Dispatching career questions...

[pfcwintergreen]

Hey all, sorry for the long post but I have a several questions that I couldn't find clear answers to after searching the forums.

(1)
While dispatching seems like a great non-pilot aviation job, my concern would be that I would "burn out" after so many years of doing this kind of work. Do senior dispatchers ever move into supervisory/managerial roles or other related jobs within the airlines? Or do they all typically follow a dispatcher->senior dispatcher->retirement career path?

(2)
I used to work on a very fast-paced and stressful IT help desk, with the occasional caller yelling at me and getting a bit out of line. Do dispatchers have to put up with similar treatment or are they generally well respected by the pilots and other airline employees?

(3)
Most posts seem to indicate about 1-3 years of employment with a regional 121 or 135 outfit before being eligible for a slot with the majors. I know this is all dependant on the state of the aviation industry at the time, but is that timeline considered the norm when the industry is in poor or good shape?

(4)
My current salary is about 60k...about how long would it take to get back to that level if starting a dispatching career with zero prior aviation experience? I've read that seniors with the majors reach 100k at some point...how many years, in your opinion, would it take to reach that? Money isn't my primary concern...but it sure is nice to have sometimes.

(5)
Is being licensed the only requirement for an entry-level position? Any other criteria considered? I have a bachelors, several years of non-aviation work experience with good recommendations from my bosses...

I would love to work in aviation in some capacity. While being a professional pilot is my ultimate goal, it's going to take years for me to earn all the ratings and build the necessary time. (I refuse to take out a loan and do the zero to hero thing)

Since I'm really unsatisfied with my current career path, I figured perhaps dispatching full time while flying on my free days would be a viable option. Plus, if I find that being a professional pilot doesn't pan out, then at least I'm still working in aviation. I'm also single with no kids and no debt, so I'm very flexible with location and salary.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions!

 

[av8r]

Welcome to the forums, pfcwintergreen. I'm sure you'll find this forum to be helpful and informative. I can relate to your current situation as I have a good job, but it isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life. I've gone back and forth on the idea of becoming a dispatcher but I think I'm getting closer to diving into it. I love many of the aspects of the dispatcher job (aviation, weather, flight planning etc) so I feel that this may be a good fit for me. I don't have answers for all of your questions, but I'll share some things that I've been learned from others in this forum.

Question #1 ~ RE: Career Path - I'm sure there are those who have started as dispatchers and then moved into senior dispatcher/management positions and then retired, but I'm also aware of some who have gone on to other aviation careers too (i.e. pilots, airport managers, airport operation specialists, Air Traffic Control etc).

Question #2 ~ RE: Angry Pilots - I've heard that the majority of the people that you work with are really pretty good to work with. Of course, there will always be those who get frustrated (including the dispatchers) but I don't believe pilots automatically default to taking it out on the dispatcher. I started a thread here in the forum on October 4, 2009 called "Is it true" that may interest you. I posted a similar question and there are some helpful responses in there.

Question #3 ~ RE: Timeline - From what I hear, jobs with the majors can be difficult to come by and there's pretty stiff competition once an opening becomes available. Obviously, the more experience you have the better chance at landing a gig with a major. 1-3 years of experience with a regional carrier would surely bump you up in the rankings...but it could take more time than that too. Just depends. There's probably some who have been trying 5-10 years to get on with a major, and then there's probably others who landed a job in a year or two.

Question #4 ~ RE: Salary - I'm pretty sure that starting pay with a regional carrier is somewhere in the 30k range (give or take). Might be difficult to hit 60k with a regional unless you're in a management position. I'm taking a total guess here, but starting pay with a major might be around 37k-45k depending on the airline (could be more or even less). It's hard to determine how long it would take the average person to hit 60k. Could be anywhere from a few years to 15 years...or never. I'm sure it depends on the airline, the position, ability of the person, and state of the industry. I'm sure others in the forums can shed better light on this from their own experience.

Question #5 ~ RE: Requirements - Attending a dispatcher school and getting your license is the main requirement for becoming a dispatcher. Of course any prior aviation experience you have will only help you out and might give you an extra edge over those without prior experience. Lots of people have become successful dispatchers without any prior experience though. I believe one key to success is to pick a dispatcher school that has a solid program. You'll find several posts in the forums about different dispatcher schools. There are many good ones out there to choose from.

