Am I out of my mind?

A

AVWXinNH

DFW DXer
I am seriously considering earning my Flight Dispatchers certificate this year - it is a career change - or more accurately, a career course correction. I have been an aviation nut for my entire life, had planned when I was young to be a pilot. Fate and life interfered, but earned my degree in Meteorology, thinking I could at least be near aviation, which it did for a while. In my 30's, I diverted to an alternate career in technology sales, and after almost 20 years of that, throw in a ruined marriage and a mound of debt. I need a reason to get up in the morning, need to be self-sufficient, and need to do something that I love. I know getting a job after I get my license means leaving everything behind, relocating, starting over. I need to ask those of you that have done it, especially those approaching their 50's - Am I out of my mind?
 
To be honest - anyone that works in dispatch has more than 1 bolt missing a nut. :D Some of us - well never mind.

It is doable for late career changers but one really needs to look at the financial aspects to include retirement.

You have approximately 20 years of a career left. Expect to spend at least 1 year at a regional for the experience before moving onward.


Are you easily free to move as needed?
How long will it take you to earn what you are making now?
What if it takes you 5 years to get on with a major airline, how will that affect your plans?
What are you willing to do without in order to meet your financial goals?

These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself. Only you know what is right for you.

Best of luck in whatever choice you make and don't be afraid to ask questions.
 
Thanks for the feedback. If technology sales was as fun and profitable as it may have once been, I wouldn't be in this situation! Been repeatedly laid off from those jobs over the years as things have gone up and down, and down again. I am aware of the starting pay for flight dispatchers, but, really, you gotta start somewhere. I am willing to learn, and to pay my dues. I know once I get to school, and delve into it, I will be far more satisfied with the career than I have been. It's just taking that leap of faith and doing all the due diligence. I know that once I have that piece of paper, opportunities that I never even knew about could appear - but without that first leap of faith, one never knows.
 
Plus, as you might be aware, seniority is everything in the airline industry. Adding to what F9DX said:

- At this stage, are you comfortable being locked in to shift work at the least desirable hours for an indeterminate amount of time, perhaps years?

F9 also offered very astute advice on retirement considerations. Don't expect a pension, either. I don't believe any airline-union agreement for dispatchers affords one.

If you haven't much for retirement, are saddled with debt, and plan to save up, I wouldn't advise it. At all. Unless, of course, retirement means little. If I were in your shoes, that would probably be my foremost concern.

Good luck, folks around here are always very happy to help answer questions in your decision-making process.
 
Forgot to add this -

What is the absolute minimum you need to make to survive?

That question doesn't include putting money aside for savings/retirement/rainy day fund. Just the bare bones necessities.

You'd be surprised to find out not a whole lot of people know the answer to this but this is the one question that needs to be answered before anything else. Once you know that value - then ask yourself this - how long are you willing to do this if you know there is a bigger future?

Since most airline dispatch jobs are union - one can see what they are projected to make. There are no guarantees as a bankruptcy can drastically change ones financial picture. I myself have gone through 2 and it isn't fun.
 
Kev said:
Don't expect a pension, either. I don't believe any airline-union agreement for dispatchers affords one.
Click to expand...

This is unfortunately very true. I don't know what it's like at FDX or UPS, but there is no remaining major passenger airline that has a pension plan for new hires. Air Wisconsin had one and is union (still has it, I believe) but they also have the low regional pay to go along with it. Some airlines have the plans grandfathered in for some existing employees but not for new hires.
 
I career changed in my forties a few years back and it's been the best decision I've ever made. I think the reason is simple--I actually enjoy going to work. I believe when you set yourself on the right track you unleash powerful forces (aaaaand cue X-Files music) The realities of this job are laid bare here, this is the straight dope from all angles. From your post you sound really excited about the idea. I say go for it.
 
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