Becoming a Dispatcher at 55

[F9DXER]

FS,
I was taken off doing that, because I got electrocuted 2+ years ago. .

I can't tell you the number of times I was "electrocuted", RF radiated on, zapped, fried or whatever the current term is being used to tell you - Hey dumb ass don't do that.

15 years in electronics - installing, maintaining, repairing fixed and mobile ATC facilities. 100KVA generators, commercial ups systems that could blow an 800amp fuse like it was nothing.

God knows I have melted more than one screwdriver into a useless form of metal



Good luck at Sheffield and if you get bored there, you can always stick something in an outlet to remind you of why you decided to become a dispatcher.

 

[A-9er]

I can't tell you the number of times I was "electrocuted", RF radiated on, zapped, fried or whatever the current term is being used to tell you - Hey dumb ass don't do that.

15 years in electronics - installing, maintaining, repairing fixed and mobile ATC facilities. 100KVA generators, commercial ups systems that could blow an 800amp fuse like it was nothing.

God knows I have melted more than one screwdriver into a useless form of metal



Good luck at Sheffield and if you get bored there, you can always stick something in an outlet to remind you of why you decided to become a dispatcher.

Oh man, you CRACKED ME UP with that one! I got zapped more times than I can count; it goes with the territory. No, why the company got pissed was because, unlike most zappings, I had to go to the hospital after that one. I mean, my shoulder was subluxing (i.e. coming out of the socket if I moved the wrong way), for cryin' out loud! They got pissed because I cost them money. WTF do they expect?! Just like a car rental company has to consider wrecked and damaged cars as a cost of business, an electronics company (particularly one making power supplies like mine does) has to know that guys are going to get zapped, and, at times, require medical attention as a result; for an electronics company, it's a COST OF DOING BUSINESS. I don't know why they don't see that.

Yeah, I used to test 250 kW power supplies, among other things. On our bigger supplies (100kW on up), we used to use big, bladed type of fuses the size of a beer can until they incorporated a big circuit breaker to do the same thing. You know, I never got hit doing one of the big units, because everything about it screams out, "Don't screw up!" The size and type of the components are literally in your face reminding you that your next mistake could very well be your last. No, it was the smaller units that got me.

Anyway, thanks for the laugh. You cracked me up, because I KNOW what you're talking about! I don't think I'll become bored though. Thanks again for the laugh...

 

[100LL]

100LL,

You offer, good, sober thoughts on this. Thank you! After visiting the doc yesterday, some weight loss is in order! Though I lost 40# over the past 2-3 years, I gained 10 of it back. Now, I have some questions for you.

WRT point #1, when you say to swear off sugar, does this mean swearing off bees' honey too? I like to put natural honey (i.e. the good stuff straight from the hive) in my hot tea in the morning; the brother and SIL said dairy products were a no-no, so tea has been substituted for milk with breakfast. I cut down sodas, though I still drink them occasionally. As for pasta, I don't have it often anymore-perhaps once or twice a month.

About point #2, how does one know what's modern anymore, especially for someone who was never style conscious in the first place? When I go shopping, I simply go to Old Navy (or similar store), find things I like, and get them. Hopefully, that is good enough.

For point #3, I have my own hair clipper; the hair and eyebrows get trimmed regularly. Nothing looks worse than unkempt hair and bushy eyebrows, especially on an older person-ick! Nothing screams 'old fart' more loudly than this.

Finally, WRT point #4, as an old Navy vet, I can still make my shoes shine well enough to almost shave off them! Some things one never forgets from one's youth...

Thanks again for your thoughts! I do appreciate them, and they will be kept in mind...

1. I guess my point about the sugar is that some foods make people gain weight and store fat, while others don't. Sugar, and by extension any carbohydrate, will raise the insulin level in your body and is a signal for your body to store fat. Store it and lock it away so it is not accessible for your body to use as fuel. Basically my point was that low carb diets beat any low fat or calorie restricted diet hands down in terms of weight loss. I'm not a doctor or weight loss specialist, just some dude on the internet. Having said that, if you go this route do some research up front on how to go about it. If you are being treated for high blood pressure or diabetes find a doctor who understands what you are doing and have them monitor you during the first few weeks as you may find yourself "over medicated". Those medicines usually can be cut back or phased out when eating low carb. Low carb generally means between 20 to 50 grams of carbs/day. There are tips and good resources I can forward if you PM me.

