from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good idea?

J

jathur02

New Member
I have already graduated CTI (Air Traffic Control) in May 2011 and want to pursue my dispatchers license. I have an interview with Ameriflight for a dispatch position and wanted to know what kind of pay I would be looking at getting..Is Ameriflight a good company to work for? I have tried looking for salaries, but haven't had any luck. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks..
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

jathur02 said:
I have already graduated CTI (Air Traffic Control) in May 2011 and want to pursue my dispatchers license. I have an interview with Ameriflight for a dispatch position and wanted to know what kind of pay I would be looking at getting..Is Ameriflight a good company to work for? I have tried looking for salaries, but haven't had any luck. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks..
Click to expand...

Based on what I have heard you will be taking a huge pay cut to go into aircraft dispatching from railroad dispatching. I don't know what the top-out is like in railroad dispatching, but to get back to what you are currently making now I am betting would take years, and require getting on with a major after getting experience at a regional airline. I don't want to discourage you if this is what you really want to do - just go in with your eyes wide open. I think the average starting salary is around $25-30K per year at a regional airline right now for a new dispatcher. I work at a major, and we had someone leave to go work at a railroad, and his starting pay was I think around $78K per year. I don't know if that was a particularly well-paying regional but to get to that pay scale at a major (depending upon which one you get to) will probably take about five years, and that's AFTER you've gotten a few years of experience working at a regional first.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

I am actually a conductor and not a dispatcher. I make around 40,000 to 45,000, but the schedule is 24/7 and not really much of a life. I figured a little bit of a pay cut wouldn't hurt at first and I might be making in the 40's after a couple of years right? I appreciate the response and hope I'm making the right move.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

Where are you working? I made like 65K and it's my first year here at BNSF. I had a few 5800 halves too. Railroad dispatching I believe is 328/day on an 8 hr day plus benefits and bonuses. Trainers and supervisors make more obviously but plan on 80-90K year if you stay working.

Airlines think 32-40 for a long time. Top out 60-70 if I remember correctly, used to be higher.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

Are you a conductor as well or a dispatcher? I work at NS.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

jathur02 said:
I have already graduated CTI (Air Traffic Control) in May 2011 and want to pursue my dispatchers license. I have an interview with Ameriflight for a dispatch position and wanted to know what kind of pay I would be looking at getting..Is Ameriflight a good company to work for? I have tried looking for salaries, but haven't had any luck. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks..
Click to expand...

Amf has flight coordinators it calls dispatchers. I don't think many of the dispatchers have an adx rating or whatever you might call it. No idea on pay... it seems good enough to get people to stick around for a good long time. The schedule looks like it's something like 10-12 hours a day 5 days a week, maybe 6 since there's flights on Saturday to... and well a few on Sunday for that matter depending where you are.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

ProudPilot said:
Where are you working? I made like 65K and it's my first year here at BNSF. I had a few 5800 halves too. Railroad dispatching I believe is 328/day on an 8 hr day plus benefits and bonuses. Trainers and supervisors make more obviously but plan on 80-90K year if you stay working.

Airlines think 32-40 for a long time. Top out 60-70 if I remember correctly, used to be higher.
Click to expand...

Top out is well above 60-70 at most majors but it does depend on the airline. At UPS the topout pay for dispatch is over 100K. Most regionals do top out in the 45-50K range though.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

jathur02 said:
I am actually a conductor and not a dispatcher. I make around 40,000 to 45,000, but the schedule is 24/7 and not really much of a life. I figured a little bit of a pay cut wouldn't hurt at first and I might be making in the 40's after a couple of years right? I appreciate the response and hope I'm making the right move.
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks for the clarification. Yes, you could be making in the 40's after a few years, but you would need to get on with a major to do so. You could definitely get back to your current pay staying at a regional but it would take longer, probably about 10 years depending upon that regional's pay scale. It's sort of a crapshoot determining how long it will be before you can get hired by a major - some people manage to do it within 2-3 years, others it takes longer. It depends upon how much hiring the majors are doing.

