Considering a switch to dispatch

J

jennings_SJ

New Member
Hey all,

I'm currently working as a CFI and I'm toying with the idea of getting my dispatcher certificate and pursuing that as a career instead. It's something I've been thinking about for a while, and knowing the pay scale and schedules for a regional airline pilot, I'm starting to consider it more strongly. I'm looking for practical advice from any dispatchers on things such as where the best schools are, what the job is like, and whether or not my experience as a flight instructor will give me a leg up in training. Also, an issue I'm running into is that I'm only 20 years old, and I believe you have to be 23 to get your dispatcher certificate. Do I have any options other than just waiting 2 and a half more years? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Best Schools<---Loaded question!:cwm27: Everyone here will most likely gloat about the school they attended. It really boils down to what works for you. I narrowed my choices between Flight Safety at LGA and Sheffield in FLL. I went with Sheffield because they offered more choices to what I had going on in my life and when I asked around I did not hear one bad thing about them. That and trying to live in NYC area without going bankrupt! Already having an aviation background will make learning all the material soo much more easier. I have my Private License and found that already being exposed to all the FARs, Charts, W&B, etc. made transitioning to the 121 ops that much more smooth.
Typical day--> make some contacts and try to "shadow" a dispatcher for a shift. I did and learned a boatload. Plus it's easier than reading it on here. Outside of that I'll leave describing their day to others since I'm still job hunting.
Per FAR65.53 you only need to be 21 to take the ADX and 23 to earn the ADX certificate. If I do recall correctly I think that the ADX exam is good for 24 months.
 
Greetings Jennings!
Good advise by Mach...
I would add to remain a CFI and also if you are looking to Dispatch at an Airline, you could apply for a job within in the mean time as a scheduler, load planner, etc...and when u turn 23 u get your Dispatch certificate!
Being internal may get your foot in the door into the Dispatch group with that same Airline.
Being a CFI will only make you a more knowledgeable Aviator and Dispatcher in the future...
Have seen a large number of companies hiring in the last year or two, let's hope this continues and should you decide
to pursue Dispatch, I think you have a good shot of getting in...Best of luck to you.
 
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