New Dispatcher FAQ

Along the line of ratings, my opinion is the more the better. Granted, many people probably know better than me, but from what I've seen, some of the most successful people in aviation seem to completely immerse themselves in it, and accomplish as much as they can. I know there's one in particular who's a designated pilot examiner, airworthiness inspector, ATP holder, and heads the flight ops department at one particular regional. I've know of dispatch examiners that have pilot ratings on top of dispatch cert as well. I have a friend who has all the way up to his commercial, and an aviation degree who claims he thinks that was the biggest reason he was given a job at the major he's at. This is definitely not necessary of course, and you don't need to feel like it's a must to have a successful career, but I don't think it would be a waste of time to work on flight ratings. Might as well until you really decide what you want to do.
 
Luigi said:
There's a reason pilots have a high divorce rate. Being away from home that amount of time causes stress in all but the strongest families. At least with Dispatch you're home every night.
Click to expand...

Or...the second family in *insert country here* or "Is this the wife of Capt ____? By the way, my name is XXXX and I've been banging your husband for months now..."

There could be other reasons too, but that's for Dr. Phil to decide.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Quick update for those who contributed to my original questions:
My flight training is still quite stressful/difficult/not fun. I have about 6 hours. I think I'm maybe getting a little more comfortable, but I definitely don't have a good feeling about piloting -- I just don't think I'll ever trust myself to fly an airplane alone. I'm so thankful that jobs like dispatch exist, for people like me who don't necessarily want to fly. Anyways, thanks for all the advice, and I'll keep you guys posted!
 
Pilot121 said:
Quick update for those who contributed to my original questions:
My flight training is still quite stressful/difficult/not fun. I have about 6 hours. I think I'm maybe getting a little more comfortable, but I definitely don't have a good feeling about piloting -- I just don't think I'll ever trust myself to fly an airplane alone. I'm so thankful that jobs like dispatch exist, for people like me who don't necessarily want to fly. Anyways, thanks for all the advice, and I'll keep you guys posted!
Click to expand...
I didn't feel comfortable flying alone until after my second solo. At that time I was pretty scared, because I flew out during thunderstorms, and was wondering how I'd get back, if I'd need to land, what if I got stuck with no cell service and the thunderstorms lasted all night, then I called FSS and they talked me through some of the cells and told me it was clear past a certain point. My whole point is, what you are feeling is natural. I wouldn't trust you to fly alone right now either, that's why it takes 40 hours at least (took me 60) just to be competent enough to not kill yourself in clear skies, and light winds. The more you learn, the more you get comfortable with. I know the feeling of being worried about wasting a massive amount of money on something that won't help, but if you want it bad enough, you can do it, and the worries you have now will change.
 
Pilot121 said:
Quick update for those who contributed to my original questions:
My flight training is still quite stressful/difficult/not fun. I have about 6 hours. I think I'm maybe getting a little more comfortable, but I definitely don't have a good feeling about piloting -- I just don't think I'll ever trust myself to fly an airplane alone. I'm so thankful that jobs like dispatch exist, for people like me who don't necessarily want to fly. Anyways, thanks for all the advice, and I'll keep you guys posted!
Click to expand...

Well, lucky for you, it is going to be a while before you do have to fly an airplane alone! ;) Hang in there, I think everything new has a learning curve and it is normal to have doubts. Maybe there are a few people out there that just tackle everything new without a care in the World. I wish, but in my own personal experience, its all about overcoming hurdles. Then, looking back and wondering why I worried and had doubts so much in the first place. :)
 
Out of curiosity...
What do all of you dispatchers find to be the best/most enjoyable part of the job?
What's the worst?
 
Pilot121 said:
Out of curiosity...
What do all of you dispatchers find to be the best/most enjoyable part of the job?
What's the worst?
Click to expand...


Worst days like today. Not every day is skc and when you sit down you don't get up for 8 hours. Separates the men and and women from the boys and girls.
 
DispatcherSam said:
Today was no fun at all.

One time I had a captain tell me I was right and he should've listened to me. It is probably my favorite moment in my dispatch career.
Click to expand...
Pull the tapes and make that your voice mail so when they call your desk you don't have to answer. Your right!
 
