Interested in Dispatch

Aeroscout840 said:
A common thread in these discussions is the sad fact that after Dispatch school you need to be reprogrammed. I other words, there is a huge disconnect between what is necessary to pass the ADX/Oral and the skills needed to hit the ground running as a real life dispatcher -- what a shame. I've heard some schools, especially some college based programs, run training like a mock airline. Some version of that may be an interesting way of making the training more relevant.
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Couldn't agree more with the first part of this. While learning how to pass the ADX is a world in and of itself, the challenge afterward remains of learning how to dispatch. The regs, the meteorology, the charts, and then the OPSPECS of the airline you end up working for, are all big ticket items that you just cannot risk getting rusty on after becoming certified.
 
Burrito said:
Couldn't agree more with the first part of this. While learning how to pass the ADX is a world in and of itself, the challenge afterward remains of learning how to dispatch. The regs, the meteorology, the charts, and then the OPSPECS of the airline you end up working for, are all big ticket items that you just cannot risk getting rusty on after becoming certified.
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Dispatch school has a single purpose; to prepare you for the written, oral, and practical exams. The standard of measurement is the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards. That's what the curriculum is based on. They can't teach you "how" to dispatch, not formally anyway, because there are as many ways to dispatch as there are airlines. In my career, I had jobs where my duties and responsibilities were limited to those spelled out in 121.533, and I have had jobs where I also had the responsibility of managing my own sector/board, including equipment routing and customer service decisions. It was like running my own little airline. How can a dispatch school prepare you for that?

In another thread there was a certain amount of "my school is better than your school" because they didn't teach Exemption 3585 or Ops Spec C055. Of course they don't because those subjects are not part of the Practical Test Standards. The school only has 200 hours to prepare a class for the W/O/P's. They don't have the luxury of presenting material that doesn't specifically relate to that goal.

I have said before, and will repeat here, that the purpose of higher education is to teach principles, language, and fundamentals of a particular subject. From there it is up to the individual to continue to develop professionally. If you can pass a dispatch exam, I think you can figure out these other things for yourself.
 
So, I only read this thread until page 2. I feel as though I have read enough to ask my question.

I have a bachelor of arts degree, focusing on film/tv production. However, it seems my brain has steered me wrong when initially deciding what I wanted to do in life, and what I am more capable of. I have always been fascinated, enthralled and excited at the idea and prospect of working with air crafts. So...today I have discovered this career, Flight Dispatcher. Consider me, the newest of noobs.

I am 29, 30 in october. I want to start working, dammit. So, I have found a pretty fast distance learning course through Flamingo Air Academy. It seems affordable...but I don't want to spend $4k+ and then not be able to get a job because the school was a complete "party" school of air academies. I also do not have a ton of options in my area. It seems if you live in the NJ-PA-DE area, your major in college better be business or nursing, because if not, you're SOL. That's my experience, anyway. My partner(boyfriend...8 years) works for University of Pennsylvania, which is a great gig, so...we aren't going anywhere. I would really love for this Flamingo Air Academy to have some clout to it, but I also wouldn't want to waste VERY hard earned money, chasing a dream that isn't going to happen.

My question is, should I move forward with this Ohio based school?

This is the website.... http://agschools.com/distance-learning-option-students .

ANY insight, whatsoever, is appreciated. Thank you in advance!
 
Some will disagree, but I don't think it matters where you got your license. At the rate the majors are starting to hire, you will no doubt be able to get picked up by a regional pretty easily. As long as you don't have expectations of working for UA/AA/DL right out of dispatch school, you'll be fine.
 
Misslindsley said:
So, I only read this thread until page 2. I feel as though I have read enough to ask my question.

I have a bachelor of arts degree, focusing on film/tv production. However, it seems my brain has steered me wrong when initially deciding what I wanted to do in life, and what I am more capable of. I have always been fascinated, enthralled and excited at the idea and prospect of working with air crafts. So...today I have discovered this career, Flight Dispatcher. Consider me, the newest of noobs.

