a place like that would not provide many opportunities for her. Frankly, I think Skywest made a mistake by establishing headqaurters in such an isolated spot.
-Southwest/I have heard that you have to already work for them in another positions before they will consider you for a dispatching position. I applied as a scheduler a few weeks ago, but haven't heard anything back.
-Jetblue/It looks like I meet the requirements according to their web site, however I'm reluctant to move to New York City for $50,000/year pay.....that's a very big move for me.
-PSA Airlines/Well, I'm originally from Dayton, so moving back home would be easy....however I am reluctant because I would be taking a pay hit, and it seems like the turnover is high because they are always posting positions it seems....maybe this is just due to expansion?
-Chatauqua/I don't know anything about the city of Indianapolis...I would take a pay hit....Just don't know enough about the company I guess.
-Mesa/NO WAY! Heard about the pay.
-Frontier/Never see any dispatcher postings...what's the deal here?
-ASA/Same as frontier....what's the deal?
So after listing these places I am thinking about...any advice or comments would be appreciated. Especially looking forward to hearing from people who work at these companies.
First, a little background about myself. I'm 27, work in Ohio for one of the fractionals (I'm not going to say which one) as a "dispatcher."
I've only been with the company for a little over a year....the starting pay was better than the regionals, but that was basically to lure you in the door. I had a raise last year of under 3%, they've recently raised the cost of our benefits, and they've decided to add a lot more work to our department and aren't planning on increasing our pay at all! The added workload is due to a merger between two departments, and the crappy part is, the people coming from the other department are going to get to retain their senoirity so we are all effectively taking a drop in seniority after putting in over a year's time with the company. I am very nervous about the future of our company, and I've started looking towards an exit strategy. I'm really trying to ask myself, what should I put more emphasis on....I mean, I am making more money by staying with a fractional....but at the same time, it's not part 121 experience....so if I plan on making dispatching my career, do I really need to take a step backwards in pay, in order to take more steps forward towards the ultimate goal with my career? So here I go with my questions that hopefully some of you can answer. Feel free to private message me if you don't feel comfortable answering these questions on the public board.
#1. Should I stick it out with my current company until I at least have 2 years in? I know sometimes airlines value time with a company more so than if my work was in a 121 environment or not. Or should I just get out while I can?
#2. Can anyone working as a dispatcher for the airlines tell me the scoop? I'm going to list off some airlines I'm thinking about applying to, or have already applying to, and if I could get some feedback on these that would be great....
-Comair/I hear the dispatchers make pretty good money compared to that of other regionals, however I have heard to stay away from applying until they get stabilized and figure all these pilot talks out.
-Airtran/I applied here once and got an email saying that they were not considering me as a candidate even though I met the requirements according to their web site. Is this a company that absolutely wants 121 experience? Would it be best to apply as a flight follower, and hope to slide into a dispatch position that way?
-Skywest/I have heard that this is a good company, however I am not wanting to move to an isolated place like St. George. My wife is trying to get her teaching career going, and I think a place like that would not provide many opportunities for her. Frankly, I think Skywest made a mistake by establishing headqaurters in such an isolated spot.
-Southwest/I have heard that you have to already work for them in another positions before they will consider you for a dispatching position. I applied as a scheduler a few weeks ago, but haven't heard anything back.
-Jetblue/It looks like I meet the requirements according to their web site, however I'm reluctant to move to New York City for $50,000/year pay.....that's a very big move for me.
-PSA Airlines/Well, I'm originally from Dayton, so moving back home would be easy....however I am reluctant because I would be taking a pay hit, and it seems like the turnover is high because they are always posting positions it seems....maybe this is just due to expansion?
-Chatauqua/I don't know anything about the city of Indianapolis...I would take a pay hit....Just don't know enough about the company I guess.
-Mesa/NO WAY! Heard about the pay.
-Frontier/Never see any dispatcher postings...what's the deal here?
-ASA/Same as frontier....what's the deal?
So after listing these places I am thinking about...any advice or comments would be appreciated. Especially looking forward to hearing from people who work at these companies.
