ExpressJet Hiring Dispatchers

I dont think you could ever pay me enough to be a crew scheduler. In all my years in aviation I have never seen such a thankless job. The amount of abuse that is taken from your own coworkers is ridiculous.

Good luck if you take it.
 
Crew scheduling can easily burn you out. The average scheduler barely lasts for six months at most regionals. Yes, it is likely to get you into dispatch once able to apply.
 
I have to say since I know many XJT pilots, if you do crew scheduling you'll definitely have lots of arguments with pilots. They purposely try to screw over scheduling all the time, but then again that might be the case at every regional.
 
The relationship between pilots and crew scheduler has always been a tenuous one no matter what airline you're talking about. Pilots same to interpret the rules differently and keep a running total of their hours in their head. Sometimes the total is correct and sometimes its not. The new part 117 rules certainly have not made this relationship any better. Honestly it's all in how you treat them first and not taking it personally when they bitch at you. If you can handle crew scheduling you can probably handle anything thrown at you in the soc.
 
Thank you all so much for your advice! Here is what I am facing at the moment; I currently work 2 part time jobs to help make ends meet. I've been trying to get into dispatch directly but can't seem to get as much as a phone call from anyone. I definitely do not want to rush into a bad job or poor working environment. I do handle stress extremely well, I am very laid back and I have excellent people skills. I would just hate to sit around for a year waiting to get picked up when I could at least be working towards something. Any other input or advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
Matthew White said:
Thank you all so much for your advice! Here is what I am facing at the moment; I currently work 2 part time jobs to help make ends meet. I've been trying to get into dispatch directly but can't seem to get as much as a phone call from anyone. I definitely do not want to rush into a bad job or poor working environment. I do handle stress extremely well, I am very laid back and I have excellent people skills. I would just hate to sit around for a year waiting to get picked up when I could at least be working towards something. Any other input or advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Scheduling is a good way to learn the operation - although it's not a job I would ever voluntarily take myself. If you do decide to take it, just keep your long-term goals in mind of moving over to dispatch, eventually getting hired by a major if that is what you want, etc. Just be prepared to talk to a lot of unhappy pilots while you're waiting for your probationary time to be up.
 
Matt, how long do you have to work as a scheduler before taking another position within the department?

There are advantages. The first seniority. The second is the opportunity to establish a working relationship with your future coworkers and boss. The third is simply just to have your foot in the door. When they start hiring dispatchers you're there ready to apply and already completed the background paperwork and necessary drug testing. Outside of major controversy I believe that you would have to be a shoo-in.
 
I think before talking a scheduling job at XJT you need to consider two things: first is to apply to any dispatch job that opens at other airlines during your 18 month probation period at XJT. Experience in dispatch is extremely important. Dont wait for XJT to hire after 18 months. Take the first dispatch offer that comes. XJT or any airline for the matter wont be loyal to you so you cant be loyal to XJT for 18 months.

Secondly, XJT is an airline that is heavy on 50 seaters and is dropping current flying due to an inability to staff planes. It is scheduled to lose 50 seaters steadily each year through retiring of the ERJ/CRJ types at UAL and DAL. 18 months is like a lifetime at the regionals. Be very careful about spending 18 months in crew scheduling hoping for a job that may never open up. XJT is not going to be a stable company until the reduction in 50 seaters and pilot shortage gets resolved. In this business, you hope for the best but plan for the worst.
 
Matthew White said:
Thank you all so much for your advice! Here is what I am facing at the moment; I currently work 2 part time jobs to help make ends meet. I've been trying to get into dispatch directly but can't seem to get as much as a phone call from anyone. I definitely do not want to rush into a bad job or poor working environment. I do handle stress extremely well, I am very laid back and I have excellent people skills. I would just hate to sit around for a year waiting to get picked up when I could at least be working towards something. Any other input or advice would be greatly appreciated!
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I know at my current shop, if you tried to take that road into Dispatch, you would be committed to the scheduling position for a minimum of 18 months, and most likely 24 months before you were eligible to submit an application for Dispatch. Even then you are still competing with folks with more dispatch experience then you.
 
Threw my name into the ring - guess we'll see what happens.

Good luck to anyone else in the forum that did the same.
 
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