DX’R to Jet driver, back to DX’R?

SteamgaugeDXer

SteamgaugeDXer

Well-Known Member
I earned all of my pilot ratings while working as a dispatcher and early last year made the leap to flying full time. Passed my type rating and IOE no problems. The trouble is that I’m just not sure that being at Jet jockey is for me. I found that I like being a CFI in little airplanes more. I’ve considered going back to dispatch and teaching on the side. My end goal is big brown. Will having a type rating and some Jet time hurt my chances of getting back into DX?
 
SteamgaugeDXer said:
I earned all of my pilot ratings while working as a dispatcher and early last year made the leap to flying full time. Passed my type rating and IOE no problems. The trouble is that I’m just not sure that being at Jet jockey is for me. I found that I like being a CFI in little airplanes more. I’ve considered going back to dispatch and teaching on the side. My end goal is big brown. Will having a type rating and some Jet time hurt my chances of getting back into DX?
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It will actually improve your chances. Commercial license and instrument ratings are a big plus for a lot of companies.

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SteamgaugeDXer said:
I earned all of my pilot ratings while working as a dispatcher and early last year made the leap to flying full time. Passed my type rating and IOE no problems. The trouble is that I’m just not sure that being at Jet jockey is for me. I found that I like being a CFI in little airplanes more. I’ve considered going back to dispatch and teaching on the side. My end goal is big brown. Will having a type rating and some Jet time hurt my chances of getting back into DX?
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Care to share what it is that is making you think it’s not for you?
 
AA34 said:
Care to share what it is that is making you think it’s not for you?
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To summarize I’ve had a terrible experience with a terrible company has put an extremely bad taste in mouth. It’s also high stress and a lot of time away from home.
 
I would ask, why limit yourself to dispaching? with your exp and ratings there are many types of jobs out there. You could work for CAE or FlightSafety ...or Jeppeson/Boeing. No flight benefits but...You would still have some access to flying and teaching in the sims.
Dispatching would be my last resort if I had your ratings.....Is this your last resort?
 
I don't think having the flight experience would hurt you. Have a great storyline to explain why you don't want fly full time to tell at the interview and people will understand that. As far as flying, would encourage you to instruct as your time allows, and maybe do some contract flying in the jet your familiar with. Staying current PIC is pretty expensive but it might be worth it. You can do right seat stuff with far less. Check out FAR 61.55. Having a PIC type with some time in type, even if you're not current, makes for a pretty attractive SIC contract pilot.
 
I know of at least one big 4 major airline dispatcher who loves being a CFI on the side. Dispatching at a major airline is great if you love teaching flying. Major airline dispatchers make really good money, lots of time off and shift trades on top of that allow for even more flexibility. As a CFI, you can pick and choose which students you want, when you want.
 
Troy McClure said:
Dispatching would be my last resort if I had your ratings.....Is this your last resort?
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We were overdue for a music video link in this forum, so...



I personally don't see dispatch as a "last resort" although I understand everyone likes different stuff. At my current major, I work with a few pretty experienced pilots, some of whom still fly on the side doing various things (including instructing.) One co-worker used to be a captain at a well-known regional but, like SteamgaugeDXer, he grew tired of the lifestyle.
 
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