General questions/training in Chicago

chanjobe1

chanjobe1

Member
Hi everyone, got a few questions about flight dispatch. I'm interested in getting my flight dispatcher certificate, but I live in Chicago and most of the courses I've seen are held in Texas, Florida, or Colorado. I've found one training center in Chicago (http://www.flightinnovation.us/), but no one I've spoken to has any experience with them. Do any of you know of a training center in Chicago (within the city proper; I don't have a car so commuting to the suburbs would take an obscene amount of time), or know anything about the school I linked above?

Got a couple more general questions, as well. Are there any benefits in choosing to train at a larger school (Jeppesen, etc.) over a smaller, local school? How difficult was finding your first job at a small/regional carrier? Finally, I know United has a dispatch center here, but does anyone know of a company within Chicago that would hire a newly-certificated dispatcher? I know I'll likely have to move eventually, but I do love my city and I'd prefer to stay here as long as I can.

Sorry about all the questions, and thanks in advance for any help you're able to give.
 
You are much better off going to a larger school as the school I went to had people from regional carriers come to the class to recruit. Also Jeppesen has gotten people into both skywest and their own operation from what I have heard.
 
chanjobe1 said:
Hi everyone, got a few questions about flight dispatch. I'm interested in getting my flight dispatcher certificate, but I live in Chicago and most of the courses I've seen are held in Texas, Florida, or Colorado. I've found one training center in Chicago (http://www.flightinnovation.us/), but no one I've spoken to has any experience with them. Do any of you know of a training center in Chicago (within the city proper; I don't have a car so commuting to the suburbs would take an obscene amount of time), or know anything about the school I linked above?

Got a couple more general questions, as well. Are there any benefits in choosing to train at a larger school (Jeppesen, etc.) over a smaller, local school? How difficult was finding your first job at a small/regional carrier? Finally, I know United has a dispatch center here, but does anyone know of a company within Chicago that would hire a newly-certificated dispatcher? I know I'll likely have to move eventually, but I do love my city and I'd prefer to stay here as long as I can.

Sorry about all the questions, and thanks in advance for any help you're able to give.
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Well you could also do online training also. Some schools offer this but it would require you to go at some point to the school for maybe a week depending on the school. As far as Chicago is concerned you are really narrowing your job options to maybe zero. As far as I know the only dispatch center in Chicago is United and they most certainly are not taking anyone fresh out of school. A long shot maybe to get on with UAL in some other capacity like agent or ramp and try to see if you can work your way into dispatch. I do not know how they are on internal promotions without experience. Manniax I believe works for them he posts on here maybe he could shed more light on UAL and their hiring practices. Other than that I would say yes you will have to be open to going anywhere to get that experience then maybe could get a shot at UAL in the future...Good Luck !
 
chanjobe1 said:
Hi everyone, got a few questions about flight dispatch. I'm interested in getting my flight dispatcher certificate, but I live in Chicago and most of the courses I've seen are held in Texas, Florida, or Colorado. I've found one training center in Chicago (http://www.flightinnovation.us/), but no one I've spoken to has any experience with them. Do any of you know of a training center in Chicago (within the city proper; I don't have a car so commuting to the suburbs would take an obscene amount of time), or know anything about the school I linked above?

Got a couple more general questions, as well. Are there any benefits in choosing to train at a larger school (Jeppesen, etc.) over a smaller, local school? How difficult was finding your first job at a small/regional carrier? Finally, I know United has a dispatch center here, but does anyone know of a company within Chicago that would hire a newly-certificated dispatcher? I know I'll likely have to move eventually, but I do love my city and I'd prefer to stay here as long as I can.

Sorry about all the questions, and thanks in advance for any help you're able to give.
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Welcome... I wanted to let you know that Flight Innovation is a new dispatch school in the Chicago area and is actually run by a current UA dispatcher. I think it might be a good option for you if you are wanting to get your license locally. Upon completion, they will be referring to UA. I was told that the last class had new dispatchers in it, so anything is possible. But I wouldn't put all your eggs in that basket by any means. It's much more typical to start at a regional or supplemental and moving to where they are.

Now my former employer (RIA) went out of business - temporarily. It appears they are being resurrected with new owners and CEO. It has been confirmed that the SOC will remain where we were before, in Rockford. So that's a possibility for you as well. I did the 60 minute drive every day from Schaumburg. There are a few 135 operators in the Chicagoland area as well, but it depends on what your goals are as to whether that would be a route you want to go. For me, I want to make a career at a major so it's 121 for me.