 

[pfcwintergreen]

Thanks for the response av8r. I know most of the questions I have are dependent on a lot of variables...state of the industry, the company in question, etc.

As I'm sure you know, thinking of changing careers is tough when you already make a comfortable living with a decent job. Suppose you just have to make the best educated guess you can, jump into that unknown abyss, and hope you land on two feet!

 

[manniax]

Hey all, sorry for the long post but I have a several questions that I couldn't find clear answers to after searching the forums.

(1)
While dispatching seems like a great non-pilot aviation job, my concern would be that I would "burn out" after so many years of doing this kind of work. Do senior dispatchers ever move into supervisory/managerial roles or other related jobs within the airlines? Or do they all typically follow a dispatcher->senior dispatcher->retirement career path?

(2)
I used to work on a very fast-paced and stressful IT help desk, with the occasional caller yelling at me and getting a bit out of line. Do dispatchers have to put up with similar treatment or are they generally well respected by the pilots and other airline employees?

(3)
Most posts seem to indicate about 1-3 years of employment with a regional 121 or 135 outfit before being eligible for a slot with the majors. I know this is all dependant on the state of the aviation industry at the time, but is that timeline considered the norm when the industry is in poor or good shape?

(4)
My current salary is about 60k...about how long would it take to get back to that level if starting a dispatching career with zero prior aviation experience? I've read that seniors with the majors reach 100k at some point...how many years, in your opinion, would it take to reach that? Money isn't my primary concern...but it sure is nice to have sometimes.

(5)
Is being licensed the only requirement for an entry-level position? Any other criteria considered? I have a bachelors, several years of non-aviation work experience with good recommendations from my bosses...

I would love to work in aviation in some capacity. While being a professional pilot is my ultimate goal, it's going to take years for me to earn all the ratings and build the necessary time. (I refuse to take out a loan and do the zero to hero thing)

Since I'm really unsatisfied with my current career path, I figured perhaps dispatching full time while flying on my free days would be a viable option. Plus, if I find that being a professional pilot doesn't pan out, then at least I'm still working in aviation. I'm also single with no kids and no debt, so I'm very flexible with location and salary.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions!

I've been doing the job for close to 15 years now and I am still not "burned out" on it. I've only been at a major for about four years though. However, there are supervisory positions I could apply for if I ever start getting bored...but for now I'm perfectly happy with dispatching.

In general, dispatchers do not have to put up with irate crew members calling in, although there are exceptions to that rule they are rare, especially at a major. Generally, the irate crew calls all go to crew scheduling. Most pilots have the same goal in mind as you...to get your flight there, safely and on time. The stress level varies greatly by day, depending on weather, mechanicals, and other factors. Most regionals have a higher stress level than majors (more flights to work, etc.) but in general the stress levels aren't terrible for days at a time or anything. I'm sure if you've worked in a fast-paced environment the stress would not be anything you couldn't handle.

I have known people who got on with a major after only a year or so of dispatching, and some people like me that took years to do so. In my case, I probably could have gotten hired by one sooner, but I was slightly picky on where I wanted to live (tired of cold winters) so I applied accordingly. Also, there was one small carrier I was with that I really liked and hoped to stay at for a long time...I bought a house there and everything...but they went out of business rather abruptly. Otherwise, I'd probably have gotten on with a major after 3 or 4 years of dispatching, rather than 10 or 11.

To get to 60K is rare if you stay at a regional, although there are some that pay that well at top-out. Even to get to 60K at a major may take a few years depending upon the carrier. I do know some people that are at regionals because they like the area they are in and have no intention of moving...my last regional was based in Wisconsin, and although the salaries were not that high, the cost of living was not that high either. Realistically, I'd expect to wait at least five years, and perhaps as long as ten, before expecting to be able to make a similar salary to what you make now. It would just depend on how fast you could get on with a major and what their pay scale was like. Some majors start a lot closer to 60K than others. Of course, flying benefits are nice, and you get those at any airline you work at, other than cargo carriers.

Being licensed is the main criteria for being hired; other aviation experience might be helpful, and a degree always looks good although it's not a requirement. A private pilot license can help, but it depends on the hiring manager...to some it won't make a difference. Basically it comes down to being in the right place at the right time...and that is true for getting hired with a major as well as at a regional.

A word of warning...finding a flying job with the flexibility to still dispatch full-time might be VERY challenging, unless it's just flight instructing or something along those lines. However, I've never worked as a pilot so I have no idea what's out there along those lines...but in all my years of dispatching, I've only known a couple of people that flew on their days off for pay.