DispatcherSam said:
Today was no fun at all.

One time I had a captain tell me I was right and he should've listened to me. It is probably my favorite moment in my dispatch career.
Click to expand...
This happened to me once. My boss pulled the recording and made me a copy. I burned it to a CD and framed it. Ahhhhh... Small victories!
 
Pilot121 said:
Out of curiosity...
What do all of you dispatchers find to be the best/most enjoyable part of the job?
What's the worst?
Click to expand...
SKC days are fine, but they're a little boring. Summer thunderstorms can be a lot a fun. There's nothing like a well-planned flight around a storm... and ATC actually ACCEPTS it instead of sending my planes barreling through the middle of it all!
 
pcstan said:
SKC days are fine, but they're a little boring. Summer thunderstorms can be a lot a fun. There's nothing like a well-planned flight around a storm... and ATC actually ACCEPTS it instead of sending my planes barreling through the middle of it all!
Click to expand...
What does SKC mean?
 
What do all of you think is the best way for me to prepare myself for the dispatch license training? I'm still in high school, and was wondering if there are any books/online lessons that I could read to get a head start.

Thanks!
 
Agreed on the weather stuff. By the time you go sit for your ADX you'll be way ahead of the game. Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Greetings all. I've been lurking on this forum since last year when I began thinking about a career as an aircraft dispatcher. I've found the site to be invaluable, so thanks to all! I graduated Sheffield in May of this year and have since been trying to get my first job, not just as a dispatcher but in the aviation field.. No luck so far. I've spent the previous 10 years working in the golf business and finally scratched my itch I've had all my life to do something in aviation. I've been applying everywhere and anywhere (Alaska, Yukon, you name it) and have struck out. I've probably applied to 10 places, managed 1 phone interview which I don't think went terribly well, had 1 other 'bite', a couple straight rejections, and the rest not even a response. So that's my situation! Anyway, hope you're all doing well and having a good summer!
Mike
 
METARd said:
Greetings all. I've been lurking on this forum since last year when I began thinking about a career as an aircraft dispatcher. I've found the site to be invaluable, so thanks to all! I graduated Sheffield in May of this year and have since been trying to get my first job, not just as a dispatcher but in the aviation field.. No luck so far. I've spent the previous 10 years working in the golf business and finally scratched my itch I've had all my life to do something in aviation. I've been applying everywhere and anywhere (Alaska, Yukon, you name it) and have struck out. I've probably applied to 10 places, managed 1 phone interview which I don't think went terribly well, had 1 other 'bite', a couple straight rejections, and the rest not even a response. So that's my situation! Anyway, hope you're all doing well and having a good summer!
Mike
Click to expand...

Hang in there. Hiring is slow right now but when it happens, there are usually more than one that will hire within a short time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
METARd said:
Greetings all. I've been lurking on this forum since last year when I began thinking about a career as an aircraft dispatcher. I've found the site to be invaluable, so thanks to all! I graduated Sheffield in May of this year and have since been trying to get my first job, not just as a dispatcher but in the aviation field.. No luck so far. I've spent the previous 10 years working in the golf business and finally scratched my itch I've had all my life to do something in aviation. I've been applying everywhere and anywhere (Alaska, Yukon, you name it) and have struck out. I've probably applied to 10 places, managed 1 phone interview which I don't think went terribly well, had 1 other 'bite', a couple straight rejections, and the rest not even a response. So that's my situation! Anyway, hope you're all doing well and having a good summer!
Mike
Click to expand...


You might want to consider a "foot in the door" jobs like scheduling or Ops assistant. Then you'll get to Dispatch once they get to know you and you get a hang of the company and hour they run business.
 
747Dispatcher said:
You might want to consider a "foot in the door" jobs like scheduling or Ops assistant. Then you'll get to Dispatch once they get to know you and you get a hang of the company and hour they run business.
Click to expand...


Having no luck on the dispatch front so far, I've begun applying for Ramp Service Agent and Line Service Technician jobs. I will look into scheduling and Ops assistant.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top