I am convinced I'm stuck

[Kittyhawk1048]

Real World no BS

I got my dispatch license in 2003 and I have worked at 2 regionals and 1 cargo carrier. When I left dispatching in 2007 and tried to get back into it in 2009 it was IMPOSSIBLE to do so.

That working at FDX in hopes of getting on in dispatch is a pipe dream, there are so many people that are already in the system that are doing just that I know of 4 right now that have been working for FDX for more than 2 years, still waiting.

Look at other ways to use your dispatch license I have been in Airport Operations at ORD for 3 years now I am not saying that it is as fun as dispatching but at least you are at the airport instead of a office with no windows (LOL) and also most times you are working for the airport itself so, no flight benefits but the job is stable I think that the job pays alot more than dispatching at a regional does.

Look into dispatching lifeflight helicopters it is quote unquote a flight follower but I think that companies like this have to call us that because they really dont require them. Most have good medical benefits and schedules are 7 on 7 off

When I got out of dispatch school in 2003 I thought the same thing that you did I got my ticket sky is the limit. As you have found out things are not as they seem.

Any more questions PM me

 

[Kittyhawk1048]

clr4theapch I agree with you the schools do promise the 6 figures but I have yet to see them, nowadays looks like dispatchers are getting stuck in the regionals.

I may not be as seasoned as you but I know what you mean it looks like if you get out of dispatch and you have some years with a regional forget about getting back in. Looks like companies want the younger crowd.

I think that the key is looking to other ways to use our license.

 

[airbrush]

I can't claim to have done an extensive, nation-wide search of all EMS operations, but I've tried a few over the past couple of years. I even got my EMT certification in hopes that it would make me more marketable, and I also thought the 2006 NTSB recommendation that they staff communications centers with more dispatch-licensed people might boost my chances.

But so far, no dice; it seems that the EMS business is very insular. They would rather hire a guy they know who used to run with their ambulance company because "he's a good guy and a good paramedic", instead of a guy who understands aviation weather, aircraft performance, FAA regs, etc. I did work for one operator for a few months (casual status), and the lack of aviation knowledge was stunning. Despite the fact that they're dispatching helicopters in the middle of the night in marginal weather, they still value the medical skills and knowledge more highly than the ability to anticipate the pilot's needs and provide accurate and timely information. I guess the only consolation is that most of these places still only pay slightly better than the average regional airline, so it's not like you're going to get rich. There was also the typical issue that you face with the airlines....they are often located in expensive areas (i.e., Falls Church, VA), while not paying NEARLY enough to make it work.

Not trying to be Dr. Gloom...just passing along what I've seen.

Look into dispatching lifeflight helicopters it is quote unquote a flight follower but I think that companies like this have to call us that because they really dont require them. Most have good medical benefits and schedules are 7 on 7 off

 

[Kittyhawk1048]

Here is a website I go to often for Airport Ops jobs your dispatch license goes a long way I've found in this field.

http://careercenter.aaae.org/jobs

 

[OneBadLT123]

A family friend of mine who has his ADX got into the oil business at an oil refinery near Houston monitoring the systems and petroleum movement within the factory. He got out of the aviation business years ago and has been there since while making a decent living it seems.

How to find jobs like that though, I have no idea.

Then there is the rail option, but even that has been pretty shaky at times.

 

[Kittyhawk1048]

I tried the rail option a few years ago I had an interview at Indiana Railroad in HUF. I got the vibe from the interview that they were only looking for people that had rail experience. This maybe an industry that if you start working for them as lets say as conductor and a dispatch position comes up you maybe a good fit

 

[bgaviator]

When I interviewed at Continental, the dispatcher I was observing was telling me they had quite a few guys leave to do the Oil Pipeline Controller thing.....I guess they would come back from their interviews with big gift baskets as well. I actually got a call from a recruiter from Sunoco Logistics once who said she saw my profile on Monster, and thought I would be a good fit. Well, I was a little skeptical of someone just randomly calling me, I didn't know anything about Oil Pipeline work, and I was still trying to get into 121 dispatching........wow, am I kicking myself now.