2. I was thinking more along the lines of a Nordstroms where they can set you up with some good business casual and even do the hemming/adjustments for you. I only wear that stuff when I need to, otherwise its sandals, shorts and T shirt.

3. Check

4. Excellent.

 

[100LL]

I did it; I sent my registration, app fee, and deposit to Sheffield yesterday! Though working a full 10 years to the day would have been nice, I opted for the April 17th class. One, a month short will be close enough to say that I did 10 years at my present employer. Two, there's no reason to wait to start this new chapter ASAP; none of us know how long we have on this Earth. I'm also signed up for the AFIP, EWINS, and ETOPS workshops held after the five week class is over. I can't wait!

I overnighted my application and check, so they'll arrive at Sheffield today. FedEx has gotten EXPENSIVE since I last used them decades ago-wow! Unfortunately, the USPS Express Mail does NOT offer a guarantee of overnighting your urgent package, so FedEx was the default choice. I did this to have access to the online study materials (Sheffield won't be in the office tomorrow), because I wanted to get a head start on prepping for the ADX written. The goal is to be ready to take the written when I arrive, so I can focus on the class material. When I talked to the folks at Sheffield, they recommended starting ASAP (I'll have about 15 weeks prep time). They recommended an hour a day during the workweek, and doing more on the weekends, so as to be ready to take the ADX written upon arrival.

Thanks again for all the helpful thoughts and encouragement everyone offered on here! I really do appreciate them. Thanks again, everyone!

Another suggestion. Knock the ADX written out before you arrive. I spoke to the folks at Sheffield and they recommended having it done before starting school. Makes sense in context of the often repeated advice, "memorize, pass, purge". You show up without the written hanging over your head ready to rock. The Sheppard Air software prep seems highly regarded, so that's what I'm going with.

I plan on attending this spring as well.

 

[A-9er]

Another suggestion. Knock the ADX written out before you arrive. I spoke to the folks at Sheffield and they recommended having it done before starting school. Makes sense in context of the often repeated advice, "memorize, pass, purge". You show up without the written hanging over your head ready to rock. The Sheppard Air software prep seems highly regarded, so that's what I'm going with.

I plan on attending this spring as well.

When I talked to them, they said it would be enough to be READY to take it when you arrive, so that's what I'm working on. If you take it before, then you have to pay $150 or something-if you can find a location to take it. So, I'm working on being ready to take it upon arrival.

As for the Sheppard Air software, I'm going to get it soon. That'll make life a LOT easier...

 

[A-9er]

I know this thread is old, but I made it; I'm working @ G7! Another guy in his 50s got hired on with me too, so it's definitely possible to do this at my age...

 

[Aeroscout840]

I know this thread is old, but I made it; I'm working @ G7! Another guy in his 50s got hired on with me too, so it's definitely possible to do this at my age...

 

[Aeroscout840]

Cool! Enjoy. Start dreaming of places to nonrev to.

 

[A-9er]

Cool! Enjoy. Start dreaming of places to nonrev to.

I've already started doing that! Now that I've passed my comp check, I'm going to request CASS since they said they'd put us in when we passed it. I already have a couple of ideas on where to go...

 

[A-9er]

Another suggestion. Knock the ADX written out before you arrive. I spoke to the folks at Sheffield and they recommended having it done before starting school. Makes sense in context of the often repeated advice, "memorize, pass, purge". You show up without the written hanging over your head ready to rock. The Sheppard Air software prep seems highly regarded, so that's what I'm going with.

I plan on attending this spring as well.

I wish I'd done that; in retrospect, I wish I'd knocked out the ADX BEFORE school. That would have made my life easier, no question about it...

 

[100LL]

I wish I'd done that; in retrospect, I wish I'd knocked out the ADX BEFORE school. That would have made my life easier, no question about it...

I ended up attending Jeppesen. Same advice applies. If you get the ADX out of the way prior to attending you have one less thing to deal with. YMMV.

And to circle back around to the original topic. There are lots of old dudes in this biz. And young people. And everywhere in between. There are probably good reasons for employers to hire from each demographic.