Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
Adispatcher wrote:Ask away. I'm guessing you're in the western world as 'dispatcher' has a different meaning in other places.
From my U.S. perspective, the class is only scratching the surface of what dispatching is and will mostly focus on vague aviation topics, but will start to build the foundation of your job. What you learn there is important and will be dissected further when you get to an airline. The certificate will be expensive, $3-5k most likely and will give you no job guarantee. After that, you have a good shot of joining a regional carrier. Expect under $20/hr. A few years of experience will give you the qualifications to apply to a major carrier where you will have a much better quality of life, in both schedule and pay.
I'm not great at math. Much of our software applies appropriate calculations and you can generally tell when something just doesn't add up. I don't do any weight and balance stuff at my airline, but I still take into account all performance and structural weight limits. It is not my job to determine how that weight is used. The dispatch course will require those calculations, however.
I'm at a major carrier and love it. It's a great work/life balance and the benefits can't be beat. However, you'll have real shitty days. Days that everything goes wrong at once. You will be juggling long taxi outs, medical emergencies, holding, and then maintenance will call to add an MEL that requires lots of thought and calculation.
On the flip side, you'll be working a shift one day board out of your mind on overtime because the operation is on autopilot and wonder why you just got paid $1500 for 10 hours of chatting with your neighbors.
Overall, it is a great job and you have a sense of accomplishment after every day.
Cadet985 wrote:Adispatcher wrote:Ask away. I'm guessing you're in the western world as 'dispatcher' has a different meaning in other places.
From my U.S. perspective, the class is only scratching the surface of what dispatching is and will mostly focus on vague aviation topics, but will start to build the foundation of your job. What you learn there is important and will be dissected further when you get to an airline. The certificate will be expensive, $3-5k most likely and will give you no job guarantee. After that, you have a good shot of joining a regional carrier. Expect under $20/hr. A few years of experience will give you the qualifications to apply to a major carrier where you will have a much better quality of life, in both schedule and pay.
I'm not great at math. Much of our software applies appropriate calculations and you can generally tell when something just doesn't add up. I don't do any weight and balance stuff at my airline, but I still take into account all performance and structural weight limits. It is not my job to determine how that weight is used. The dispatch course will require those calculations, however.
I'm at a major carrier and love it. It's a great work/life balance and the benefits can't be beat. However, you'll have real shitty days. Days that everything goes wrong at once. You will be juggling long taxi outs, medical emergencies, holding, and then maintenance will call to add an MEL that requires lots of thought and calculation.
On the flip side, you'll be working a shift one day board out of your mind on overtime because the operation is on autopilot and wonder why you just got paid $1500 for 10 hours of chatting with your neighbors.
Overall, it is a great job and you have a sense of accomplishment after every day.
The cost of the training (and certification) isn’t an issue right now. I’ve been out of work since college, and can only afford the course because of a family member’s passing.
What led you to dispatching? For me, I always wanted to work in aviation, but my parents convinced me that if I worked in a field that was also a hobby, that I’d lose interest in the hobby. So I’m kinda circling back to aviation.
I’m basically going into the program with no expectations. Any program that could “guarantee” me a job sight unseen probably isn’t very good, and I also figure that there’s a chance I take the course, get the certification, and decide it’s not for me (but also a 50% chance of loving it and wondering why I didn’t gravitate to it sooner).
I’ve had one lingering question about dispatching. I get it that the captain and dispatcher share responsibility for a flight. Do very long flights have more than one dispatcher? I’m thinking that UAL’s flights to Singapore would be near impossible for one dispatcher to handle for the duration (if I’m even making any sense).
Thanks for the replies, and I KNOW I’ll have a lot more questions.
I hope you’re all having a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Marc
Cunard wrote:I'm going to have a rant here just because I felt the need to.
For all of those posters who are not familiar with the correct term it is Maths with an S or Mathematics as the full term or even Arithmetics, the use of Math as a shortened version of Maths is lazy and not right but it seems to be a North American thing, no one would say that they have an A in Math it would be an A in Mathematics or Maths (with an S) for short.
As a European I find the use of Math as a term totally annoying and everytime that I read it even more so especially from adults, kids could probably get away with that term until there educated enough to know otherwise.
Is it a new phenomenon to use the term Math over Maths as I'm sure I hadn't seen it used five years ago.
Others I dislike are 'what's up' and the worst being 'my bad' rather than my mistake!
Rant over now
Cunard wrote:As a European I find the use of Math as a term totally annoying and everytime that I read it even more so especially from adults, kids could probably get away with that term until there educated enough to know otherwise.
Cadet985 wrote:Does the FAA limit dispatchers’ hours like they do pilots, or is that a union thing?