The "which school" question was one I had as well when looking into this as a career change. But in the end, obtaining my license is what really mattered, so just choose an option that fits into what's right for you.

Just remember that moving could always be a temporary thing. I mean, gain some experience elsewhere and one day end up putting in the rest of your years at UA. If you chose that school locally, at least you'd have some internal contacts and referrals. Or if location is that important to you, making a career at a local 135 op might be the way to go for you. Again, it depends on your goals and priorities.

Good luck to you, whatever you choose. I went to Jeppesen in DEN and can tell you that it's a good school. Very thorough...
 
There was a class taught at the University of Chicago by one of the higher ups in L-UAL dispatch. This was like 4+ years ago. Not sure if he still does the class (or if he is even still at United with the merger).

Might be the same guy that womanpilot73 is talking about,

AGS, depending on your aviation experience, has online classes followed by a fast track of only 4-5 days in a classroom. Very good program they provide.
 
No offense womanpilot, but if you're right about green dispatchers going straight to UA I may have to vomit. Would be the nail in my coffin =(
 
MT said:
No offense womanpilot, but if you're right about green dispatchers going straight to UA I may have to vomit. Would be the nail in my coffin =(
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I was quite shocked to hear that myself, as I've never gotten a call from them... But the guy that runs this new program told me not only did the last class have new dispatchers, who just dispatcher their first flights after 3 months of OJT, but when he got hired on, he too was a new dispatcher. He had previous experience as a planner, but still. I guess it gives me hope in a way... Just knowing that it's possible! And it makes me that much more determined to continually apply for these jobs that I don't feel experienced enough/qualified for!
 
So as a CO/UA dispatcher all I am going to say is that we hired some new people sure.

More importantly I have found out who is teaching this course here in Chicago and I would advise going to a larger school or going to an online program. And thats all I have to say about that.
 
BobDispatch said:
So as a CO/UA dispatcher all I am going to say is that we hired some new people sure.

More importantly I have found out who is teaching this course here in Chicago and I would advise going to a larger school or going to an online program. And thats all I have to say about that.
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Just to clarify, I do not know this individual personally... Only that he is a current dispatcher at UA. I'm not recommending him or trying to dissuade anyone - just know your options and do your research and make the appropriate decision for yourself.
 
BobDispatch said:
So as a CO/UA dispatcher all I am going to say is that we hired some new people sure.
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Well that's enough to destroy the hopes and dreams of all of us grinding out or time at the regionals and doing all the right things.

We're not called and dispatchers fresh out of school are hired by the majors.

Guess we all were duped so regionals could staff their offices.
 
belgiumania said:
Oh c'mon.neither way is a guarantee but lets not get all doom and gloom. How many people have you seen move to a major from a regional? A fair few I would imagine.
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I would tend to think that more people are hired from a regional or supplemental than right out of school. Seems that you definitely CAN get hired at a major out of school but it doesn't seem to be the norm. So for most of us, we'll keep putting in our time and hoping for the best. Either way, I think it's the luck of the draw. You have to remember too how many of us are applying for those major jobs every time they are posted. I plan to remain hopeful that my time will come :-)
 
MT said:
Well that's enough to destroy the hopes and dreams of all of us grinding out or time at the regionals and doing all the right things.

We're not called and dispatchers fresh out of school are hired by the majors.

Guess we all were duped so regionals could staff their offices.
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The only people I have ever seen get hired with no dispatch experience at a major were already employees of that major. Although I have seen people get hired externally with as little as a year of experience dispatching before, generally I think two years is the minimum. Again, it depends on the carrier.
 
jose1337 said:
Well, I did get an interview with Hawaiian w/out any experience so never say never...
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Yeah, you should always apply for any opening you see because you never can tell. But, while Hawaiian is definitely a large operation, I don't think they qualify as a major either.
 
BobDispatch said:
So as a CO/UA dispatcher all I am going to say is that we hired some new people sure.

More importantly I have found out who is teaching this course here in Chicago and I would advise going to a larger school or going to an online program. And thats all I have to say about that.
Click to expand...

I will continue the off-topic for moment, my question is, how hard is it to get certified by FAA to open up a school like that?
 
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