From Dispatchers in CASS to Pilots

K

KeepinItLegal

Well-Known Member
Had a situation today where a dispatcher told me that a pilot from dispatcher’s own metal refused him because, “dispatchers can’t fly flight deck jumpseat.” This is very incorrect.

This made me frustrated because although many airline pilots never had a dispatcher fly up with them. This dispatcher almost didn’t get him home because pilot didn’t even check the FOM to see that we can fly up front.

This goes for almost all domestic airlines in the US… dispatchers can fly up front too. With permissions from CA of course.
 
KeepinItLegal said:
Had a situation today where a dispatcher told me that a pilot from dispatcher’s own metal refused him because, “dispatchers can’t fly flight deck jumpseat.” This is very incorrect.

This made me frustrated because although many airline pilots never had a dispatcher fly up with them. This dispatcher almost didn’t get him home because pilot didn’t even check the FOM to see that we can fly up front.

This goes for almost all domestic airlines in the US… dispatchers can fly up front too. With permissions from CA of course.
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You’ll find a lot of stupid CA. I was a paying passenger one time, and knew the FO, on our own medal. Went to say hello, and ca asked to see my medical a license.
 
Are FAs allowed to jump seat up front? I’m out of the 121 game but I remember being up there meant you are part of the crew and subject to the rules and regs of being in a 121 cockpit.
 
ASpilot2be said:
Because dispatchers have to do observation rides every so often. So they have to be CASS approved.
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Not just that… but the FAA considers the dispatchers to be direct operational partners with the PIC.

I also know a lot of dispatchers that commute just like pilots do to be able to get to the SOC they may dispatch at…and then go home… some places even have commuter clauses for their dispatchers… I believe Endeavor and DL do.

Yes, the 5 hour observation rides are a big reason for it… but most dispatchers clock way more time than 5 hours for needs of their own.

I wish more training was given to pilots about the true importance and needs of dispatchers since they are not just release pushers.
 
KeepinItLegal said:
Not just that… but the FAA considers the dispatchers to be direct operational partners with the PIC.

I also know a lot of dispatchers that commute just like pilots do to be able to get to the SOC they may dispatch at…and then go home… some places even have commuter clauses for their dispatchers… I believe Endeavor and DL do.

Yes, the 5 hour observation rides are a big reason for it… but most dispatchers clock way more time than 5 hours for needs of their own.

I wish more training was given to pilots about the true importance and needs of dispatchers since they are not just release pushers.
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I wish it was more common both ways. Most are pretty good but occasionally in my career I've had some that don't really seem to put much effort into the big picture or things like why carrying more gas might be appropriate, stuff that might not be really obvious without seeing the front line operation first hand. I think in the last decade I've seen a dispatcher up front twice and they were both just trying to get from A to B, not really doing a proper observation ride. It seems like most OCCs are always happy to have pilots show up and take a tour with a little heads up unless there's a major IROP going down.
 
KeepinItLegal said:
Had a situation today where a dispatcher told me that a pilot from dispatcher’s own metal refused him because, “dispatchers can’t fly flight deck jumpseat.” This is very incorrect.

This made me frustrated because although many airline pilots never had a dispatcher fly up with them. This dispatcher almost didn’t get him home because pilot didn’t even check the FOM to see that we can fly up front.

This goes for almost all domestic airlines in the US… dispatchers can fly up front too. With permissions from CA of course.
Click to expand...
I really get on a soapbox about how dispatchers are our partners, and I will move heaven and earth to get a DXer on.


We're all in this together.
 
FA's can only ride in the cockpit for there observation flight. They do like one in their career with the airline. I have not had a FA up front in a log time.

Dispatchers can ride in the cockpit. The list of who can ride in the cockpit is in FOM. A good captain should check the list if not sure. However some Captains are arrogant and like to throw their weight around.

I was in unform and full fare ticket as brand x was positioning me to pickup up a bid out of a storage facility. Since the company bought last minute I ended up in first. As I'm walking off the plane the captain of the flight pulls me a side and starts lecturing about 121 and how I need to ask permission to ride his plane and he will be contacting the JS committee as well as he's turning red. I asked do you treat all your paying passengers this way? Last time I checked I don't anyone's permission to ride in a purchased seat. I turned and walked away while he was stammering....

The job isn't that hard unless you make it, and some capts unfortunately like to make it hard. If you don't know look it up or ask a duty chief. Looking stuff today wicked easy with the iPad and quick search.
 
I would love to have a dispatcher on the jumpseat on a bad weather day with holding, maybe throw in ECAM issue, and then have them take forever to answer a phone or acars. Seems the only time i have gotten them is on a Bluesky day with extra fuel.
 
Bandit_Driver said:
I have a love hate relationship with dispatchers, some are better than others.
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There are certain names when, upon seeing them on the release, I know I'm gonna be on my own. There's others I see where I know I won't have any issues or waits if I need anything from dispatch. Still there are a rare few I see and know I'll be getting updates and info way before I even know I want it. I treasure those ones.
 
As a dispatcher myself… I am not perfect and I do miss stuff on occasion that I’m sure has rattled a captain or two… I hate the days where I plan 40-50 flights and lose track of everything… especially if I’m supposed to flight follow 7-8 flights happening all at the same time with nasty weather or etc… It’s uncomfortable for any dispatcher, even the good ones to deal with this.

It is understandable if this is a serial offender of bad flight following… but even the best miss something, especially with a lot going on… I wouldn’t make stark / quick judgement of a dispatcher if they screw up… we know who those dispatchers are in the headquarters already.

It’s also the other way around too… sometimes us dispatchers get nervous about seeing a particular pilot’s name on a release and we feel like anything we do is going to be disregarded… or worse, ignored completely. Our name is on there just as equally important as yours. (I will say… I do believe operationally, the CA does have more at stake though and deserves more respect from purely a responsibility standpoint) 🫡

In practicality though… It’s a huge issue if the dispatcher doesn’t get back to the captain or let them know what’s happening ahead. We can get in big trouble for neglecting our crew…. But I, sometimes (not all the time) get very vague/ some not good replies from the pilot’s end as well. Which as a dispatcher… makes me not feel that important sometimes with the work I’m doing.

I’ve definitely learned that there is quite a symbiotic relationship between the PIC and dispatch… and you don’t know what you’re missing if you neglect it or don’t utilize…or ignore it.
 
Back in my PSA days I would occasionally ferry an airplane out of DAY. Generally from the mx hangar. It was always a good time to go in and talk with the dispatcher and have a few minutes of question/answer session. Particularly if there was something strange from a flight in the past. Learned a lot from them.
 
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