Good luck in whatever field you choose.

 

[double_d]

The fact that you have nothing holding you back from making a career jump is more reason to go ahead and do it. Just weigh your own personal priorities when making your final decision. For me, having a job that I enjoy is right up near the top.

As far as dispatching goes, I have loads of pros and very few cons. I get to sleep in my own bed at night, get plenty of time off, and actually enjoy rolling out of bed and heading to the office. If the airline industry and aviation is your thing, then dispatching is one of the best non-flying gigs out there. Just be prepared and willing to relocate as well as have some patience in the salary department.

Good luck to ya.

 

[pfcwintergreen]

Thanks for all the insight, I really appreciate it.

 

[CluedIn]

Great thread, pfcwintergreen and responders!
I hope somebody will be as candid with my question.

I just left a technology field and am now considering becoming a dispatcher. Salary is not too bid a concern to me...just want to be doing something I enjoy.
Question: Assuming I get certified, what are my chances of getting a job given that I am nearly 50 years old and have NO aviation experience?

I would be willing to work up to 2 years away from my DFW home, even overseas if nec, but would prefer to stay Stateside.
I have a degree in meteorology, but I suspect that since we all are tested on Meteorology, that playing field will be levelled. (My degree is from the 80's and I worked in MET only through 1990.)

Thank you in advance. HUGE career decision for me.

 

[double_d]

Great thread, pfcwintergreen and responders!
I hope somebody will be as candid with my question.

I just left a technology field and am now considering becoming a dispatcher. Salary is not too bid a concern to me...just want to be doing something I enjoy.
Question: Assuming I get certified, what are my chances of getting a job given that I am nearly 50 years old and have NO aviation experience?

I would be willing to work up to 2 years away from my DFW home, even overseas if nec, but would prefer to stay Stateside.
I have a degree in meteorology, but I suspect that since we all are tested on Meteorology, that playing field will be levelled. (My degree is from the 80's and I worked in MET only through 1990.)

Thank you in advance. HUGE career decision for me.

Welcome to JC. DFW will always be home to me, as well as a few other members here. As far as your questions...

Age shouldn't be much of a factor....lots of younger and older dispatchers working in both SOCC's that I have worked in.

Experience is important, especially at the major level.

Don't underestimate the upperhand that your met degree might give you during the job hunt. Knowledge in wx is priceless as a dispatcher.

As far as your decision to change careers....it's a hard one for me to give advice. All I can say is that I weigh my ability to enjoy my craft pretty heavily and have been happy with my choice.

 

[CluedIn]

Welcome to JC. DFW will always be home to me, as well as a few other members here. As far as your questions...

Age shouldn't be much of a factor....lots of younger and older dispatchers working in both SOCC's that I have worked in.

Experience is important, especially at the major level.

Don't underestimate the upperhand that your met degree might give you during the job hunt. Knowledge in wx is priceless as a dispatcher.

As far as your decision to change careers....it's a hard one for me to give advice. All I can say is that I weigh my ability to enjoy my craft pretty heavily and have been happy with my choice.

Thank you double_d. That's very encouraging.
I wouldn't want to go down a road knowing that it leads to a dead end beyond my control. Based upon your input, that does not appear to be the case.

Re: the career change...I've already left my field of IT and have no intentions of returning, so at least that decision is behind me.
Just trying to make sure I take the right path.

 

[manniax]

Great thread, pfcwintergreen and responders!
I hope somebody will be as candid with my question.

I just left a technology field and am now considering becoming a dispatcher. Salary is not too bid a concern to me...just want to be doing something I enjoy.
Question: Assuming I get certified, what are my chances of getting a job given that I am nearly 50 years old and have NO aviation experience?

I would be willing to work up to 2 years away from my DFW home, even overseas if nec, but would prefer to stay Stateside.
I have a degree in meteorology, but I suspect that since we all are tested on Meteorology, that playing field will be levelled. (My degree is from the 80's and I worked in MET only through 1990.)

Thank you in advance. HUGE career decision for me.

