Mental Refreshment

R2D

R2D

ACK
As some of you may know, I start my career as a major airline dispatcher soon. I skipped the regional route and know I missed out on some valuable experience. It has been nearly a year and a half since I got my license and I haven't used a lot of what I learned in my day-to-day job. However, what I learned is still in my head somewhere, but all mixed up with the non-important stuff.

Basically, what are some topics, rules, or procedures that I should push back to the forefront of my brain mush? I know what you guys suggest to me is in my head somewhere, it just isn't currently filed in the right place. I'd like to be prepared as possible for the big day.

Thanks in advance.
 
Congrats on the job!

I know I am not the most experienced here but if I had to recommend things to focus on I would start with the 1,2,3 rule, deriving alternate mins, weather theory, FAR's, and being familiar with jepp charts and approach plates. Knowing all of these well will make you an acceptable dispatcher in my opinion. Everything else you will either be trained on or you will be trained where to find the information. I feel that a good majority of the job is not knowing all of the information but knowing where to find the information in a timely manner. Also you will have tons of experienced dispatchers there to help you out as well.
 
If you skipped the regional, do you have any 121 dx experience? If not, your stepping over all of those that have years in it still waiting for our break at the majors. You probably don't want to advertise that a lot; you won't make a lot of friends in this field taking the "bypass" route and their are those of us that do not take this lightly. Pilots, Flight Attendants and mechanics all have to put there time in climbing the later in their trade to make to destination gig, it should be that way for dispatch as it is licensed position like the others requiring the skills that can only be built through experience.
 
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What major are you starting with? It's good information for those following in your footsteps, or attempting to.
 
All bitching and griping aside regarding your extremely good luck, if you have questions, I guarantee some regional dispatcher here who has been trying to get to a major for years can answer it.
 
Why all the negativity? This is GREAT news. It gives everyone a chance based on pure skill- not the silly misconception of years of experience. I can only hope the positive karma you received translates to my goal of American by years end.
 
Hey, R2D check out the "DX recurrent training with flamingo " thread. It has a lot of the info you are looking for. Congrats and good luck


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CRJInTheHeartOfTexas said:
Why all the negativity? This is GREAT news. It gives everyone a chance based on pure skill- not the silly misconception of years of experience. I can only hope the positive karma you received translates to my goal of American by years end.
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It's clearly not based on "pure skill" since he doesn't have dispatching experience. Best guess as someone else pointed out is that he's an internal hire. And good for him... It's a great opportunity! We should all be congratulating him!

Needing experience as an external hire isn't a "silly misconception" as you stated above. It's a requirement, as you'll see if you get your license and start applying for jobs. Most airline's application process will automatically boot your application if you don't meet their experience requirement.

Unless you are an internal hire already holding a potential upcoming position with American, I'd plan on paying your dues like the majority of us. If you get on with American or any other major by the end of the year, I'll personally buy you a congratulatory beer. But first, you must get a license. Figure out those weight and balance calculations yet?
 
Thanks for the information, guys. Yes, I am am internal hire. I'm not here advertising that I jumped over people and that is certainly not my intention. I just feel like I missed out on a good deal of experience. I know my company will take that into account, and I am not worried about being successful, but I want to be as prepared as possible. Sorry if all that came out wrong.

I'll browse through some wx, approach plates, and the FARs in my spare time. It seems like I should just re-focus on the big picture things (wx, regs, etc.).

So the ASA Oral Exam Guide is a good buy? Looks like I can get it in ebook, which is helpful.
 
Remember - even though an internal candidate may not have dispatch experience, they have something that is readily available that an external candidate can't easily provide. That is the company knows who this person is. Their work history, attitude, and personality are the 3 most obvious ones. The most knowledgable dispatcher in the world will not get hired anywhere if any of those 3 components are lacking in any aspect.

I lost out to internal candidates for several job openings. I may not have agreed with it at that time but it makes one look in the mirror and learn what one can do better.
 
Master the basics - the blocking and tackling stuff.

I'd focus on NOTAMs, weather products, approach plates, enroute charts, etc.
 
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CPZ9900 said:
What major are you starting with? It's good information for those following in your footsteps, or attempting to.
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I won't name the company, but I'll say you don't have to be a manager, supervisor, or other OCC type person to get the job.
 
Lieutenant Dan said:
Congrats on the job!

I know I am not the most experienced here but if I had to recommend things to focus on I would start with the 1,2,3 rule, deriving alternate mins, weather theory, FAR's, and being familiar with jepp charts and approach plates. Knowing all of these well will make you an acceptable dispatcher in my opinion. Everything else you will either be trained on or you will be trained where to find the information. I feel that a good majority of the job is not knowing all of the information but knowing where to find the information in a timely manner. Also you will have tons of experienced dispatchers there to help you out as well.
Click to expand...


This is the best advice.

If you don't know the regs, how to derive alternate minimums and using the 1-2-3 rule you won't last long. Also study the Jepp Charts enroute and Approach plates. Once you get in class you will see what you are weak in ask for help and don't be afraid to ask questions. You are there to learn before you get on the floor.
 
R2D said:
Thanks for the information, guys. Yes, I am am internal hire. I'm not here advertising that I jumped over people and that is certainly not my intention. I just feel like I missed out on a good deal of experience. I know my company will take that into account, and I am not worried about being successful, but I want to be as prepared as possible. Sorry if all that came out wrong. I'll browse through some wx, approach plates, and the FARs in my spare time. It seems like I should just re-focus on the big picture things (wx, regs, etc.). So the ASA Oral Exam Guide is a good buy? Looks like I can get it in ebook, which is helpful.
Click to expand...

First of all, congratulations! Nothing came out wrong in your initial post; I think maybe some just didn't think about you being an internal hire.

I wouldn't bother with the ASA Oral Exam Guide. That was great for me when I was prepping for an interview and written test at said interview but you've already got the job. Brush up on regs, wx, etc... Dig into your company manuals and Ops Specs while you're waiting. Your airline is going to put you through a thorough initial training so you'll learn what you need to know in class and on the desk during training. I wouldn't waste any money on books...everything you need is available for free online but your best resource will be digging into the company manuals. Ask for access if you don't already have it and study away.

Again, congrats! :-)
 
womanpilot73 said:
First of all, congratulations! Nothing came out wrong in your initial post; I think maybe some just didn't think about you being an internal hire.

I wouldn't bother with the ASA Oral Exam Guide. That was great for me when I was prepping for an interview and written test at said interview but you've already got the job. Brush up on regs, wx, etc... Dig into your company manuals and Ops Specs while you're waiting. Your airline is going to put you through a thorough initial training so you'll learn what you need to know in class and on the desk during training. I wouldn't waste any money on books...everything you need is available for free online but your best resource will be digging into the company manuals. Ask for access if you don't already have it and study away.

Again, congrats! :)
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Thanks again. I have access to some company manuals and have been browsing those. I need to brush up a little on wx. Interpreting the charts is not a problem, but I think I've forgotten some of the 'why' behind it.
 
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