New Here, Many Questions

Hey Russ,

You mentioned living in South Florida. I work in the Spirit OCC. If you ever want a tour so you can get a feel for what happens in dispatch and an OCC, shoot me a PM.

Much appreciated! I live in the Tampa area, but I am down there visiting family usually every other month or so, I'll definitely shoot you a PM on my next trip down.
 
CPZ9900 said:
There's a lot of buzzwords in there, brah. It's a good thing that I don't live and die on an internet forum. It's actually quite comical how serious some of y'all take this. Sure its fun to share some advice and help each other out, but in the end, it's still just the internet.

FYI - for all you newbies out there... I just want to say that this internet forum and the networking I've done here has led to opportunities to interview for each dispatch job I've had. From there, hard work, preparation and attitude landed me those jobs. Understand that this is not "just the internet" as CPZ9900 stated above. For those with the right attitude, this is a great opportunity to network and get to know some great dispatchers out there. Everything you say can have an effect on your future. Don't think for a second that hiring managers aren't reading this forum. And don't think that a poor attitude on here won't hurt your chances of getting a recommendation from a fellow dispatcher here. Internal recommendations weigh heavily with hiring managers. We are a very small community and word travels fast. So be cautious - what you say here can follow you.

I've received a lot of great advice here, made some friends and gotten some awesome recommendations. I'm grateful for this forum and for the journey that led me to where I am now. The advice and help I received back when I was just figuring out what the heck dispatch was has been awesome and I thank those on this forum again. I try to pay it forward now and suggest the same from those just starting out. Like anything in life, this is what you make it. You can make it work for you, or against you...your choice.
 
FYI - for all you newbies out there... I just want to say that this internet forum and the networking I've done here has led to opportunities to interview for each dispatch job I've had. From there, hard work, preparation and attitude landed me those jobs. Understand that this is not "just the internet" as CPZ9900 stated above. For those with the right attitude, this is a great opportunity to network and get to know some great dispatchers out there. Everything you say can have an effect on your future. Don't think for a second that hiring managers aren't reading this forum. And don't think that a poor attitude on here won't hurt your chances of getting a recommendation from a fellow dispatcher here. Internal recommendations weigh heavily with hiring managers. We are a very small community and word travels fast. So be cautious - what you say here can follow you.

I've received a lot of great advice here, made some friends and gotten some awesome recommendations. I'm grateful for this forum and for the journey that led me to where I am now. The advice and help I received back when I was just figuring out what the heck dispatch was has been awesome and I thank those on this forum again. I try to pay it forward now and suggest the same from those just starting out. Like anything in life, this is what you make it. You can make it work for you, or against you...your choice.
it is shameful that someone recommended another person on this forum simply on grounds of their positive attitude via posting. A simple rule, never recommend someone until you have actually worked with them! For all we know woman pilot could be some 60 year old dude who can't derive basic alt mins and has a bad habit of showing up 30 minutes late for turnover for her (or his) Starbucks addiction.
 
Reek said:
it is shameful that someone recommended another person on this forum simply on grounds of their positive attitude via posting. A simple rule, never recommend someone until you have actually worked with them! For all we know woman pilot could be some 60 year old dude who can't derive basic alt mins and has a bad habit of showing up 30 minutes late for turnover for her (or his) Starbucks addiction.

You made an assumption based on what I posted and you are wrong. I didn't receive a recommendation for anything based on simply having a positive attitude or what I post here. I said that your attitude here and what you post can affect your future. A negative attitude here does not help your cause when trying to get a job. And for the record, I am not what you say I "could be".
 
FYI - for all you newbies out there... I just want to say that this internet forum and the networking I've done here has led to opportunities to interview for each dispatch job I've had. From there, hard work, preparation and attitude landed me those jobs. Understand that this is not "just the internet" as CPZ9900 stated above. For those with the right attitude, this is a great opportunity to network and get to know some great dispatchers out there. Everything you say can have an effect on your future. Don't think for a second that hiring managers aren't reading this forum. And don't think that a poor attitude on here won't hurt your chances of getting a recommendation from a fellow dispatcher here. Internal recommendations weigh heavily with hiring managers. We are a very small community and word travels fast. So be cautious - what you say here can follow you.

I've received a lot of great advice here, made some friends and gotten some awesome recommendations. I'm grateful for this forum and for the journey that led me to where I am now. The advice and help I received back when I was just figuring out what the heck dispatch was has been awesome and I thank those on this forum again. I try to pay it forward now and suggest the same from those just starting out. Like anything in life, this is what you make it. You can make it work for you, or against you...your choice.
Thank you, how long until you got your first job?
 
Sorry Reek, you really messed up on this one. I have met Womanpilot. She is as real as they come. She has done more in her dispacth career than I or most anyone will ever see. I consider her a very good friend. She knows how to ask the questions she needs answered, what they mean to her job and her career. She has no problem helping anyone at anytime. I will defend her because not only of who she is but because of who she is.

Remember Reek, if you haven't learned anything - keep this in mind - this is a very very small career field.

Also I don't have to work with someone to know how they will be as a dispatcher and when I do recommend someone it is because I feel they not only can do the job but fit the culture of the job.
 
Wow, thank you F9. It's the professionals like you that I've met here that I truly thank so much. You've been here, like many others, and watched me go from being "interested in dispatch" to becoming a successful dispatcher. And you've been a part of advising, encouraging and teaching. I can't thank you enough.

