Where to go to Dispatcher school?
- Thread starter E6Birdman
- Start date
Luigi
Well-Known Member
Ummm kind of makes me feel ridiculous having just spent $4,000 on school. Oh well it'll be worth in a few weeks I'm sure!
womanpilot73
Well-Known Member
MT said:
I am also skeptical. It's so far from the norm. Any of you newbies looking into dispatch school, let us know what you find on the bottom line of this program. Also, keep in mind that it seems to be a brand new program. I'd advise doing your homework before committing to any new program. There are definite benefits to going to a well known school. The programs are tried and true and produce dispatchers. I'd personally be a bit nervous to go somewhere that has yet to hold a dispatch course. But that's just me.
SpaceBeagle
Located in Low Earth Orbit
Agreed! I would definitely be concerned about the quality of the course...and I wonder if it is actually FAA approved and follows the regs. A search of the school's website is inconclusive. I personally would stick to this list: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...s200/branches/afs220/courses/media/part65.pdf
nyk
Well-Known Member
I think thats probably an additional $800 to what your already paying for in tution. You might have to be an enrolled student to attend. At my college you could take the dispatch course for 12 credits but the cost wasn't any different then normally scheduled classes and there was nobody that wasn't already enrolled in the college in those classes. Just my .02 cents. I didnt know delta offers dispatch a course. How long have they been doing that?
Troy McClure
Ah say boy...Whattcha got there son?
Dear Derg, and other Authoritative Figures,
how can we move this thread or attach it to the Newbie FAQ Thread??? Im new to this too....but this had been asked 4000 times in the last few years.
how can we move this thread or attach it to the Newbie FAQ Thread??? Im new to this too....but this had been asked 4000 times in the last few years.
MT
Well-Known Member
This thread or another like it is linked in question #1 in the FAQ
Phil Schuyler
Well-Known Member
I'm going to offer a different perspective and say "It doesn't matter where you go to school." Pick the school that works for you and your circumstances. In Dispatch school, like every other type of school, you basically learn the language of the profession; meaning you acquire some basic skills which will be enough to get your started at your first job. From there you gain experience, and continue to learn. It's been my experience that the length of your resume is not nearly as important as the breadth. In other words, the variety of experiences and skills you have is much more important than how many releases you have generated.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
It is true that you learn the vast majority of how to dispatch after you have been hired, from actually doing the job. However, a good foundation is very important. Being well-prepared by the school you go to can also help you get that first job. Choose carefully and find a school that you think will be a good fit for you and that you can work hard at. If you can get your license while getting your college degree, great. If you live down the street from a school that you like, great. I personally chose Sheffield because they had the best reputation in the industry and were at the time, the only non-university VA approved school that I could find. I recommend them highly, but I am also not saying that attending there is the only way to become a successful dispatcher. That being said - I am very glad I went there and proud to be a Sheffield alum.
MT
Well-Known Member
I'm gonna disagree with that camp until the day I die. Your school selection may mean less and less as you get more experience, but for the new guy he carries the weight and reputation of his school and as much as some deny it, that holds weight for the new guy. How can't it? If a new dispatcher has yet to accomplish anything, the airline can only go by the expected product from the dispatch schools.
The schools prove their merit during airline initial training as well. You can see a huge overall difference in the potential of each student based on where they went to school. Granted, there are exceptions on both ends of the spectrum but in general some prepare you better for your first job than others.
Now if your life circumstances prevent you from going to one of the big three, then obviously I would go to one of the less reputable if it fits better for you. But to completely refudiate that your dispatch school matters I feel is completely wrong.
It's a choice that affects the rest of your career and it should be given the same weight and respect as any other major life decision.
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Phil Schuyler
Well-Known Member
Reading this thread, it occurred to me that an apples to apples comparison of this school vs. that school is only possible if someone has gone to more than one school? Anyone here done that?
That said, all I can offer is this: In all my interviews and job offers I've never had anyone look at my resume, say "You went to such and such dispatch school?" and then whistle like he was impressed.
That said, all I can offer is this: In all my interviews and job offers I've never had anyone look at my resume, say "You went to such and such dispatch school?" and then whistle like he was impressed.
CPZ9900
Well-Known Member
Agreed. They don't care as much as a certain someone on here tries to preach. Not once have they ever inquired about what dispatch school I went to. If you know what you are doing, then you know what you are doing. It's as simple as that.
womanpilot73
Well-Known Member
Phil Schuyler said:
I still stick with my original advice...choose a school that has a history. One that's been doing this a while and has a record of producing quality dispatchers. Choosing a brand new program is not something I would want to do. It takes a while to work out the kinks and bugs of any new operation.