Best way to get to the majors as a dispatcher

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Brett Pettit

Well-Known Member
I am currently working for a supplemental cargo airline and I’m trying to plan out how to get to the major airlines. Right now I’m getting international dispatching experience which includes ETOPS and NATS experience. I also have a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration. What I’m trying to decide is if this company is helping me get to the major airlines or if I need to get a dispatcher job for regional airline. And if I need to go to the regional airlines, how long should I work for my current company. If someone can give me some advice that would be great!
 
You're probably better off staying where you're at now, as long as your company is financially stable. Just keep an eye out and apply at every major opening you see that interests you.

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Don't have my name =P
Seriously though you're in a far better position where you are than your counterpart at a regional. I second manniax's advice. I'm considering leaving the regional I'm at to get the experience you are getting.
 
Thanks for the advice. I was told by someone that majors don't consider cargo experience. They said if I went the cargo route I would have to stay in cargo and could not use that experience towards the major passenger airlines. So thats good to know...
 
Brett Pettit said:
Thanks for the advice. I was told by someone that majors don't consider cargo experience. They said if I went the cargo route I would have to stay in cargo and could not use that experience towards the major passenger airlines. So thats good to know...
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I've never heard that, not that I've ever been a hiring manager. Of course, UPS and FedEx both would be good places to wind up ultimately aslso. I have known more than one person who got hired by a legacy carrier after first working at a supplemental so I don't think whoever told you that knew what they were talking about.
 
One really positive avenue for you to pursue is just simple networking; the more people you meet and talk to, the more information you can get about recent and upcoming hiring preferences. While companies have posted hiring minimums, there is not always an (x + y) = HIRED! type of equation that covers all of your bases. Hiring managers want the best person for the job. At my company internal applicants are guaranteed interviews for positions they are qualified for, but we will still hire externally if there are stronger candidates. Part of any application and interview process is SELLING YOURSELF. If you've figured out part 91 or 135 regs, are 121 regs super cosmic?

Brett Pettit said:
I was told by someone that majors don't consider cargo experience. They said if I went the cargo route I would have to stay in cargo and could not use that experience towards the major passenger airlines. So thats good to know...
Click to expand...

One thing I've learned after a few years; don't ever let one or two people speak for "the majors" or any other large group of hiring managers.

As far as your original question of going to the regionals; what would you really gain from going there, beyond checking the box that you've dispatched a flight under part 121? I'm not sure how it works at other places, but my company has a history of hiring pilot and flight attendant schedulers into Dispatch, so that's also an avenue you might consider.
 
I got the impression that Brett was working at a Part 121 supplemental carrier. If he is at a 135 operation, then it might indeed be wise to get some 121 dispatching experience at a regional. Otherwise he's probably better off to stay where he's at until he gets "the call."
 
manniax said:
I've never heard that, not that I've ever been a hiring manager. Of course, UPS and FedEx both would be good places to wind up ultimately aslso. I have known more than one person who got hired by a legacy carrier after first working at a supplemental so I don't think whoever told you that knew what they were talking about.
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And one of my co-workers, with just a few years more experience that I have, got picked up by UPS after RIA closed it's doors. Anything is possible!
 
I am currently working for a supplemental cargo airline and I’m trying to plan out how to get to the major airlines. Right now I’m getting international dispatching experience which includes ETOPS and NATS experience. I also have a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration. What I’m trying to decide is if this company is helping me get to the major airlines or if I need to get a dispatcher job for regional airline. And if I need to go to the regional airlines, how long should I work for my current company. If someone can give me some advice that would be great!
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I went from a regional to a supplemental Passenger op, to a supplemental cargo operation which is where I am currently still employed. The interviews that I have been on seem to like the international experience. The only airline which was more focused on my 121 Scheduled operations vs. 121 Supplemental was Southwest. If you can avoid going to a regional and earn your bones by working for supplemental that is my advice.

I was told by someone that majors don't consider cargo experience. They said if I went the cargo route I would have to stay in cargo and could not use that experience towards the major passenger airlines. So thats good to know...
Click to expand...
I have never heard of this before either. Working for Cargo though does give you a leg up IMO for interviews with the "big boys" in the cargo world i.e. UPS/FedEx.
If you have any questions or want to talk PM me.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice. I do work at a part 121 supplemental. So I will just stay put here for a few years. Thanks again
 
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Brett Pettit said:
I am currently working for a supplemental cargo airline and I’m trying to plan out how to get to the major airlines. Right now I’m getting international dispatching experience which includes ETOPS and NATS experience. I also have a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration. What I’m trying to decide is if this company is helping me get to the major airlines or if I need to get a dispatcher job for regional airline. And if I need to go to the regional airlines, how long should I work for my current company. If someone can give me some advice that would be great!
Click to expand...


As a former Supplemental cargo/passenger dispatcher with a few years of ETOPS and heavy experience who is now at a major and at one time did work for a regional I would suggest you never go back to a regional. Your time will come when someone recognizes your airline and experience. It took me some time and a lot of "you work for who?" but eventually my current boss knew my airline from another lifetime when he ran a rival supplemental carriers SOC and recognized the kind of work we do. The pay cut and QOL you would get going back to a regional would be really discouraging in my opinion, just hang in there and you never know who will stumble on your resume one day.

One thing I will say is that at a lot of the majors experience can mean everything or it can mean jack SH*T. They say they want all this experience yet I see it all the time where they hire internal ramp rats or crew schedulers without a day of actual dispatching experience. Im not saying those who work their way up in a company do not deserve a good job any less than another person but it just proves this industry is primarily who you know, not what you know. NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK!
 
Brett Pettit said:
What are some ways that I can network? I agree that networking is very important.
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I've made several contacts on here, one which led me to a tour and eventually an interview and job offer. That very networking led me to my next job as well. It's not just making contacts, but maintaining those contacts and making connections along the way through those contacts. Meet as many people as you can and stay in touch. Show you're motivated by taking the initiative and display a positive attitude and that you're eager to learn and interested in their airline. Join ADF and make contacts there - stay in touch with them. It takes effort, but it pays off. In this industry, so much of it is who you know. Recommendations from current employees goes a long way! And I've actually made some friends out of these contacts...one can never have too many friends! :-)
 
Thanks again for the advice. I've have been making plans on where to go next and everyone has helped. One more question... Where is the best place to keep an eye out for job postings?
 
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