The Truth about the Dispatch Field!!!
ABQPilot said:
Ref RVSM's post,
I too have noticed that there seemed to be more than the normal amount of advertisements for dispatchers at SA. Since regionals are the "trenches" where you have to pay those dues before ascending to the lofty heights of the majors, one expects a steady stream in and out of those departments. It just seemed too many were going through SA though. Hope they can fix the problems there as I was considerering moving back to FWA if a dispatch job came my way.
I worked for a company here in ABQ that had three dispatchers of which two were mostly on days and had over 20 years with the company. Guess who got the odd hours? Actually we all had some pretty weird hours at times and where required to do a lot more than just dispatch. Scheduling (flights and crews) and cost justification for the flights were just some of the "Additional" duties. Since we were a government contractor, filling out forms was usually more important than actually doing to the dispatching. Hope that is not the same things the SA dispatch folks have to do.
Terry
Terry,
Felt compelled to pass on some lessions learned so you have a better picture of dispatching 121.....FORGET THE MAJORS, it wont happen and they are fast becomming the MINORS>>>>
1)First off, dispatching at the regional level is a Career in itself, the idea of doing time at a regional and then at some point having the magical experience to get a dispatch job at a Major carrier DOES NOT EXIST...infact most of the W/O regionals like ASA tell you to forget any flow through to mainline "EVER"....
2)The turn-over of dispatchers at Mainlines or LCC's is so low, that you usually see them leaving the building "feet first" virtually NIL....The current trend to downsize at all mainlines further stops any growth plans for new hires.....
3)LCC like SWA require all dispatchers come from within the ranks Never out side hires....My friend at SWA HR tells me there at more then 200 SWA employees there with dispatch licenses waiting in line for a shot....Airtran Requires 8 to 10 years hard experience before they will even call you..
4) Using the regionals as a "stepping stone" DOESNT APPLY TO DISPATCHERS, works for pilots, F/A's and Mx'ers...not us.....
5) Dont expect to be paid well, it takes a while to even earn $30K, starting ranges from a low of $ 10.58/hr at Eagle and Island Air to as High as $13.25 at place like ASA, SKW, COEX....
6) If pay is a high priority for you then you should push to get hired by supplemental carrier's in cargo or Charters...they ALL pay in the low to mid 30's to start....companies like TMA, Gemini, Capital Air, USA JET, Atlas etc....
My advice to you is simple really and you will find it to be true on your own one day if you dont believe me.....If you like FWA because you call it home, then by all means call Shuttle America....Sue Deuel (HR) 260-479-6202 I'm sure they will interview you...Gauging by the posts on SA they are making some GOOD changes there to the staff and "MAYBE" they will have a future......be very careful on this point...As of last year Wexford Capital...their owners had no plans for SA's future once the SAAB leases expired...to further support this point, the new UAL contract is only for 1 year as well..
As to other Career Advice for dispatching....Think Career location when you interview with a Regional Carrier.....these are the "major" employers for the future of dispatchers....maybe in the next 10 to 15 years if your in the right place and know the right people you have a slim chance of working for a "LArge Aircraft Airline" but they will look alot different by then, and you might just be happy where your at.....
I would highly recommend ASA, SKW and COEX (express Jet) but the others are getting better as well...CHQ is a nice bunch of people, the pay has got to get better and will over the next few years....as do many others....
Good luck in your choices...it sounds like you have a pretty good job now, just eval all your desires first then look at all the options you have....but please get the idea of working as a dispatcher for a Major i.e. "Large aircraft Pax airline" out of your head....if you want to release heavy metal..look at the cargo boys...
These truths are all hard learned over time...take advantage!!
