Dispatching at Commutair and PDT?

jayd1038

Well-Known Member
How are things at these two places? I really haven't found any recent information on the two. I am considering a career switch and getting my DX license and these two places interest me.

How are these two viewed as places to dispatch at? Are they reasonably attractive to mainline dispatching at all? Any current information would really help. I would like to remain in Ohio, but I also have connections with PDT so that could help me maybe get a job there.

I've already read on PSA dispatching a lot on here, which seems to be mostly negative, not that I would rule PSA out at all personally.

Also feel free to PM me if you'd rather keep your opinions more secure.

Thanks in advance!
 
First things first, I recommend arranging to visit a dispatch office (more than one if you can), sit with dispatchers on the job, and see what the job is really all about. If you can swing it, arrange a visit to Commutair and Piedmont's dispatch offices. Two birds with one stone.

I'm curious, what about Piedmont or Commutair interests you?
 
If you want to stay in Ohio then PSA is a good choice. Commutair is a smaller carrier and when they do hire its in smaller numbers than a larger carrier like PSA will hire. You have a much greater chance of getting hired by a company that is having a hiring spree for growth and attrition like PSA. Commutair while it is in Ohio is not growing and hires for attrition which is slower and in smaller numbers given the small size of the company.

Even though lots of negative things are written about PSA, every regional has its issues. If after 6-12 months you find that you aren't happy at your regional, you can always jump ship to another regional, LCC, Supplemental. If lucky, you might get hired by a major during that time.

If location matters to you then PSA would be a good choice.

PDT is a smallish regional located in SBY. That is near the Eastern Shore of Maryland with an airport that has limited service on Dash 8s to CLT and PHL. I imagine those flights have a bunch of PDT employees trying to non rev on them and like most regional aircraft are probably weight critical. BWI/ORF/PHL are several hours away with heavy vacation traffic headed to the beaches in the summer months. Commuting is difficult to begin with. SBY would be a terrible commute if you want to stay in Ohio.

With that said, PDT is getting ready to add a bunch of new planes so it will probably be hiring for that.

Southern Air is near CVG and that is another option if you want to stay in Ohio.
 
First things first, I recommend arranging to visit a dispatch office (more than one if you can), sit with dispatchers on the job, and see what the job is really all about. If you can swing it, arrange a visit to Commutair and Piedmont's dispatch offices. Two birds with one stone.

I'm curious, what about Piedmont or Commutair interests you?


I have a pilot buddy from Piedmont who claims he knows some people at Piedmont's dispatch, and as for Commutair, they are based in Cleveland, I am from Ohio and it wouldn't be bad to stay in Ohio possibly. I know a bit about PSA down there in Dayton, just curious about Commair.
 
CommutAir isn't hiring for attrition. No one really knows why they're hiring like gangbusters for every department at the moment. Very few of their dispatchers leave, which says to me that it's a pretty good gig for those that want to live in CLE.

I don't know much about the dispatching side of things there but I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about the company. Send me a PM
 
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