I am at a major, and we have hired people over 50, but they did have lots of experience. Realistically, I would say your odds of getting a job at a regional are good, but perhaps less good at getting on with a major, since you'd be in your early to mid 50's by the time you had a lot of dispatch experience. But you never know. Also, to "top out" at the pay scale at a major usually takes at least 10 years, so if you did get on with one, you might not reach the top out pay before retiring, depending upon what age you were to retire at. This is not all meant to discourage or anything, I'm just trying to be realistic. If you can find a regional airline you're happy at right out of school, you could well make a career of it, and I think your meteorology degree would be a big help in getting interviews. It could also help you get on with a major airline relatively quickly. However, a lot of when majors hire is cyclical depending upon the economy, so it's hard to say when the next big wave of hiring will occur. As long as you can put up with regional airline pay (which I think these days generally starts around $30K depending on the carrier) and realize that there is no guarantee you'll end up making big bucks within two or three years, go for it. It is a fun job, in my opinion. If you do stay at a regional I think the average top out is in the $50K range, again depending on the carrier.

 

[CluedIn]

I am at a major, and we have hired people over 50, but they did have lots of experience. Realistically, I would say your odds of getting a job at a regional are good, but perhaps less good at getting on with a major, since you'd be in your early to mid 50's by the time you had a lot of dispatch experience. But you never know. Also, to "top out" at the pay scale at a major usually takes at least 10 years, so if you did get on with one, you might not reach the top out pay before retiring, depending upon what age you were to retire at. This is not all meant to discourage or anything, I'm just trying to be realistic. If you can find a regional airline you're happy at right out of school, you could well make a career of it, and I think your meteorology degree would be a big help in getting interviews. It could also help you get on with a major airline relatively quickly. However, a lot of when majors hire is cyclical depending upon the economy, so it's hard to say when the next big wave of hiring will occur. As long as you can put up with regional airline pay (which I think these days generally starts around $30K depending on the carrier) and realize that there is no guarantee you'll end up making big bucks within two or three years, go for it. It is a fun job, in my opinion. If you do stay at a regional I think the average top out is in the $50K range, again depending on the carrier.

Thank you manniax. Again, exactly the kind of information I need to hear.
If I manage to get on with a regional, that would be fine.

Sure, I'd like to make a lot of money, but I don't HAVE to...I've learned the lesson that making more money is not worth being miserable. I am prepared for a big pay cut, but making ANY money would be nice after travelling the world the last year spending $$$$!!!!

 

[double_d]

I am at a major, and we have hired people over 50, but they did have lots of experience. Realistically, I would say your odds of getting a job at a regional are good, but perhaps less good at getting on with a major, since you'd be in your early to mid 50's by the time you had a lot of dispatch experience. But you never know. Also, to "top out" at the pay scale at a major usually takes at least 10 years, so if you did get on with one, you might not reach the top out pay before retiring, depending upon what age you were to retire at. This is not all meant to discourage or anything, I'm just trying to be realistic. If you can find a regional airline you're happy at right out of school, you could well make a career of it, and I think your meteorology degree would be a big help in getting interviews. It could also help you get on with a major airline relatively quickly. However, a lot of when majors hire is cyclical depending upon the economy, so it's hard to say when the next big wave of hiring will occur. As long as you can put up with regional airline pay (which I think these days generally starts around $30K depending on the carrier) and realize that there is no guarantee you'll end up making big bucks within two or three years, go for it. It is a fun job, in my opinion. If you do stay at a regional I think the average top out is in the $50K range, again depending on the carrier.

Mannimax makes a good point. Unfortunatley, the airlines work by seniority and experience, both of which take time. But you said you are already out of the IT field and that money is not a big issue, so the only thing you really need to ask yourself is if you would enjoy the dispatch profession. The short stint that I put in with a regional was a blast minus the paychecks. Working for a major is still fun, but is defidently a little more low key (in my experience).

I agree with mannimax and say you should go for it. Go check out iFOD over at the AA Training & Conference center just south of DFW airport. They can give you a good idea of what it takes as well as show you some of the material required to learn. That's where I got my certification and they are very welcoming. Let us know what you decide.

 

[manniax]

Thank you manniax. Again, exactly the kind of information I need to hear.
If I manage to get on with a regional, that would be fine.

Sure, I'd like to make a lot of money, but I don't HAVE to...I've learned the lesson that making more money is not worth being miserable. I am prepared for a big pay cut, but making ANY money would be nice after travelling the world the last year spending $$$$!!!!

The other thing is...I would say you need to be willing to move. There are some dispatch offices in the DFW area, but the only regional one I can think of is American Eagle, which is not hiring ATM (in fact, has people on furlough, I believe.) If you got a job offer from a good regional but it required moving to a different part of the country (Utah, Oregon, Wisconsin, etc.) would you be willing to make the switch and be willing to stay there a while?

