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......getting to the majors

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bgaviator

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2007
Posts
353
So after reading the comments from some people posting on the various forums who are doing dispatch....they almost make it sound like it is impossible to get on dispatching with a major airline. One person said that you easily end up working for a regional for 10 years, maxing out at $35k.
Certainly I can't imagine this to be the whole truth, right?
I mean, a lot probably depends on how much you try to get into the major airline, via making contacts, just putting your application in, letting your supervisors know you're interested in moving up, etc. etc.
It can't possibly be that no one is hiring dispatchers at the majors.....although you do never see any postings for them.
What ever happened to all of these baby boomers that were supposed to be retiring soon?
 
Majors...Hmmm

bgaviator said:
So after reading the comments from some people posting on the various forums who are doing dispatch....they almost make it sound like it is impossible to get on dispatching with a major airline. One person said that you easily end up working for a regional for 10 years, maxing out at $35k.
Certainly I can't imagine this to be the whole truth, right?
I mean, a lot probably depends on how much you try to get into the major airline, via making contacts, just putting your application in, letting your supervisors know you're interested in moving up, etc. etc.
It can't possibly be that no one is hiring dispatchers at the majors.....although you do never see any postings for them.
What ever happened to all of these baby boomers that were supposed to be retiring soon?
Click to expand...

You have said a mouthful my friend...Lets go back in time, say 7 to 10 years....The regionals were and I stress "were" the training grounds for the major airline dispatchers...but even then there were very very few openings...just like today, those jobs are filled by networking between managers and friends and dispatch recomendations...

The dispatchers at the majors, are not going anywhere very soon..most have taken large paycuts as their companies try to get out of BK, or avoid it....so those that may have been considering retirement before are now staying a few more years... So now the openings are snapped up internaly or filled with lightning speed by drawer fulls of applicants being pushed up by internal contacts...no need to advertise much...

The word major is now associated with success, not so much the money as in the golden days. SWA, Airtran, JB, to name a few...they hire once in awile but the have there same old ways of selecting and very high experience requirements 5 to 8 years of 121 desk time is probably not far off...also you can expect to make about $30k to start there...getting to the $60's to $70's area in 10 to 15 years...no more 6 figures....

So getting back to the regional dispatchers...since the majors have so few openings, the regional are no longer just a stepping stone, they have become more of a career...this goes for the Pilots as well...you see there posts all the time running the same theme as this one....Way back when I was with a DElta owned regional..we were flat told, there was no flow through to Delta..none....that was way before 911...so dont expect it to be better these days....it's not. I am a big advocate to see this change as my son is entering the regional dispatch market, I believe the regionals should make themself more attractive as a career destination instead of treating all their employess as temporary workers...give them all a reason to remain loyal and stay for the duration....

I was one of the last lucky ones to transition from a Regional to several cargo carriers then on to majors position through the application process, that was 9 years ago...In that time I have seen just a small number if new hires....I dx buddy of mine at UAL says they have hired alot of FIC's over the past few years, but they are pretty stuck in that position...(FIC= Flight information clerks) the pay around 40 up to the 50's in time....

Good luck in your search
 
NWA has hired at least 10 in the last 5 months, a couple of those were recalls. I know for sure that 2 of them have ZERO or close to zero experience Dispatching. One was hired straight from Dx school. So if you're willing to put up with the BS at a major... the opportunities are out there!
 
What?

There are plenty of majors hiring from time to time. I have made a big leap myself. The list would be shorter who is not hiring. Needs lot of research and effort put into it.
 
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I worked at 3 regionals and a cargo carrier for a total of 10 years before I was offered a job at a major. I might have been able to get hired earlier than that. I don't know because I never really did a full job search. I didn't network, nor did I know anybody at a major. I would just check the airline's employment web page from time to time and apply when I saw an opening. I also used AEPS earlier in my career. Instead of networking, I focused on developing my skills and credentials. I didn't just dispatch. I also spent three years as an instructor/check dispatcher, and another couple of years as a supervisor. My thinking was that it is a diverse resume that gets pulled from the pile. It worked for me. I have either interviewed, or been offered jobs, at Air Tran, Alaska, Continental, Southwest, and UPS.
 
....cargo

I would love to work for UPS or Fedex....that is like my dream job....I just NEVER see postings for them hiring dispatchers. I have heard for UPS at least you have to already work for the company sorting boxes or something first. I work with a guy who used to sort boxes for them back in high school, and he is thinking that could be his way in to their dispatch center....anyone have an inside information on this?
 
UPS, at least awhile ago was hiring quite regularly. The key is you have to start as a Notams clerk. You could be in this postion for a month or a year, but I think even they make mid 30's. A DX starts at 50k and can top out at over 100k.... Fed Ex is very hard to get on at, in fact you rarely see anyone from there post on these boards....
 
there you go ups is hiring right now

Assistant Dispatcher
spacer.gif
Requisition #22203128
Air Operations
LOUISVILLE, KY
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Assistant Dispatcher will support the Aircraft Dispatcher, disseminate information for the operation and update and maintain systems and manuals. This is an entry level position which has potential of filling future UPS Aircraft Dispatcher positions in a growing global market.
All applicants must possess the following basic qualifications:
​
    • FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate
    • Basic air carrier operations control knowledge from FAR Part 135, 119 or 121 Domestic, Flag or Supplemental operation or similar military experience
    • International aircraft dispatching experience
Ideal candidate will possess the following:
​
    • Associates degree in an aviation related field
    • Strong communication skills
    • Technical aptitude and computer skills
Position is located in Louisville, KY without company-paid relocation funds.
​
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Possess a valid FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate
  • Minimum of three (3) years experience regarding basic air carrier operations control knowledge from a Part 135, 119 or 121 Domestic, Flag or Supplemental operation or similar military experience
OTHER CRITERIA:
Employer will not sponsor visas for position.
There is no relocation available for this position.

UPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, m/f/d/v
 
Ups

Thanks a lot for that link! I'm sure I don't have the experience they're looking for yet, but I still may apply...who knows what could happen.
 
Ups continues to grow, SDF hub under another major expansion and projected Intl growth. Due to new lines being added for this years bid (april2007), 3 assistant dsipactchers are being upgraded. Can only speak for my experience, but one interview (panel of three) and one on-line personality assessment.
 
bgaviator said:
I would love to work for UPS or Fedex....that is like my dream job....I just NEVER see postings for them hiring dispatchers. I have heard for UPS at least you have to already work for the company sorting boxes or something first. I work with a guy who used to sort boxes for them back in high school, and he is thinking that could be his way in to their dispatch center....anyone have an inside information on this?
Click to expand...

fedex does NOT hire externally. your best shot at fedex is to start throwing boxes somewhere. after 6-12 months you can bid on jobs. there are usually a few job openings every year. 1 of the guys that was just hired is 25 and has less than a year of dispatch experience.
 
.....fedex

maybe throwing boxes is the way to go...part time at least....I don't think you have to work for UPS to get on with them.
 
JB is going to hire 3 more this year...I got hired with one year expeirience...starting is 50K, top out is in the 80's after 10 years, i commute from the Midwest, 50K goes pretty far in the midwest, but not very far in NYC.
 
I've commuted between ICT and ORD weekly since June. I've been lucky and haven't had many problems. My schedule varies between 4-3 and 4-4. I'd hate to try it on a 5-2 schedule.
 
we work 5-3-5, but should be going to 4-4 soon. Haven't had too many problems getting to work, we are in CASS, that helps out a lot.
 
ss9e said:
fedex does NOT hire externally. your best shot at fedex is to start throwing boxes somewhere. after 6-12 months you can bid on jobs. there are usually a few job openings every year. 1 of the guys that was just hired is 25 and has less than a year of dispatch experience.
Click to expand...

Now tell me how THAT makes any sense?:angryfire

You have a TON of experienced Dispatchers out there that can bring true quality with their experience and they go hire someone with less than a year experience just because he threw boxes!

So much for paying your dues guys, just go throw some boxes or bags to get a Dispatch job!

And whats worse is you guys allow them to do that rather than say you want experience working side by side w/you.

Pathetic!
 
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MAN that still fuels my fire! That is what keeps our profession down for the sake of some good 'ol boy system within a company.

Not to just bash FedEx since Delta and Southwest do the same damn thing. Do you think they would hire a pilot since he threw boxes? Would Delta or Southwest hire a baggage handler as pilot over an experience pilot?

So why do we, as Dispatchers, punish those who have paid their dues and gained experience for the sake of politics?

I for one voice my opinion for that practice to STOP because it only hurts Dispatchers,their career and allow management to keep viewing our job as low grade.
 
I can see pros and cons to each side of this hiring practice but I am not going to risk carpal tunnel to post my opinions because the decision is not ours.
Hiring practices are set by management.
 
asqmatt said:
Delta is hiring right now for 5 spots, but they are taking 3 from ASA, and 2 from comair.
Click to expand...

good to see there is flow through there now. That was what I was looking for when I first hired on with ASA. Went on to much greener pastures since then. So I guess I am wrong about Delta hiring without experience, but they were that way when I was at ASA. If Southwest and FedEx can change their ways maybe paying your dues will mean something again.
 
shooter said:
Do you think they would hire a pilot since he threw boxes? Would Delta or Southwest hire a baggage handler as pilot over an experience pilot?
Click to expand...

fedex posts pilot jobs internally all the time. i know pilots that were handlers, mechanics and dispatchers within the company. paying your dues doesn't always mean dispatching for 10 years at a regional. it also means getting a job at a regional and thowing bags/boxes for a major. i worked 7 days a week for over a year to get the experience needed to get my job. why sit around and wait for a job to go external? why not bust your @ss at 2 jobs for a year or so and get your "dream job"? show some effort.
 
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ss9e said:
fedex posts pilot jobs internally all the time. i know pilots that were handlers, mechanics and dispatchers within the company. paying your dues doesn't always mean dispatching for 10 years at a regional. it also means getting a job at a regional and thowing bags/boxes for a major. i worked 7 days a week for over a year to get the experience needed to get my job. why sit around and wait for a job to go external? why not bust your @ss at 2 jobs for a year or so and get your "dream job"? show some effort.
Click to expand...

yeah, like the 25 year old with less than a year experience?

seems you missed the point
 

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