I am 29, 30 in october. I want to start working, dammit. So, I have found a pretty fast distance learning course through Flamingo Air Academy. It seems affordable...but I don't want to spend $4k+ and then not be able to get a job because the school was a complete "party" school of air academies. I also do not have a ton of options in my area. It seems if you live in the NJ-PA-DE area, your major in college better be business or nursing, because if not, you're SOL. That's my experience, anyway. My partner(boyfriend...8 years) works for University of Pennsylvania, which is a great gig, so...we aren't going anywhere. I would really love for this Flamingo Air Academy to have some clout to it, but I also wouldn't want to waste VERY hard earned money, chasing a dream that isn't going to happen.

My question is, should I move forward with this Ohio based school?

This is the website.... http://agschools.com/distance-learning-option-students .

ANY insight, whatsoever, is appreciated. Thank you in advance!
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When I googled FAA -Approved 14 CFR Part 65 Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses I found a few
in NY.
Are you able to take leave from work for 5 weeks to do a class if you can't find a class near where you live ?
I had zero aviation background and would never had made it without taking the 200 hour course in person.
At the time I worked 7-4 and took class 5-10pm 5 nights a week for 8 weeks and got a loan
to pay for the school. My entire life was work, school, study and sleep for a good 10 weeks
and I had help on the homefront.
There is some good info in the "New Dispatcher FAQ" forum along with many others that may help.
PM if you like and welcome to the aviation addiction !
 
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Misslindsley said:
My partner(boyfriend...8 years) works for University of Pennsylvania, which is a great gig, so...we aren't going anywhere.
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Because of the above statement (we aren't going anywhere) my answer to your next question:

Misslindsley said:
My question is, should I move forward with this Ohio based school?
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Is a resounding NO, unfortunately. Dispatching is a good job and I still enjoy it after almost 20 years in the field, but getting to choose where you work is not one of the benefits. I don't know of any dispatch offices in your area since US moved to Dallas, so I would say your odds of getting a dispatcher position a reasonable distance from your house are very slim. You can always try commuting, but that can be very hard on a relationship (since my most recent office move, we have had at least two people get divorced who were doing the commuting thing.)

My answer of "no" is not based on that particular school's qualifications...I honestly know nothing about them...but it doesn't matter really in your case what school you would go to and get your license from. If you can't move, don't try and pursue a dispatch career unless you like a lot of disappointment in your job search.
 
manniax said:
ERAU has a pretty good reputation among airlines, but I don't know much about their dispatch program. If you can work it into getting a degree while you're already there, though, it would definitely save you on time and money (since you're already there getting your degree and paying for classes.) I do work with one person who got their license through ERAU's Prescott campus and seemed to think it was good training.
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I went to ERAU-Prescott Campus, graduated and got my dispatcher certificate under their program. If you have any questions about them or their program, you can refer those to me. I don't know much about Sheffield or Jepp, but ERAU had an excellent program. No offense to anyone who went to those schools, but I don't think 6 weeks is enough to learn all of this stuff. I studied this stuff for 4 years and its A LOT to take in. I just don't think 6 weeks is enough training/schooling.
 
Misslindsley said:
So, I only read this thread until page 2. I feel as though I have read enough to ask my question.

I have a bachelor of arts degree, focusing on film/tv production. However, it seems my brain has steered me wrong when initially deciding what I wanted to do in life, and what I am more capable of. I have always been fascinated, enthralled and excited at the idea and prospect of working with air crafts. So...today I have discovered this career, Flight Dispatcher. Consider me, the newest of noobs.

I am 29, 30 in october. I want to start working, dammit. So, I have found a pretty fast distance learning course through Flamingo Air Academy. It seems affordable...but I don't want to spend $4k+ and then not be able to get a job because the school was a complete "party" school of air academies. I also do not have a ton of options in my area. It seems if you live in the NJ-PA-DE area, your major in college better be business or nursing, because if not, you're SOL. That's my experience, anyway. My partner(boyfriend...8 years) works for University of Pennsylvania, which is a great gig, so...we aren't going anywhere. I would really love for this Flamingo Air Academy to have some clout to it, but I also wouldn't want to waste VERY hard earned money, chasing a dream that isn't going to happen.

My question is, should I move forward with this Ohio based school?

This is the website.... http://agschools.com/distance-learning-option-students .

ANY insight, whatsoever, is appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
I'm not sold on distance learning for this program. Maybe of you had some kind of background in aviation, but if you do not physical classroom time would be preferred if not required. It will be much, much tougher to do this from a laptop away from instructors.
 
