First OCC Visit

[Pilot121]

I recently got to tour an OCC and shadow a dispatcher for a while (thanks to a fellow JC member ); all I can say is WOW!! I had no idea just how fast paced dispatching is, and the extent to which multi-tasking skills are used. Seeing the dispatch operation first hand made me even more excited to dispatch! I also loved the big picture and "behind the scenes" aspect that dispatchers get to experience as opposed to pilots who are only concerned with their specific flight. Simply put, I can't wait to begin my dispatch training... I just have to wait a while until I turn 23

Happy dispatching!

 

[Atc89]

I recently got to tour an OCC and shadow a dispatcher for a while (thanks to a fellow JC member ); all I can say is WOW!! I had no idea just how fast paced dispatching is, and the extent to which multi-tasking skills are used. Seeing the dispatch operation first hand made me even more excited to dispatch! I also loved the big picture and "behind the scenes" aspect that dispatchers get to experience as opposed to pilots who are only concerned with their specific flight. Simply put, I can't wait to begin my dispatch training... I just have to wait a while until I turn 23

Happy dispatching!

Awesome! Just as a side note... you do not have to wait until your are 23 to start training, or even to take your oral and practical (just 21 I believe). You just won't get your license until you are 23. We have a flight follower that took her test and had to wait a few months until her birthday before she actually got her license. Also, just as an idea....some places hire positions like coordinators that do not require a license. Can be a pretty good gig if you are waiting for a birthday, that way you can learn the job and slide right on over after you have gotten your license. Best of luck to you and welcome to the industry!!

 

[MT]

Awesome! Just as a side note... you do not have to wait until your are 23 to start training, or even to take your oral and practical (just 21 I believe). You just won't get your license until you are 23. We have a flight follower that took her test and had to wait a few months until her birthday before she actually got her license. Also, just as an idea....some places hire positions like coordinators that do not require a license. Can be a pretty good gig if you are waiting for a birthday, that way you can learn the job and slide right on over after you have gotten your license. Best of luck to you and welcome to the industry!!

True. But be careful with this. Some airlines may hire you prior to 23, especially if you know the right people and are close to your birthday. However, most will not and their computer will eliminate you before your resume makes it to someone's desk. This can also lock you out from applying for 6 months or so.

 

[Kev]

Pilot121,

Take that visit you just had and put it firmly in your memory as a motivator to get where you ultimately want to be in your career. It will come in handy. Especially in the early days where the money's not great and you're getting up at 3a to go to work, and you know you're going to get rocked at the desk cause you saw the weather reports before you went to bed.

Keep your visit to that OCC in your mind. Right behind your eyes. Show up, play as best as you can with others, look at as many experiences as a learning opportunity as you can. When it's taking longer to get to the best airline for you to close out your career, don't forget it.

Good luck!

 

[womanpilot73]

I recently got to tour an OCC and shadow a dispatcher for a while (thanks to a fellow JC member ); all I can say is WOW!! I had no idea just how fast paced dispatching is, and the extent to which multi-tasking skills are used. Seeing the dispatch operation first hand made me even more excited to dispatch! I also loved the big picture and "behind the scenes" aspect that dispatchers get to experience as opposed to pilots who are only concerned with their specific flight. Simply put, I can't wait to begin my dispatch training... I just have to wait a while until I turn 23 Happy dispatching!

Awesome! I remember my first tour and it is definitely what helped me make the decision to take the plunge and go to dispatch school. I'm so glad I did! I love this job!

Congrats to you - enjoy the ride!!

 

[Juliet Zulu]

I recently got to tour an OCC and shadow a dispatcher for a while (thanks to a fellow JC member ); all I can say is WOW!! I had no idea just how fast paced dispatching is, and the extent to which multi-tasking skills are used. Seeing the dispatch operation first hand made me even more excited to dispatch! I also loved the big picture and "behind the scenes" aspect that dispatchers get to experience as opposed to pilots who are only concerned with their specific flight. Simply put, I can't wait to begin my dispatch training... I just have to wait a while until I turn 23

Happy dispatching!

As ATC89 stated, you do not have to wait until age 23 to begin class. The minimum age to begin class and take the ADX is 21. If you complete the course and successfully pass the O&P with a DADE, you will be issued a Letter of Aeronautical Competency from the FAA. On your 23rd birthday, your shiny certificate will be waiting for you at the FSDO.

 

[F9DXER]

I recently got to tour an OCC and shadow a dispatcher for a while (thanks to a fellow JC member ); all I can say is WOW!! I had no idea just how fast paced dispatching is, and the extent to which multi-tasking skills are used. Seeing the dispatch operation first hand made me even more excited to dispatch! I also loved the big picture and "behind the scenes" aspect that dispatchers get to experience as opposed to pilots who are only concerned with their specific flight. Simply put, I can't wait to begin my dispatch training... I just have to wait a while until I turn 23

Happy dispatching!

Ah yes - Dispatch - The center of the known universe!

 

[DispatcherSam]

We've had a few dispatchers turn 23 in their initial ground school at my shop

 

[derriko]

You could also go into crew scheduling if you can take the mental and physical abuse.

Watch out though...some airlines make you work 6 months or a year before they will let you tranfer internally.

But it would get you face time with the current disptchers and maybe even the boss who can become familiar with you.

 

[Avgirl]

You could also go into crew scheduling if you can take the mental and physical abuse.

Watch out though...some airlines make you work 6 months or a year before they will let you tranfer internally.

But it would get you face time with the current disptchers and maybe even the boss who can become familiar with you.

Mental and physical abuse? Sure would be curious to hear what they deal with on a regular basis. I thought most scheduling was all with algorithms. I mean, you can't be mad at people who seem to be the messengers.