Alternatively, you could get your dispatch license and see if your railroad is hiring dispatchers, and what the pay for that is like. You would probably have an edge as a current employee getting hired into any open positions they have. I have heard at most railroads it pays pretty well - and that way you'd be spending nights at home and not on the road all the time.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

z987k said:
Amf has flight coordinators it calls dispatchers. I don't think many of the dispatchers have an adx rating or whatever you might call it. No idea on pay... it seems good enough to get people to stick around for a good long time. The schedule looks like it's something like 10-12 hours a day 5 days a week, maybe 6 since there's flights on Saturday to... and well a few on Sunday for that matter depending where you are.
Click to expand...

I have known a few people who worked at Ameriflight dispatch who had their dispatch licenses none of them liked it. One of them was able to build up his flight time enough while there to get on as a pilot for them though.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

jathur02 said:
Are you a conductor as well or a dispatcher? I work at NS.
Click to expand...

I am a conductor and I work for BNSF where it's cold, and busy. Anyways, look for a railroad dispatch position if you want the schedule and the money. If you want to work with aircraft, well that's a no brainer. I known BNSF doesn't have a flight department anymore. They use NetJets. So no real chance for flying with the railroad. Besides I guarantee the benefits are better with the railroad through UTU than they are at any flight job. You still get a pension and 401K with the railroad. Downside is the type of work you do, it's your choice.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

ProudPilot said:
I am a conductor and I work for BNSF where it's cold, and busy. Anyways, look for a railroad dispatch position if you want the schedule and the money. If you want to work with aircraft, well that's a no brainer. I known BNSF doesn't have a flight department anymore. They use NetJets. So no real chance for flying with the railroad. Besides I guarantee the benefits are better with the railroad through UTU than they are at any flight job. You still get a pension and 401K with the railroad. Downside is the type of work you do, it's your choice.
Click to expand...

Actually I still have a pension and 401K match at my employer. But it's definitely in the minority right now - most airlines now are just 401K but there are a few exceptions. Overall I would say my benefits are decent, but not awesome.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

The conductor job is ok, it's just the 24/7 on call thing kind of sucks..not ever being home at all. I know I would take a pay cut, but my ultimate goal is to become an air traffic controller, thus why I went to CTI school to get on the list. I just figured becoming a dispatcher would increase my chances of getting picked up through CTI quicker and help me gain experience at the same time. I just wish I knew what Ameriflight paid and when I would be working. It would be over an hour each way just on the commute to work if I did get the job.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

I've heard of some CTI students going straight into train dispatch because they like their degree. Plus you already working for the company which puts you in an advantage. I'd try to see if you can get in with your company. I don't know what the pay would be but I'm guessing it's somewhere around the $65k range starting out. It's funny because lots of flight dispatchers leave to go work for the trains, and not the other way around :)
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

Salary/Benefits: The entry rate is $244.73 per day until employee has worked 60 shifts solo as a train dispatcher, then employee will be paid the full rate of $305.91 per day. BNSF employees receive an annual benefit package valued at $22,000. The terms of the collective bargaining agreement shall apply.​


Tasks

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: This position is responsible for providing for the safe and efficient movement of trains over an assigned dispatching district, in accordance with BNSF's operating rules and practices. Concurrently, must also allow for the maximum utilization of maintenance forces by optimizing the time available for inspection, repair and capital improvement of the railroad track structure and signals.
SAFETY: Comply with company and federal safety rules, policies and procedures. Respond to safety concerns and take appropriate action. Manage unexpected events and emergency situations to protect the public, railroad employees and railroad property.
COORDINATION: Schedule the movement of trains to provide for safe meets and passes. Manage unexpected events and emergency situations to protect the public, railroad employees, and railroad property. Arrange for the use of track by engineering forces to permit timely maintenance while minimizing train delay and providing protection for such operation.
REPORTING: Maintain detailed and accurate records of train movement and track maintenance schedules using a variety of manual processes and computerized software applications.​


Requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• 18 years of age or older.
• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Must recognize that BNSF is a drug-free company.
• Willing to submit to an employment, criminal and driving background review.
• Available to work in the geographic area indicated.
• Able to read, write and communicate (speak, hear and understand) English, as well as issue oral instructions clearly and accurately using a variety of communication devices.
• Available to work a 40 hour work week subject to overtime, on-call and alternate shifts that may include weeknights, weekends and holidays.
• Able to visually distinguish among colors on a computer display screen and distinguish specific auditory information from background and/or competing sounds.
• Able to sustain concentration on processing multiple information inputs for extended periods of time.
• Able to sit for long periods of time.
•Able to accurately input data into computer systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
•Military air traffic controller experience highly preferred.
Training: Company paid on-the-job training is provided.
Relocation: Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
Work Conditions: Indoor, fast-paced, pressure filled work environment with changing priorities.
Probationary Period: Working 60 solo days without dispatcher supervision.
Travel: Minimal
Shifts/Hours: 40-hour work week subject to overtime, on-call and alternate shifts that may include weeknights, weekends and holidays. Shifts are governed by union agreement subject to seniority.
Dues: Per the collective bargaining agreement, union membership and monthly dues are required.
Background Investigation Elements:
• Extensive criminal record review if allowable.
• Verification of last 7 years of driving and employment history to include military service.
• Social Insurance Number verification.
• Academic and Education verification.
Pre-Employment Medical Qualification Process (to include, but not limited to: medical history questionnaire; physical capabilities test; physical exam).
The duties and responsibilities in this posting are representative categories to be used in deciding whether to apply for the position. These general categories do not necessarily constitute an exhaustive list of duties of the position.
All applicants will be notified by email regarding orientation, testing and interviews for this position. Please be sure to check your email on a daily basis.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC): Federal authority requires BNSF employees, whose work requires unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, to obtain a TWIC. A TWIC is a condition of employment for such positions and requires candidates to those positions to submit to a TSA security assessment (to include, but not limited to, providing: biographic information; identity documents; fingerprints; digital photograph). More information is available at www.tsa.gov/twic.​


Contract Type
Hourly​
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

The problem is, that there is NO POSITIONS open for train dispatching anywhere. I have tried that route and it seems like it would take forever. I guess I will see what they will offer and then go from there. I just don't know if I'm digging the conductor dig as much as I thought I would.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

https://careers.bnsf.com/sap/bc/webdynpro/sap/hrrcf_a_posting_apply?PARAM=cG9zdF9pbnN0X2d1aWQ9RTEyMkNDQUE3QkJGMjlGMUIyN0UwMDIxNUUyNjY5NTImY2FuZF90eXBlPUVYVA%3d%3d&sap-client=392&sap-language=EN&sap-ep-themeroot=SAP_CHROME

Search under Operations - Transportation, first result. You count as qualified. PM me for a reference name.

Wait about 30 days and they'll be one for either Fort Worth or San Bernadino. They hire fairly often, big business and there are retirements coming up. Besides, some guys just can't work the radio. Some conductors can't keep their cool.
 
Re: from the railroad to aircraft dispatch..is it a good ide

The last time I saw BNSF post for dispatchers was about 4 months ago.

Norfolk Southern currently has openings in FWA and PIT.

CSX just had some openings - one was in IND, dont remember where the other one was.
 
UP is looking for train dispatchers - of course it is OMA.

Pay is as follows

Salary:Competitive starting salary during the initial 7 month training period with an increase to $4,600 per month upon successful completion of training. Salary is increased to $5,100 per month exactly six months after successful completion of training. Salary is again increased to $6,400 per month exactly 12 months after the previous increase.

So if I did my math right, around ones 32nd month of employment you will be pulling the 6400/mo. Equates to 76,800/yr without overtime. Not to shabby IMO
 
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