Some jobs have the advantage of being available in almost any town or city (like health care jobs) but dispatch is not one of those fields. Of course, travel benefits make it pretty easy to visit your hometown frequently.

 

[CluedIn]

The other thing is...I would say you need to be willing to move. There are some dispatch offices in the DFW area, but the only regional one I can think of is American Eagle, which is not hiring ATM (in fact, has people on furlough, I believe.) If you got a job offer from a good regional but it required moving to a different part of the country (Utah, Oregon, Wisconsin, etc.) would you be willing to make the switch and be willing to stay there a while?

Some jobs have the advantage of being available in almost any town or city (like health care jobs) but dispatch is not one of those fields. Of course, travel benefits make it pretty easy to visit your hometown frequently.

Understood, thanks.
My wife and I have started discussing this. It must be settled, imo, before I attend school. I think American Eagle would be a loooooong shot out of school, so I must be realistic.

 

[n160lh]

The other thing is...I would say you need to be willing to move. There are some dispatch offices in the DFW area, but the only regional one I can think of is American Eagle, which is not hiring ATM (in fact, has people on furlough, I believe.) If you got a job offer from a good regional but it required moving to a different part of the country (Utah, Oregon, Wisconsin, etc.) would you be willing to make the switch and be willing to stay there a while?

Some jobs have the advantage of being available in almost any town or city (like health care jobs) but dispatch is not one of those fields. Of course, travel benefits make it pretty easy to visit your hometown frequently.

I also live in the DFW area, and I am also considering going into the dispatchers field... but here is my question: I am not really wanting to relocate... Can you commute as a dispatcher?:dunno:

-Wes-

 

[stickks]

I also live in the DFW area, and I am also considering going into the dispatchers field... but here is my question: I am not really wanting to relocate... Can you commute as a dispatcher?:dunno:

-Wes-

You can commute, but you will need a place to sleep when your in the other town. I went to dispatch school last year in Florida, came back, got a job with Mesa in PHX. Got furloughed there in January, and got a job in DFW with Ameriflight. I got lucky, as I am now back in my home town, and I sleep in my own bed. 135 dispatching is different than 121, but I do like it very much so far.

 

[manniax]

You can commute, but you will need a place to sleep when your in the other town. I went to dispatch school last year in Florida, came back, got a job with Mesa in PHX. Got furloughed there in January, and got a job in DFW with Ameriflight. I got lucky, as I am now back in my home town, and I sleep in my own bed. 135 dispatching is different than 121, but I do like it very much so far.

It's true, you CAN commute, but it can be difficult to support a second place to sleep on an entry-level dispatcher's salary. Many regional jobs only pay in the $13-14 per hour range to start. Congrats on getting on with an carrier in your hometown, though!

 

[double_d]

Commuting as a dispatcher is a sure recipe for aging quicker. The few that I knew that did it gave up after a couple of months and just moved. Also, relying on flights to get you to work on time and back home after your rotation can be a real headache on certain days due to heavy loads, WX, etc.... Last point...at both my previous and current employer I started out as a "relief" dispatcher, meaning you do not hold a line and therefore work a mix of different shifts, days on, and days off. In a nutshell, you don't really commute as a dispatcher...you either have two homes or one.

 

[stickks]

Commuting as a dispatcher is a sure recipe for aging quicker. The few that I knew that did it gave up after a couple of months and just moved. Also, relying on flights to get you to work on time and back home after your rotation can be a real headache on certain days due to heavy loads, WX, etc.... Last point...at both my previous and current employer I started out as a "relief" dispatcher, meaning you do not hold a line and therefore work a mix of different shifts, days on, and days off. In a nutshell, you don't really commute as a dispatcher...you either have two homes or one.

Agreed. I know a few people that had that whole relief dispatcher thing put upon them at Pinnacle, and they both ended up quitting after 4 months cause they literally had no life. They both had a real messed up schedule.

 

[F9DXER]

I guess I qualify as the most senior dispatcher in the US that commutes. 4 years, 2 months and 8 days, but who is counting.

Just from my experience of running my butt back and forth between IND and DEN, one needs to make about mid-upper 30's to even think about commuting.

And being on a relief line totally blows for commuting.

Expect to lose around 1 day of your days off for travelling.