Marc
Cadet985 wrote:Does the FAA limit dispatchers’ hours like they do pilots, or is that a union thing?
Marc
Cadet985 wrote:What led you to dispatching? For me, I always wanted to work in aviation, but my parents convinced me that if I worked in a field that was also a hobby, that I’d lose interest in the hobby. So I’m kinda circling back to aviation.
Cadet985 wrote:Thanks for the replies, and I KNOW I’ll have a lot more questions.
Cadet985 wrote:Obviously, my preference would be to find a job with an airline here in the States. Should that not work out for whatever reason, do other countries recognize the FAA license?
Cadet985 wrote:So...long story short, my uncle passed in November, left me some money, and next week I'll be applying to airline dispatcher school. I have a BA in communications that's been of no use whatsoever, and pilot training is just way too expensive, so this position seems good for me.
Are there any dispatchers in here who can mentor me, tell me more about the job, etc.?
Thanks,
Marc
Cadet985 wrote:Obviously, my preference would be to find a job with an airline here in the States. Should that not work out for whatever reason, do other countries recognize the FAA license?
SAAFNAV wrote:Cunard wrote:As a European I find the use of Math as a term totally annoying and everytime that I read it even more so especially from adults, kids could probably get away with that term until there educated enough to know otherwise.
Is it a new phenomenon to use the term Math over Maths as I'm sure I hadn't seen it used five years ago.
Others I dislike are 'what's up' and the worst being 'my bad' rather than my mistake!
....if you wish to rant about grammar, please ensure yours is correct:
It should be 'their'. And 'every time' is two words. And comma after 'even'.
Some people would say you should've wrote:But in fact that's wrong too.....if you wish to rant about grammar, please ensure your's is correct
Adispatcher wrote:Cadet985 wrote:Obviously, my preference would be to find a job with an airline here in the States. Should that not work out for whatever reason, do other countries recognize the FAA license?
Not sure, but the legality of a dispatcher's responsibilities are not equal around the world. In the states, you and the captain are jointly responsible for the safe and legal operation of a flight. The training may be similar, but the authority different.
FAR 121.533.
SAAFNAV wrote:Cunard wrote:I'm going to have a rant here just because I felt the need to.
For all of those posters who are not familiar with the correct term it is Maths with an S or Mathematics as the full term or even Arithmetics, the use of Math as a shortened version of Maths is lazy and not right but it seems to be a North American thing, no one would say that they have an A in Math it would be an A in Mathematics or Maths (with an S) for short.
As a European I find the use of Math as a term totally annoying and everytime that I read it even more so especially from adults, kids could probably get away with that term until there educated enough to know otherwise.
Is it a new phenomenon to use the term Math over Maths as I'm sure I hadn't seen it used five years ago.
Others I dislike are 'what's up' and the worst being 'my bad' rather than my mistake!
Rant over now
I'm with you on that coming from an English speaking country instead of the US
However, if you wish to rant about grammar, please ensure yours is correct:Cunard wrote:As a European I find the use of Math as a term totally annoying and everytime that I read it even more so especially from adults, kids could probably get away with that term until there educated enough to know otherwise.
Cadet985 wrote:My paperwork for school will be going out in tomorrow’s mail. I’m excited and nervous.
Marc
Semaex wrote:Cadet985 wrote:My paperwork for school will be going out in tomorrow’s mail. I’m excited and nervous.
Marc
Wish you all the best!
Cadet985 wrote:I received the actual acceptance e-mail earlier this week and my flight down to FLL is set!
Marc
Cadet985 wrote:I received the actual acceptance e-mail earlier this week and my flight down to FLL is set!
Marc
Dispatcher9999 wrote:Cadet985 wrote:I received the actual acceptance e-mail earlier this week and my flight down to FLL is set!
Marc
Congratulations, i'm guessing this is an acceptance for Sheffield?
One thing I would say if you sign up for the course is ADX ADX ADX ADX, the best bit of advice I can give is study hard for it before the course commences, and sit the test as soon as you are ready to (the sooner the better), its an unwanted headache that you don't need on top of an already intensive course. Before I started I downloaded the Sheffield ADX app and sat on it 24/7 till it drove me insane. Although the course covers questions on the ADX the school won't hold any classes focused on the ADX, it is for you to learn it yourself, the school may put on an extra class out of hours (at a cost) if there is enough demand. Alot of the questions are formula based, and a lot of people will tell you that there is a quick way of doing it with out learning the formulas and by remember high, middle and low for when the question has a certain number in it. My advice, learn the formula's. I failed first time trying the cheat way. I learned the formula's for the second attempt and it was a lot easier, also if you fail it costs $250 to re-sit.