Newbies... Here's a perfect example of how this forum can be more than "just the Internet" as previously stated by CPZ9900. This once stranger - F9DXER, is now not only a colleague, but a friend. Networking can be more than just an attempt at furthering one's career.
 
it is shameful that someone recommended another person on this forum simply on grounds of their positive attitude via posting. A simple rule, never recommend someone until you have actually worked with them! For all we know woman pilot could be some 60 year old dude who can't derive basic alt mins and has a bad habit of showing up 30 minutes late for turnover for her (or his) Starbucks addiction.
I really wish there was a dislike button. :bang:
Womanpilot has been very helpful and you should be ashamed of yourself. I've been watching this forum for a few months now and numerous members like her and pljenkins have been paramount to my decision making to begin this venture on a new career path. I just want to say thank you to those who contribute positively- you are making this stressful time in my life much simpler. :):bounce:
I do have many more questions!
 
Hello all,
I currently work at a local FBO near Round Rock, TX and was wondering what dispatch schools you would reccomend. Ive heard about IFOD in Dallas but I'm not sure I want to commit 5 weeks to this as I don't have that much $. Does anyone know much about the Universal program? Why is Sheffield the best? I'm hoping to get my license by April and then quickly get on with Enovy so I can move on to American quicker with the next 1-2 years.
Thank you.
I completed IFOD in May 2014 after considering Sheffield and Jeppesen. I chose it beause it started in two weeks and Sheffield started in five weeks. After comparing costs (travel, room, food, etc) it just so happened to be the cheapest of the more popular schools by a good sum. There are worse things you could spend a tax refund on. ;)

You're just getting your license. Find the school that's closest and/or starts as soon as you're prepared. You really can't go wrong with those three. Recently, I have been working with some people who did their time at Flamingo and that doesn't seem like a bad shop either.

The most prepared from day one guy I have worked with got his at MTSU in their Aviation department when he was working on his BS. It's a semester-long course I think, so lots of good, in-depth weather, nav systems, etc spread over several weeks instead of crammed into a month.
 
Last edited:
First off I'm new here, I have been reading these threads quite a bit and have found them to be very helpful, and I have reviewed most of the FAQ's.. I'm eager to meet and work with you all.

I am currently enrolled with Universal Weather and Aviation (company that I'm working for right now), and will be travelling to Houston in February for the practical. I see posts on here alot that say recruiters came to their class and hired that way, does anyone have experience with Universal Weather? Just curious if recruiters might skip over UWA.

I'm open to moving anywhere for a job, but the FLL area is only a few hours from me, so I was looking at Spirit and Silver Airways down there. Anyone have any advice regarding these companies?

One last thing, I am doing CS/logistics work with part 135 providers right now (Netjets, Flexjet etc), does experience in that area carry over to commercial at all?
While I don't have direct experience with Universal myself, we have a lot of dispatchers here (One of the big 4) that came from universal (dispatch, or flight support) and they are extremely competent dispatchers capable of doing the job. I wouldn't worry about recruiters, or hiring managers "skipping over you" because you're from universal. Networking is key and I cannot stress that enough. Get your time at a regional or supplemental then move on to a major if you so choose. NEVER BURN YOUR BRIDGES in this industry. I cannot count how many times a hiring manager showed me a resume asking about said person only for me to give the gladiator thumbs down. No call, no interview. Thats just how it works.
 
Ask away! As the others have said, we're here to help.
- B

.... Also, womanpilot73...weren't you at a global cargo carrier that operated M1Fs with Western nomenclature!? What....where the heck have I been?! PM me!
What regional is good?
 
What regional is good?
It really depends on what you mean by "good". You will get valuable experience at nearly any regional you go to. Most regionals will treat dispatchers as release factories. You will work very hard at a regional and a lot of times deal with policies that you find nonsensical. That's the nature of the game and it's something you have to accept you will deal with for a few years. It really comes down to where you want to live.
 
CRJInTheHeartOfTexas said:
Thank you, how long until you got your first job?

I'm sorry I didn't see this until now. I was able to tour an SOC prior to going to dispatch school, thanks to a forum member here (thank you!). After that tour, I maintained communications with the DO about my decision to dive in and get my license, as well as my progress. Timing was on my side and I landed an interview and was hired right after getting my license.
 
CRJInTheHeartOfTexas said:
What regional is good?

I don't have experience with regionals but people speak pretty highly of Skywest on here. Some are not so fond of UT, but I find UT to be one of the most beautiful states with tons to do outdoors. Had I gone the regional route, I'd have tried to get on there.
 
I don't have experience with regionals but people speak pretty highly of Skywest on here. Some are not so fond of UT, but I find UT to be one of the most beautiful states with tons to do outdoors. Had I gone the regional route, I'd have tried to get on there.
That would be cool. Are the people there not too political with their beliefs, I consider myself a bit liberal and don't know if I'll fit in well.
What about enovy? I love Texas and would love stay near Dallas or Austin
 
That would be cool. Are the people there not too political with their beliefs, I consider myself a bit liberal and don't know if I'll fit in well.
What about enovy? I love Texas and would love stay near Dallas or Austin

Be willing to move...do not set your heart on remaining within one place. With that being said, Dallas is a terrific aviation town, however, the future of ENY seems to be somewhat murky IIRC. I would try to get on with Skywest, Compass, or Endeavor as my first regional.
 
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