A family friend of mine who has his ADX got into the oil business at an oil refinery near Houston monitoring the systems and petroleum movement within the factory. He got out of the aviation business years ago and has been there since while making a decent living it seems.

How to find jobs like that though, I have no idea.

Then there is the rail option, but even that has been pretty shaky at times.

 

[lithstrip]

The rail option is going to be very viable in afew years as the railroads have large numbers of retirements coming. In dispatch as well as in T&E, can be good money if you don't mind the extra board

I've been working for a Shortline here in Iowa for 2 years now and I can tell you from experience someone with ADX experience will have no trouble making the transition to rail. I have 2 friends who work for a class one, one was a dispatcher and the other a crew scheduler, neither had much trouble that I know of. If you're interested in rail keep plugging at it

 

[airbrush]

I've heard mixed reviews on the transition to rail; some like it, some don't. I recently interviewed with Norfolk Southern on the recommendation of a couple of former pilots I used to work with who are both there now (one is management, the other is a dispatcher). I didn't get the position this time, as the candidate pool was apparently very tough; but I was encouraged to try again, as they said I was well qualified. My biggest concern was more emotional rather than technical...I'm an aviation guy through and through, and I've never had any fascination with trains whatsoever. The idea of being immersed in a world where I must learn tons of new things that I've never cared about before, and spend thousands of hours in that world over the next 10-15 years, was a little intimidating. But the pilot who now works dispatch said he thought I could do the job without question, and the pay was far better than any airline dispatch job that I've seen in many years (short of getting on at a major, but we all know how easy that is these days). Still a viable option for those interested. I intend to keep trying, as I believe that is a far better avenue to provide for my family and eventual retirement than I'll ever see in the airline biz. Hurts to say it, but that's the reality I see.

 

[8sm]

The rail retirement is fantastic. The airline travel benefits maybe free but the rail pension makes a confirmed seat affordable everytime time you have the urge to go.

 

[Kittyhawk1048]

That was an awesome response. I agree with you a confirmed seat feels nice.

 

[bgaviator]

I applied recently to a Class 1 rail dispatch position, and I got a rejection letter the next morning! There was a grueling online assessment test that I wasn't prepared to do, but the deadline was that day. I have also applied to Norfolk Southern a few times, and have gotten rejection letters each time....maybe with the tight economy they can afford to be picky and only take on people with previous rail experience?

 

[WalterSobchak]

I have also applied to Norfolk Southern a few times, and have gotten rejection letters each time....maybe with the tight economy they can afford to be picky and only take on people with previous rail experience?

As with most things...it's who you know, not what you know. My 23 year-old cousin makes twice what I make as a rail dispatcher. My uncle has been with BNSF for 30+ years, so getting his daughter hired was cake.

I was essentially told that, without some kind of internal push like that, it doesn't really matter how qualified you are.

 

[zzbaron]

At least once a year I see a posting from the US Forest Service for aircraft dispatchers based in a few different cities in Alaska. I always think it would be fun to live in Sitka or Ketchikan but the pay is between 35-55k. I don’t think that would be enough money to live on especially if you have a family.

Also, it looks like Allegiant is hiring dispatchers if anyone is looking for a job.

http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epos...n=1&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=976344&startflag=1#

 

[Squirrel29]

At least once a year I see a posting from the US Forest Service for aircraft dispatchers based in a few different cities in Alaska. I always think it would be fun to live in Sitka or Ketchikan but the pay is between 35-55k. I don’t think that would be enough money to live on especially if you have a family.

Also, it looks like Allegiant is hiring dispatchers if anyone is looking for a job.

http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epos...n=1&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=976344&startflag=1#

Knew a guy that went up there. They paid for his moving expenses and it is a government job not a bad option. $35000 is tight up there but doable plus if you plan to stay up there you can get the permanent dividend fund. Havent talked to him in along time so dont know if he is still doing it.