The course is intense, especially since it went to 5 weeks from 6, there is so much to take in, and you'll be studying section 8 in the Big Green Folder while on the same day sitting an exam for section 6, so there's a lot of information to process. Make sure you enjoy it and make sure you make time for a beer at the weekend. Ensure you always get your home work done in the week and don't allow yourself to be distracted by others. We had a very disruptive student in our house, so had to do what we could to concentrate when they were being a distraction. Another thing I found that helped was studying in a group, it worked studying together and helping each other out.
Could talk on for ages with information and advice, but if you need anything I still have all my course work, folders and itinerary, send us a message and i'll help out where I can.
Adispatcher wrote:Dispatcher9999 wrote:Cadet985 wrote:I received the actual acceptance e-mail earlier this week and my flight down to FLL is set!
Marc
Congratulations, i'm guessing this is an acceptance for Sheffield?
One thing I would say if you sign up for the course is ADX ADX ADX ADX, the best bit of advice I can give is study hard for it before the course commences, and sit the test as soon as you are ready to (the sooner the better), its an unwanted headache that you don't need on top of an already intensive course. Before I started I downloaded the Sheffield ADX app and sat on it 24/7 till it drove me insane. Although the course covers questions on the ADX the school won't hold any classes focused on the ADX, it is for you to learn it yourself, the school may put on an extra class out of hours (at a cost) if there is enough demand. Alot of the questions are formula based, and a lot of people will tell you that there is a quick way of doing it with out learning the formulas and by remember high, middle and low for when the question has a certain number in it. My advice, learn the formula's. I failed first time trying the cheat way. I learned the formula's for the second attempt and it was a lot easier, also if you fail it costs $250 to re-sit.
The course is intense, especially since it went to 5 weeks from 6, there is so much to take in, and you'll be studying section 8 in the Big Green Folder while on the same day sitting an exam for section 6, so there's a lot of information to process. Make sure you enjoy it and make sure you make time for a beer at the weekend. Ensure you always get your home work done in the week and don't allow yourself to be distracted by others. We had a very disruptive student in our house, so had to do what we could to concentrate when they were being a distraction. Another thing I found that helped was studying in a group, it worked studying together and helping each other out.
Could talk on for ages with information and advice, but if you need anything I still have all my course work, folders and itinerary, send us a message and i'll help out where I can.
This is right, too.
I did the ADX about halfway through the class. I also suggest getting it done to take the pressure off yourself, which only puts the pressure back on for the oral and practical. Get the first weight off your shoulders.
And while you don't think you want to do it, memorization will get you through the ADX multiple choice. I knew the answer to nearly all of the 1200 question bank nearly instinctively.
Like 9999 says, being in groups helps a lot. Talking it out away from an instructor takes a lot of the pressure off and you can discuss together what you learned or what you may not grasp. Pardon the cliché, but you're probably not alone with the question.
Cunard wrote:I'm going to have a rant here just because I felt the need to.
For all of those posters who are not familiar with the correct term it is Maths with an S or Mathematics as the full term or even Arithmetics, the use of Math as a shortened version of Maths is lazy and not right but it seems to be a North American thing, no one would say that they have an A in Math it would be an A in Mathematics or Maths (with an S) for short.
As a European I find the use of Math as a term totally annoying and everytime that I read it even more so especially from adults, kids could probably get away with that term until there educated enough to know otherwise.
Is it a new phenomenon to use the term Math over Maths as I'm sure I hadn't seen it used five years ago.
Others I dislike are 'what's up' and the worst being 'my bad' rather than my mistake!
Rant over now
Cadet985 wrote:Just over a week out. Any tips?
Marc Eichler
Adispatcher wrote:Cadet985 wrote:Just over a week out. Any tips?
Marc Eichler
Don't psych yourself out. If you have studied and/or memorized test answers, you will do fine. There will likely be questions you don't know know the answer to or have never seen before, give it your best educated guess and move on. Many people feel they did poorly, including myself, and had nothing to worry about in the end. This is just step one of many.
YYZatcboy wrote:Don't use your time in Florida checking out beaches and drinking. Any time you are not in the class you should be in your room studying. Don't wash out because you didn't take it seriously. It's very tempting to enjoy Florida while you are there (so I have heard.)
Adispatcher wrote:I wouldn't say failing a practice test a week out from the real thing is a good sign. Without an aviation background, many of the questions will probably seem foreign, as they should. However, you know what the questions are and what the answers are. Dig in and memorize. By the end, I was able to answer a question just by seeing the first few words of it. I knew instinctively that the answer was, for example, C, just by glancing.
The ADX has very little relevance to actual dispatching. Never have I been asked about floor loading or where the megaphones are located. What is important is the FARs and your company's OPSPECS.
