Online Dispatch Schools & Experience Question

Josh Cazalot

Josh Cazalot

New Member
So being that we now live in a distance education for adults world I was wondering if some of you can chime in on this...... What are the best schools to attend to earn my Dx license online? I have heard that some programs allow you take a few months of online courses then spend a week or 2 at the school's campus to finish up and take the exams.

Also,
I just landed a job as a Flight Follower at an oil & gas helicopter transport company called Bristow. The job description seemed very close to that of an airline dispatcher.

This position is the first point of contact for all Bristow aircraft tracked by the flight following center in New Iberia. Operates radio and computer systems to provide flight following services while maintaining a flight following log. Maintains accurate fuel information and informs pilot of fuel status at offshore locations. Utilizes telephone and satellite tracking as back up for radio communications. Maintains complete familiarity with the company search and rescue plan. Notifies Flight Following Supervisor or Operations personnel of flight delays or mechanical difficulties relayed by pilots. Relays messages between company aircraft and customer's representative. Maintains accurate records of weather conditions as reported by pilots and disseminates the reports to other pilots and base managers. Serves as a customer service representative and coordinates with customers and company representatives as necessary for all daily requirements.

Do any of you know if the airlines would possibly see this as valuable experience that could give me a better shot at getting hired? Specifically ExpressJet or American Eagl.... i mean "ENVOY"? o_O
I love the Dallas and Atlanta areas and they are close to my current home.

Thanks to all!
 
I will defer to others on the online school question as I attended in person. Of course, that was back in the pre-internet "Dark Ages" so it would have been a lot more difficult to do back then. With regards to your current job, though, it does sound like good experience that would get you noticed by a regional. You'll definitely want to leave it eventually and go to a Part 121 carrier like the ones you mentioned in order to get some actual flight planning/shared operational control experience (that will help get you hired by a major down the road.) Still, having a flight follower job should enable you to be a bit more picky in choosing where you want to go, as you'll stand out above other freshly licensed people who don't have any dispatch-like job experience. You might also want to look at supplemental carriers - I know World Airways is in ATL and that would be awesome experience to get a major to notice you also.
 
I too was looking at a online dispatcher course . After talking to a few candidates who did it I decided not to . They said it's hard to learn the materials on your own ,you have to be 100% dedicated and also the instructors don't help you when you want to . Working a 12 hour job I know I would have been a slacker . But to each it's own , go for it if you think it's good for you .
 
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