SWA Assistant Dispatcher Posting

[Juliet Zulu]

Hi All,

I just wanted to give you a heads up that SWA will solicit interest for Assistant Dispatcher in the near future.

Thanks,

JZ

 

[pljenkins]

Hi All,

I just wanted to give you a heads up that SWA will solicit interest for Assistant Dispatcher in the near future.

Thanks,

JZ

Rumor has it we are looking for a bunch. Heard 20 being tossed around, February class. Great opportunity to get in!

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Any idea when that posting will go out? I have a friend who is really interested.

 

[LowBypass]

20!?

 

[pljenkins]

20!?

That's the scuttlebutt going around. I'm assuming that at least some will go internal but with that many there will be opportunity-o-plenty for new hires.

Next week or two I'm guessing they'll post it. As always, check early check often. Dispatch openings at WN are fast and fleeting!

 

[DispatcherSam]

I heard the entry exam is fairly brutal, can you shed some light on that pljenkins?

 

[pljenkins]

I heard the entry exam is fairly brutal, can you shed some light on that pljenkins?

I don't think it was particularly difficult. Thorough, but nothing in there that is designed as a "gotcha". Just make sure you're familiar with your fundamentals and you'll be fine. Test consists of your typical mix of weather, wx chart interpretation, interpreting hi and lo charts and approach plates as well as FAR questions. Very typical test but there is a time limit of 1 hour to complete it so some time management is needed. Also be sure to read the question! You might need to read it a second time to make sure you understand what is being asked. Anyway if you come prepared there is no reason to sweat the exam.

 

[DispatcherSam]

Thank you sir

 

[cdndx]

I don't think it was particularly difficult. Thorough, but nothing in there that is designed as a "gotcha". Just make sure you're familiar with your fundamentals and you'll be fine. Test consists of your typical mix of weather, wx chart interpretation, interpreting hi and lo charts and approach plates as well as FAR questions. Very typical test but there is a time limit of 1 hour to complete it so some time management is needed. Also be sure to read the question! You might need to read it a second time to make sure you understand what is being asked. Anyway if you come prepared there is no reason to sweat the exam.

How long are you an assistant for?

 

[pljenkins]

How long are you an assistant for?

That is very dependent on your seniority within the assistant ranks and demand on the floor. There are some that were assistants for a few months and there are those that were assistants for 3 years. Due to the demand we've been working through our assistant stock pretty quickly (thus the new hiring). I spent 11 months as an assistant and I was towards the lower half of seniority by class. I have no idea what the master plan is so I'm afraid I cannot speak intelligently on what our new hires this round should expect, but a safe mindset Is to be prepared for two years. You will likely be called up before then, but it's impossible to commit to a solid call up date.

 

[cdndx]

That is very dependent on your seniority within the assistant ranks and demand on the floor. There are some that were assistants for a few months and there are those that were assistants for 3 years. Due to the demand we've been working through our assistant stock pretty quickly (thus the new hiring). I spent 11 months as an assistant and I was towards the lower half of seniority by class. I have no idea what the master plan is so I'm afraid I cannot speak intelligently on what our new hires this round should expect, but a safe mindset Is to be prepared for two years. You will likely be called up before then, but it's impossible to commit to a solid call up date.

2 yrs as an assistant, wow. I assume you are in the union as an assistant? Can you live off of assistant pay? Do assistants actually do dispatch work or do they just jr man ppl?

 

[motoboy]

2 yrs as an assistant, wow. I assume you are in the union as an assistant? Can you live off of assistant pay? Do assistants actually do dispatch work or do they just jr man ppl?

Assistants are still compensated well, from what I recall mid 50's.

 

[TaxiBack]

Have you guys at WN fully ramped up the AirTran 'international" routes? A few months back WN announced no jumpseating until they sorted out the GenDec issues with the new routes. They were only implementing a few flights at that time to Mexico. Is this potential round of hiring part of that?

Also, to follow up on CDnDXs question...are the Asst DXers part of the same contract as Dispatchers? So other than, pay scale , do A-Dxers get similar deals in terms of pto, etc??

 

[jetstream7104]

Link to the thread when SWA hired back in June. Lots of great info on life as an Assistant:

http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/swa-to-hire-9.199406/

 

[Wolfman14]

Once it posts I only have access
to the Internet on my phone. Will
it allow me to apply if my profile and resume have been creeated

 

[jetstream7104]

Once it posts I only have access
to the Internet on my phone. Will
it allow me to apply if my profile and resume have been creeated

Yes it will. That's the way I applied last time. Was at the mall waiting on my wife when I saw the posting. Took just a few minutes and immediately got an email confirming my app when through.

 

[Wolfman14]

Thanks I work overnights and
my phone is fastest way to apply.

 

[pljenkins]

2 yrs as an assistant, wow. I assume you are in the union as an assistant? Can you live off of assistant pay? Do assistants actually do dispatch work or do they just jr man ppl?

Assistant pay all in is around the lower-mid 50's, which is 74% of full dispatch rate. I came here with a family of 3 and did just fine. Remember too you do not pay state income taxes in Texas. Most expenses are in the middle of the price range for urban areas, however auto insurance is higher because people here have absolutely no clue how to properly operate a motor vehicle.

Assistants are under the same contract as the dispatchers and are on the same master seniority list, so you don't start back at the bottom when you get called up. PTO and work rules are the same for assistants and dispatchers, the only difference is the 74% and the work classification. Work will be split between working the assistant desk and OJT at a position. The ratio of Asst desk vs working the floor is dependent on several factors. There is a minimum number of hours of OJT that must be met before a dispatcher is eligible to upgrade, so anticipated upgrade demand will effect that ratio.

From everything I've seen, international jumpseating has been sorted and the embargo lifted.

 

[BigFellor]

Thanks for the info, PL. So what is involved on the "assistant desk"? With modern technology I just can't see a need for assistants anymore.

 

[BoilerOps]

Assistant pay all in is around the lower-mid 50's, which is 74% of full dispatch rate. I came here with a family of 3 and did just fine. Remember too you do not pay state income taxes in Texas. Most expenses are in the middle of the price range for urban areas, however auto insurance is higher because people here have absolutely no clue how to properly operate a motor vehicle.

Assistants are under the same contract as the dispatchers and are on the same master seniority list, so you don't start back at the bottom when you get called up. PTO and work rules are the same for assistants and dispatchers, the only difference is the 74% and the work classification. Work will be split between working the assistant desk and OJT at a position. The ratio of Asst desk vs working the floor is dependent on several factors. There is a minimum number of hours of OJT that must be met before a dispatcher is eligible to upgrade, so anticipated upgrade demand will effect that ratio.

From everything I've seen, international jumpseating has been sorted and the embargo lifted.

By work rules do you also mean the same 6-3-6-3-6-6 schedule?