Cadet985 wrote:Yeah, I keep getting in trouble with the questions on airspace, cargo, weather theory, and stuff like that. I honestly think that once I’m past the ADX, I’ll have little problem with the course. My biggest concern with the ADX is that I’ll try to memorize, and I’ll end up with 80 questions beginning with “Using graphic xyz...”
Marc
strfyr51 wrote:Dispatching for an Airline is Not about finding a JOB nor getting the training. It's about you getting work Where you want to LIVE.
You're going to make Great money after you get your "Chops" up tp speed (Experience). The question is? Can you live where the Job IS?? I spent 35 years with United and had to move from SFO to Chicago. (Downtown) I enjoyed my work but driving downtown TO qork?? Not so much. But making $116K/yr? Took a lot of the sting out of that.
Adispatcher wrote:strfyr51 wrote:Dispatching for an Airline is Not about finding a JOB nor getting the training. It's about you getting work Where you want to LIVE.
You're going to make Great money after you get your "Chops" up tp speed (Experience). The question is? Can you live where the Job IS?? I spent 35 years with United and had to move from SFO to Chicago. (Downtown) I enjoyed my work but driving downtown TO qork?? Not so much. But making $116K/yr? Took a lot of the sting out of that.
A good point. Your ability to relocate is important. Airlines NOC/OCC/SOC, etc., will likely be near the HQ or largest hub. Flexibility is important. Heck, many major airline dispatchers still commute due to mergers and consolidation.
Cadet985 wrote:Adispatcher wrote:strfyr51 wrote:Dispatching for an Airline is Not about finding a JOB nor getting the training. It's about you getting work Where you want to LIVE.
You're going to make Great money after you get your "Chops" up tp speed (Experience). The question is? Can you live where the Job IS?? I spent 35 years with United and had to move from SFO to Chicago. (Downtown) I enjoyed my work but driving downtown TO qork?? Not so much. But making $116K/yr? Took a lot of the sting out of that.
A good point. Your ability to relocate is important. Airlines NOC/OCC/SOC, etc., will likely be near the HQ or largest hub. Flexibility is important. Heck, many major airline dispatchers still commute due to mergers and consolidation.
Let me ask this.
I have a degree in journalism. I applied to stations in 49/50 states. I said in my cover letter and resume that I’m “Willing to relocate.” Do you think airlines would see that as something obvious (purely hypothetically speaking, if I were to apply with Frontier, I’d obviously be willing to move to Denver)?
By the way, I arrived in Florida last night and start class tomorrow.
Marc
Cadet985 wrote:Adispatcher wrote:strfyr51 wrote:Dispatching for an Airline is Not about finding a JOB nor getting the training. It's about you getting work Where you want to LIVE.
You're going to make Great money after you get your "Chops" up tp speed (Experience). The question is? Can you live where the Job IS?? I spent 35 years with United and had to move from SFO to Chicago. (Downtown) I enjoyed my work but driving downtown TO qork?? Not so much. But making $116K/yr? Took a lot of the sting out of that.
A good point. Your ability to relocate is important. Airlines NOC/OCC/SOC, etc., will likely be near the HQ or largest hub. Flexibility is important. Heck, many major airline dispatchers still commute due to mergers and consolidation.
Let me ask this.
I have a degree in journalism. I applied to stations in 49/50 states. I said in my cover letter and resume that I’m “Willing to relocate.” Do you think airlines would see that as something obvious (purely hypothetically speaking, if I were to apply with Frontier, I’d obviously be willing to move to Denver)?
By the way, I arrived in Florida last night and start class tomorrow.
Marc
CCGPV wrote:Are we seeing any dispatching for airlines being outsourced? It seems like this is the perfect thing to be able to do in a cheaper country. All you need is the training. The access to the weather and software can be sent anywhere.
Is this already happening? Are there "free agent" dispatchers for private companies or small flight departments? Is moonlighting common?
LittleFokker wrote:CCGPV wrote:Are we seeing any dispatching for airlines being outsourced? It seems like this is the perfect thing to be able to do in a cheaper country. All you need is the training. The access to the weather and software can be sent anywhere.
Is this already happening? Are there "free agent" dispatchers for private companies or small flight departments? Is moonlighting common?
Hasn't happened in the US at the 121 level (illegal at the moment), but there are definitely airlines who would love to see that happen. There are "contract dispatch" like companies for part 91 fractional ownership companies (NetJets, Wheels Up, etc). In Europe, there aren't dispatchers per se (they don't have the same legal authority on a flight), but are called Flight Commanders who do many of the same pre-flight functions as dispatch.
CCGPV wrote:Interesting. What sort of liability does a dispatcher have? Do they have personal malpractice insurance like doctors? Have there been any accidents attributed to a dispatcher?