Dispatcher schedule

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AlphaLimaCharlie

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,
I've been lurking around these message boards for a few years now- absorbing as much info as possible regarding the dispatcher profession. While I haven't posted much, I've learned so much from those of you who have! Thanks to these boards, I feel I'm about ready to begin a program to earn my dispatch certificate.

One of the only things I'm still uncertain about is how I would adapt to the schedule of a dispatcher. I currently work in the public education world where I'm used to working a M-F 8-5 schedule with quite a few holidays off. I don't have a very strong passion for the work, but I appreciate the consistency of the schedule.

My dilemma is in trying to predict what it would be like working a schedule quite significantly different than I'm used to. I'm very excited to begin a dispatch program, and I'm confident that I would really love the work. Is the schedule not as bad as I'm thinking? Is it something that you just get used to with time? As always, I appreciate your thoughts!
 
The schedule depends on what everyone else is bidding. The one thing you can count on is working holidays and weekends. Sometimes you can hold the Mornings, or late afternoon shifts, and depending on the carrier, bet on midnights.
 
It's been my experience that overnights / mid nights go a touch senior if there are commuters. Plan on working weekends for sure. However that's not as bad as it seems. While you won't be able to do as many things with your non-industry folk, running errands and other leisurely activities (golfing) are great to do during the week when the masses are at work.

You also tend to get more time off. Most offices I know run a 4 10 hour shifts meaning 3 days off a week.

The majors have ridiculous schedules where you are off more than you work. Things like 5 on 3 off; 5 on 5 off. 6-3, 6-3,6-6', etc.

Working holidays can get to you sometimes, but were a tight knit group on the holidays. Good companies will provide you meals, and it's overtime pay usually as well. I actually like working the holidays. Since I have no kids and the wife is in the industry as well, we usually volunteer so those with kids can have the day off.

In the end, it's what you make of it. Personally the job is worth the shift schedules.

Hope that helps!
 
A lot depends on who you work for. Regionals might have ridiculously early morning schedules that would have you start at say 4am, but not all have overnight shifts. Working for a supplemental carrier that does overseas work will pretty much guarantee you seeing mids at some point in your career as the middle of the night in 'Merica is morning in Europe. Majors run the gamut to, but usually a carrier like United would have a minority of dispatchers working overnights, whereas if you're with UPS expect a majority of your career to be spent as a vampire. Pretty much without exception you will be working some holidays and weekends and you will work less then the typical 2080 hour work year the 9 to 5ers do, so there's a trade off, to be sure.

Also, as mentioned previous, the midnight shifts aren't necessarily "junior" shifts. There are a significant number of people who spend their entire careers on mids. There are certainly perks to the midnight shift. Things tend to be less chaotic, you generally (at least in scheduled service) get to start the day's operations, so there's less need to deal with schedule disruptions, and upper management isn't poking around.
 
Thanks for all the thoughts. It's nice to hear people commenting about the schedule in positive ways. I know that any schedule is bearable when you enjoy the work, but I'd like to think that it isn't so much something you have to grudgingly "accept" as part of the gig, but rather, a part of the job that really isn't as bad as it sounds- and actually has some benefits in a few ways.
 
Also, as mentioned previous, the midnight shifts aren't necessarily "junior" shifts. There are a significant number of people who spend their entire careers on mids. There are certainly perks to the midnight shift. Things tend to be less chaotic, you generally (at least in scheduled service) get to start the day's operations, so there's less need to deal with schedule disruptions, and upper management isn't poking around.
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At my current carrier, our midnight shifts are actually pretty senior and some of the people working them have been here for 20+ years. We constantly have management on the floor to help with the worldwide operation, however, it is pretty laid back. That is not to say that day shift is not highly sought after, but many people will tell you they get more time with their families by working at night, and sleeping while the kids are at school. If you have a choice, try and find out which schedule is best for you.
When I first started out in the biz I loved swing shifts (go out at night, and not have to worry about reporting at Odark-thirty. When I was commuting, I did a combo of swings and overnights (the most commutable schedule), and now, I work from 0700-1500 (or any 8 hour combination) M-F. My wife loves the hours now and you know what they say... happy wife, happy life.
 
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