I got my dispatch ticket from FlightSafety at LGA. Since I had to work, I actually did my dispatch course over 12 weeks (I attended class from 8-12). People are correct, it does not matter where you get your ticket, as long as you have it. You will have a leg up applying at the majors with a Bachelor degree, and like Manniax said, as far as choosing where you live, I moved my wife from NYC (where she was born and raised) to relocate with a company to Cincinnati, and now we live in Memphis.
 
Makes me wonder why no one is complaining about the training they received in drivers ed way back when. They taught you the bascics and enough to pass the tests from there you learned by driving.
 
Summerdayz said:
When I googled FAA -Approved 14 CFR Part 65 Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses I found a few
in NY.
Are you able to take leave from work for 5 weeks to do a class if you can't find a class near where you live ?
I had zero aviation background and would never had made it without taking the 200 hour course in person.
At the time I worked 7-4 and took class 5-10pm 5 nights a week for 8 weeks and got a loan
to pay for the school. My entire life was work, school, study and sleep for a good 10 weeks
and I had help on the homefront.
There is some good info in the "New Dispatcher FAQ" forum along with many others that may help.
PM if you like and welcome to the aviation addiction !
Click to expand...


If you have alot of vacation try to see if your boss will allow you to take it all at once.

I went to school January 2015,but started planning in December 2013. I saved up all my money in 2014 working a hella of alot of trades and had 5 weeks vacation for 2015. Checked the class schedules for school and bid all my vacation for that month of class. That took care of my bills while I was in school.

Getting a loan also helps if you need too. It's all worth it.
 
Educational leaves of absence should be an employer standard. Having it on the ramp was a godsend while I was full-time out there -- I got my ticket last year at Sheffield solely because I saved up for a year, studied for the ADX whenever, and took five weeks during June to just go do it.
 
Another inquiry...
If there are no airline hubbs in my area, (PA/NJ/DE) is being a flight dispatcher just not in the cards? Can't move, boyfriend's job is a great position with a great company. Even though majors are ruled out, are regionals not a possibility?
 
Misslindsley said:
Another inquiry...
If there are no airline hubbs in my area, (PA/NJ/DE) is being a flight dispatcher just not in the cards? Can't move, boyfriend's job is a great position with a great company. Even though majors are ruled out, are regionals not a possibility?
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If you can't move being a dispatcher will be extremely difficult.
 
Misslindsley said:
Another inquiry...
If there are no airline hubbs in my area, (PA/NJ/DE) is being a flight dispatcher just not in the cards? Can't move, boyfriend's job is a great position with a great company. Even though majors are ruled out, are regionals not a possibility?
Click to expand...

This is going to sound bad, but if you really want to get in to dispatching, you're probably going to have to move, and well, there are always other fish in the sea.
 
Misslindsley said:
Another inquiry...
If there are no airline hubbs in my area, (PA/NJ/DE) is being a flight dispatcher just not in the cards? Can't move, boyfriend's job is a great position with a great company. Even though majors are ruled out, are regionals not a possibility?
Click to expand...

I'm from Philly, had to move. Wasn't even a question when I decided to get my license. The only office in Philly is 135 Flight Following for Comcast.
 
pljenkins said:
Until you try it. Its murder on a single person. Commuting while trying to maintain a relationship or a family is pretty close to impossible long term.
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Yeah just seemed like a more reasonable option than an immediate break up. If you can't move, and you still want to give dispatching a shot; then it's really the only option available.
 
PHL_Approach said:
I'm from Philly, had to move. Wasn't even a question when I decided to get my license. The only office in Philly is 135 Flight Following for Comcast.
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Yeah, you can't get into this with this mindset of not moving. That is, if your goal is to get to a major. So far, I've dispatched in IL, FL, and now KY, where I plan to stay. You've got to go where the work is to get the 121 experience.

Now if your goal is to make a career at your local Ma & Pa shop, then by all means...go for it. Otherwise, if moving isn't an option and commuting would be for the long haul, best of luck to you. I know I couldn't do it.

Also, if you decide that this is for you, and that you will in fact move for the jobs, know that financial assistance for moving is not something you'll likely get along the way. I've gone into debt twice now to get to my dream job. Worth it? Yes. But not easy when making peanuts while climbing that ladder.
 
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