Ive been toying with the idea of getting my ADX for several years now...due to medical reasons flying is no longer an option for me. I have been working as a medic for the last 9 years so low pay and random hours are nothing new to me. I see DX openings at the regionals all the time, is this mainly due to upward movement or attrition due to salary? I have made some connections throughout the years with some air ambulance operators that utilize dispatchers so that would be an option Id consider as well. Is the pay that bad that someone with adult responsibilities (mortgage/car) should steer away from pursuing this or are the potential advancement opportunities worth it?
Another potential new dispatcher thread.
- Thread starter azmedic
- Start date
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
Right now it's mostly due to upward movement, I believe. Of course, it depends on the regional airline in question. Some have higher turnover rates than others. See the thread about PZA for some examples why. The pay isn't great, but as many regionals are in areas that aren't super expensive, it is possible to lead a normal lifestyle on what they pay, for the most part. However, moving and/or commuting is usually required, and trying to make ends meet commuting on a regional dispatcher salary could be a challenge. I would say that you'd probably be happiest moving to wherever you get a job and just renting there until you either get on with a major or decide that you like the area and want to stay for a while.
Summerdayz
Well-Known Member
I think dispatching for an air ambulance operator would be real interesting with your experience of being a medic. Yet I have no clue of pay or number of opportunities out there, or if moving is even an option for you if its required to find opportunites. I don't even know if they require a license/certification.
I would imagine it would be more similiar to a 911 police/fire dispatcher than to aircraft dispatching. I was a 911 police/fire dispatcher for a large city of 125,000 people for 3 months in my quest to break into the dispatching field. We reported to the police and were sent to the state police facility to get trained in using the state and national crime computers.
@azmedic PM if you're interested in a regional perspective.
I would imagine it would be more similiar to a 911 police/fire dispatcher than to aircraft dispatching. I was a 911 police/fire dispatcher for a large city of 125,000 people for 3 months in my quest to break into the dispatching field. We reported to the police and were sent to the state police facility to get trained in using the state and national crime computers.
@azmedic PM if you're interested in a regional perspective.
I did the commuting thing when I worked for a regional 8 years ago...but I was much younger and didnt have a family then...It was definitely stressful at times...not to mention spending many a night camped out in random airports. As for air ambulances, there are a few of the jet operators throughout the country that use dispatchers for their flights even though they operate 135.
Luigi
Well-Known Member
Well there's something to be said for the regional dispatcher route. Definitely better pay than regional FO.
Summerdayz
Well-Known Member
I just had a friend who was on a medic flight from NY to Dallas after her surgery went bad in NY. I bet she was on one of these air ambulance operators you're talking about. Dispatching for them seems real interesting to me as I have a few fire fighters and medics as friends and family.
Socks and sandals
Well-Known Member
If helicopters are an interest, they are pretty fun to dispatch just due to their nature. I originally started with helicopters, so I know a lot of people in EMS. It generally pays 12-20per hour with a lower pay scale movement as far as I know. The airlines are where the higher money is, but you can make some good money with EMS, too.
F
Flying Saluki
Guest
Starting pay for an aircraft dispatcher is in the range of $15 per hour. Regional airlines experience fairly steady attrition, so overtime is not only possible, but probable. Overtime is typically paid at time and a half, so with an overtime shift each pay period, you can earn in $35K per year or more. Whether that is "good" or "bad" is up to you.