Question re: getting back into the dispatch profession

K

Kfrans

New Member
Hi,
From 2001 to 2007, I worked as a military flight dispatcher. First as a soldier and then as a D.A. Civilian. Because of a back issue at the time I had to medically retire. I miss it so much and my health is much better now. I'm 41 and wondering if it would be worth going to school to get an FAA flight dispatch certificate. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Right now I work as a security guard making $14/hr. Oh and I'm in Denver, CO.
Thanks!
 
Hi Kfrans! Welcome! I just turned 41 and got my DX license 2 years ago after years off with a back injury. So...it can be done and I'm happy I did! Working and enjoying it! Given that you're in DEN, Jeppesen is a great option. I went there and found the education to be very good. If you have further questions, feel free to PM me. :-)
 
Definitely worth it!! Especially if it's something you love, which you've indicated it is. I may be mistaken but I think I read on here somewhere that Frontier is moving their ops center back to Denver from Indianapolis (and please anyone correct me if i'm wrong on that). If I do remember that correctly, there's a good local opportunity for you! And you've still got time for a nice 20+ year dispatch career!
 
F9DXER said:
Yep F9 dispatch is back in DEN. There is also Key Lime Air plus Jeppesen themselves
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Good to know! What does F9 start DXers at and what kind of schedules do they have? We've got friends in the DEN area and wonder if I should keep them on my radar.
 
Another option...There are also a few supplemental Part 121 airlines remaining that do a lot of military transport on behalf of CARF. You would have a good advantage already being familiar with military ops.
 
Everyone, thank you so much for the replies! It's definitely encouraging. I'm starting a new job next week but am definitely going to look into getting my dispatch license at Jeppesen. The clock is running short on my military education benefits but I'm gonna see if I can use those for dispatch school.
 
FWIW, I got out of dispatch in 2002, and aviation in 2007. Three years later, I was back in. I was lucky and had a good job with a good company. Could have stayed (outside of aviation) with minimal effort. So I get where you are coming from. This love we share with aviation is really a genetic disorder. :)
 
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LOL, I definitely agree that it's a genetic disorder. I never thought I'd fall in love with aviation the way I did way back when I joined the army at age 27 as an air traffic controller. My years in dispatch and operations were some of the best in my life. I'm so thankful to have found this forum. Thanks again to everyone for the encouragement and replies!
 
Kfrans said:
How do I get in touch with F9? Do they have a website?
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I have reached out to a friend to try to get you some info. I'll let you know if they are able to provide any details.
 
Kfrans said:
LOL, I definitely agree that it's a genetic disorder. I never thought I'd fall in love with aviation the way I did way back when I joined the army at age 27 as an air traffic controller. My years in dispatch and operations were some of the best in my life. I'm so thankful to have found this forum. Thanks again to everyone for the encouragement and replies!
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Former Mil ATC here. Just so you know airline dispatch is far more complex than military base ops, and also very different than ATC. Your background will help you in innumerable ways, but this is a 100% completely different career field. There are indescrible ways that your military training will help you as a dispatcher, especially in stressful decision making. PM if anytime you would like, brother. I didn't have enough gas money to drive back home from dispatch school back in the day when I used that awesome GI Bill, so there is a soft spot in my heart for those in your boots.
 
69beers said:
Former Mil ATC here. Just so you know airline dispatch is far more complex than military base ops, and also very different than ATC. Your background will help you in innumerable ways, but this is a 100% completely different career field. There are indescrible ways that your military training will help you as a dispatcher, especially in stressful decision making. PM if anytime you would like, brother. I didn't have enough gas money to drive back home from dispatch school back in the day when I used that awesome GI Bill, so there is a soft spot in my heart for those in your boots.
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Thanks. I do realize that airline dispatch is completely different from the experience that I have, as well as way more involved.
 
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