AA

F9DXER

Well-Known Member
American has posted an opening - the pay has something to be desired



*Dispatchers - FTW-1103291

[h=2]Description
[/h]
American Airlines is seeking candidates for full-time Dispatchers to work at Fort Worth Texas. Comprehensive Benefit Package provided and airline travel privileges at a monthly rate of $2,712.00USD.







A dispatcher is regularly assigned as a representative of the Company to exercise operational control within a prescribed area or on an assigned route. Responsible for the safety and efficiency of operations in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations and Company Flight Manuals. Pre-planning daily flight operations with primary emphasis on safety, efficiency and economy consistent with passenger comfort and on-time performance. Assures that appropriate station personnel are informed of significant changes in the flight status such as specific aircraft to be used on flights, aircraft changes, aircraft substitutions, delays, unscheduled landings, diversions or cancellations. Arranges for off-schedule food service. Initiates operational flight information and time limit decision messages. Assures availability of crew and aircraft for each schedule departure. Originates and transmits information as to probable arrival of flights operating off schedule. Keeps informed of progress of all inbound flights entering control area, location of aircraft and crews out of position during irregular operation. Coordinates for optimum utilization of aircraft, and crews during irregular operation(s). Provides information related to flight operations to crew and station operations personnel. Utilizes any electronic input/output devices installed in Dispatch offices for the purpose of data input directly required by the Dispatch function, e.g., flight planning, flight release, flight watch. Issues instructions in Dispatch area which require implementation by ground personnel in the performance of those phases of their duties pertinent to flight operations. Performs irregularity reports when required. Re-dispatches flights in progress when necessary for reasons of safety or economy. Exercises and maintains joint responsibility with the pilot in command for operational control in all matters affecting the safety of flights. Informs stations of any changes in the status of all flights such as anticipated delays, cancellations, diversions, etc. Originates and transmits information as to probable arrival and departure of flights operating off schedule due to off-schedule landings and diversions. Performs such other duties as may be assigned by the Company.


[h=2]Qualifications
[/h]
  • High School diploma or GED
  • Minimum of 23 years of age
  • Must possess a current Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
  • Four year college degree preferably with an Aviation, Science or Business major, or Five years aviation experience which includes at least four years of operational experience, or Three years aviation experience, which includes at least two years of operational experience and a two year associates college degree preferably with an Aviation, Science or Business major
  • Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends, holidays, and overtime as required
  • Must fulfill FAA criminal background checks to qualify for unescorted access privileges to airport security identification display areas (SIDA), if applicable
  • Must be able to secure appropriate airport authority and/or US Customs security badges, if applicable
* Any subsequent relocation expenses are the responsibility of the candidate.


[h=2]Job[/h]: Operations/Maintenance/Mechanics
[h=2]Primary Location[/h]: US-TX-Fort Worth


[h=2]Job Posting[/h]: Aug 26, 2011
: 17 Sep 2011 00:59:00

[h=2]Equal Opportunity Employer[/h]: American Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
[h=2]Work Schedule*[/h]: Full-Time
 
Job posting was ammended as follows

*Salary is governed by a contract with the Transport Workers Union. The current first year base salary is $2,712 monthly. Incremental salary increases are provided annually until the maximum base salary of $6,556 is achieved after 10 years. While in training, salary is 79 percent of the contractual rate.
 
Sooooo if you have a non Aviation/Business/Science 4 year degree will they still consider you? It does say "preferably."
 
Something is wrong here. Starting pay at $32K, and you get 79% of that while in training, and it tops out at $79K? That sounds an aweful lot like regional money to me. I would suspect this is a listing for a job at Eagle if it wasn't for the required education/experience caveot. I'm totally confused. Please tell me this isn't for American mainline? I know the TWU isn't the greatest union of all time, but surely they couldn't have retreated to THIS?!
 
I'm totally confused. Please tell me this isn't for American mainline?
From what I can find out it does appear to be mainline.