 

[Flagship_dxer]

Mental and physical abuse? Sure would be curious to hear what they deal with on a regular basis. I thought most scheduling was all with algorithms. I mean, you can't be mad at people who seem to be the messengers.

LOL...Crew Scheduling is like the mortal enemy to pilots and flight attendants. Dispatchers are treated like royalty by pilots compared to schedulers. There is a reason why so many crew schedulers have dispatch licenses.

 

[womanpilot73]

Mental and physical abuse? Sure would be curious to hear what they deal with on a regular basis. I thought most scheduling was all with algorithms. I mean, you can't be mad at people who seem to be the messengers.

Hahaha that's funny!! You couldn't pay me enough with all the abuse they take. Heck no!

 

[Avgirl]

LOL...Crew Scheduling is like the mortal enemy to pilots and flight attendants. Dispatchers are treated like royalty by pilots compared to schedulers. There is a reason why so many crew schedulers have dispatch licenses.

That is just funny to me, because you would think people would be nicer to them.

 

[MT]

That is just funny to me, because you would think people would be nicer to them.

Would you be nice and pleasant to the person telling you that you won't be home for Christmas now?

They say don't shoot the messenger, but that's exactly what they do.

 

[Avgirl]

Would you be nice and pleasant to the person telling you that you won't be home for Christmas now?

They say don't shoot the messenger, but that's exactly what they do.

For ten years of my life, I never had Thanksgiving or Christmas off, because I allowed my employees to have it off instead, and because hotels are busy during that time with brunches. Did it make me sad not to go home for the holidays? Absolutely, but it put things in perspective and it is 100% better to travel when everyone else isn't. My nephews loved getting gifts afterwards. We made up a fun story about it, and so they just thought Santa dropped things off at my house, too. When you choose to work in certain industries, you can't expect all holidays off. I am never rude to anyone who I work with. Even if in my mind if I think otherwise. They are doing their jobs, and I am doing mine.

 

[womanpilot73]

For ten years of my life, I never had Thanksgiving or Christmas off, because I allowed my employees to have it off instead, and because hotels are busy during that time with brunches. Did it make me sad not to go home for the holidays? Absolutely, but it put things in perspective and it is 100% better to travel when everyone else isn't. My nephews loved getting gifts afterwards. We made up a fun story about it, and so they just thought Santa dropped things off at my house, too. When you choose to work in certain industries, you can't expect all holidays off. I am never rude to anyone who I work with. Even if in my mind if I think otherwise. They are doing their jobs, and I am doing mine.

You are forgetting that everyone wants what they want, when they want it. And pilot's schedules are no different. Not saying all are rude - I think there is a handful that go out of their way to try to make up for the rest. But at best, it's a difficult relationship between pilot and crew scheduler. Just ask one.

 

[Flagship_dxer]

When you choose to work in certain industries, you can't expect all holidays off. I am never rude to anyone who I work with. Even if in my mind if I think otherwise. They are doing their jobs, and I am doing mine.

If you want to be a dispatcher, you will need to be rude at certain times. As nice and polite as you want and try to be, this isnt always possible. You need to have a big spine to make it as a dispatcher. Everyone will walk all over you and you will be bogged down for hours in small stuff that can distract you from and cause you to neglect bigger issues you may be having at your desk.

 

[womanpilot73]

If you want to be a dispatcher, you will need to be rude at certain times. As nice and polite as you want and try to be, this isnt always possible. You need to have a big spine to make it as a dispatcher. Everyone will walk all over you and you will be bogged down for hours in small stuff that can distract you from and cause you to neglect bigger issues you may be having at your desk.

This is very true. I wouldn't necessarily say you have to be rude as much as blunt, concise, to the point. But there are times we have all come off rude. Also, be prepared to stand your ground as the one who shares operational control with the captain. You may have to make the unpopular decision sometimes while dealing with pressure from others.

 

[Avgirl]

This is very true. I wouldn't necessarily say you have to be rude as much as blunt, concise, to the point. But there are times we have all come off rude. Also, be prepared to stand your ground as the one who shares operational control with the captain. You may have to make the unpopular decision sometimes while dealing with pressure from others.

See, I am okay with this. But, I don't think being rude or disrespectful has any place in conversations. I have had to work with a variety of difficult personalities, but I am always professional in my interactions and when I need to get my way, I always do, and without the person on the other end thinking I am a jerk. It is all about relationships. Biggest learning experience of my career and the hotel industry has taught me a ton. I could write a book about all the crap I have had to deal with.

 

[womanpilot73]

See, I am okay with this. But, I don't think being rude or disrespectful has any place in conversations. I have had to work with a variety of difficult personalities, but I am always professional in my interactions and when I need to get my way, I always do, and without the person on the other end thinking I am a jerk. It is all about relationships. Biggest learning experience of my career and the hotel industry has taught me a ton. I could write a book about all the crap I have had to deal with.

I used to be like you, lol . Seriously, I'll be the first to admit this job has changed me a little. My former career I assisted on trauma patients in surgery. Intense? Yes. But my focus was on my patient, my surgeons and my circulating nurse. This job you may have 40 flights on your desk, fuelers or load planners calling trying to tell you how to do your job, a mechanic trying to talk you into sending a no icing bird into icing conditions because he read a TAF and it "looks good" and a captain who pulled up his handy dandy radar app on his iPhone and wants to know why you've routed their flight through wx - even though the flight doesn't depart for 4 hours!! Add to that, satcom going off with your crews who have mechanicals, ACARS blowing up with requests for early departures, and all the while still trying to plan and follow flights. Trust me, you're going to come off rude sometimes. I am not proud when it happens but the amount you have to juggle and some of the stupidity that distracts you from what's important can definitely wear on your nerves. It's gonna happen.