This is, indeed, mainline AA's current dispatch pay scale. I have heard there is a lot of OT available and they get some bonuses that aren't in the base pay. I also hear they are negotiating a new contract although when it will take effect and be ratifiied is anyone's guess. To be fair, this pay scale is very similar to what I started out with at my current carrier over five years ago, and we got a big pay raise when our new contract took effect. On the other hand, AA has not been profitable at all lately and does not have a good track record in recent years of employee/management relations...so I guess time will tell.
 
They sure don't give one much incentive to drop their seniority elsewhere to join them, now do they?

No they do not. It is the same on the maintenance side of the fence for AA as well. I would never leave a major to go to AA as a mechanic. But I am sure they will get some takers.
 
Wow. If I recall, I made more to start at AWAC, and that place isn't exactly a major metropolitan district, so COL was reasonable. Here's to hoping they can make some hay with the new contract. That scale makes it hard for the rest of us who are trying to negotiate fair contracts!
 
Something is wrong here. Starting pay at $32K, and you get 79% of that while in training, and it tops out at $79K? That sounds an aweful lot like regional money to me. I would suspect this is a listing for a job at Eagle if it wasn't for the required education/experience caveot. I'm totally confused. Please tell me this isn't for American mainline? I know the TWU isn't the greatest union of all time, but surely they couldn't have retreated to THIS?!


I have to say from my prospective the twu is the worst union out there. The crime is their officers make insane salaries and the members they represent are among the worst paid. They give unions a bad name. They as well as most airline unions are the reason unions are losing ground and going away.
 
FXMXC,

Which union, if any, represents the highest paid dispatchers in America?

Off hand I couldn't tell you I will take a stab in the dark and say twu. However, you have to remember dispatch is a very small group at any airline compared to other groups I think that is a big part in why the majors (AA not withstanding) pay very well in the top tiers. A small group doesn't hit them in the pocketbook too much to pay them well. The twu and I go by what my friends at AA tell me have failed miserably representing them and by them I mean mechanics so it doesn't surprise me that AA's recent ad for a dispatcher had what I consider regional airline pay.
 
FXMXC,

Which union, if any, represents the highest paid dispatchers in America?

Off hand I couldn't tell you I will take a stab in the dark and say twu. However, you have to remember dispatch is a very small group at any airline compared to other groups I think that is a big part in why the majors (AA not withstanding) pay very well in the top tiers. A small group doesn't hit them in the pocketbook too much to pay them well. The twu and I go by what my friends at AA tell me have failed miserably representing them and by them I mean mechanics so it doesn't surprise me that AA's recent ad for a dispatcher had what I consider regional airline pay.
 
I just went down to AA on Tuesday and had an interview....basically it is a waiting game now to hear back to see if they want me to go down for an individual interview. It was a pretty standard interview, Space Avail down to DFW, 50 question dispatch test (domestic stuff, wx theory, tafs, pireps), an essay explaining why you want to be a dx'er at AA, and after that, as long as you score a 19.75, you are allowed to participate in the group interview. You are basically being hired as an assistant dispatcher and they hope to get you signed off within a year (keep in mind ground school is 3 months long, domestic OJT, Domestic Comp Check) then you choose an international theater to work in (Europe/Pacific, South America, Caribbean and Central America), go to that ground school, OJT, Comp Check----according to my buddy about 9 months before you can get signed off. The schedule is really cool 6/3, 6/3, 6/6. The pay is really low initially.
 
Got an email the other day asking me to complete the online application, and then an email this morning with a set of dates to go back to DFW for an individual interview. Looks like all the dates are in November so my guess on potential starting dates are either in mid december or January. Depends how long it takes them to do background checks. We will have to see what happens. Originally AA stated they had chosen 100 applicants for 15 dispatcher spots, and the individual interview was going to whittle them down to less than that. We will see what happens and be sure that I will keep you all on JC informed. Did anyone else go for this opportunity?
 
Any update on AA hiring, esp since the Chapter 11 filing this morning? Or have they already started this group in class?
 
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