I'm a low time pilot (a few hours short of 250) that got out of school a little while ago and haven't been having much luck getting that first job. I was thinking of writing the dispatcher exams and was wondering if i would have an easier time trying to get on as a dispatcher rather than starting on the ramp. If anyone has any advice i'd like to hear it.
thanks,
Barrington Philpotts
Could I get my foot in the door as a dispatcher
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
-
groundtoflightdeck
- Rank 6
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:56 pm
-
groundtoflightdeck
- Rank 6
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:56 pm
I've been looking for 2 months and can't find anything. Most of the material is ATPL/ IATRA stuff even same questions in some cases. If you find one let me know.
Aerocourse does do a crash course if you really want to learn the stuff. And they will be offering a study guide in the next few months.
Cheers.
Aerocourse does do a crash course if you really want to learn the stuff. And they will be offering a study guide in the next few months.
Cheers.
Study help for dispatch
Ya, there are two books I found. One being the USA dispatch guide, which is not much help though. Another is a quiz book. I found it in Ontario, or my buddy did, I think he got it at Pearson, or something, Sorry for the spotty info. Any way I did the tests. Failed the met 3 times, but hey, there free!! I loved seeing the transport ladies face "sorry but you failed" Oh well se ya next week, hahahah.
You should know your Met well. Just study from the Transport weather manual, and the AIP.
The regs part, well talks nothing about the North Atlantic airpspace regs.
Mostly talks about duty days and stuff.
Good luck with it. It helped me get my foot in the door, but had to quite because the pay was shit. Oh well. I am smarter now though.
Good Luck.
You should know your Met well. Just study from the Transport weather manual, and the AIP.
The regs part, well talks nothing about the North Atlantic airpspace regs.
Mostly talks about duty days and stuff.
Good luck with it. It helped me get my foot in the door, but had to quite because the pay was shit. Oh well. I am smarter now though.
Good Luck.
most places that you can get on from dispatch to the flight line don't require the dispatch exam. You need the dispatch exam for Bigger operators. AC, west jet... and some 704 with big pax airplanes (dhc-8)
At most smaller places you are a flight follower in a pilot self disptach operation.
Go talk to people and see if there is a possible job. you might have to work your way from the ramp to dispatch as it's an "inside" job.
D
At most smaller places you are a flight follower in a pilot self disptach operation.
Go talk to people and see if there is a possible job. you might have to work your way from the ramp to dispatch as it's an "inside" job.
D
most places that you can get on from dispatch to the flight line don't require the dispatch exam. You need the dispatch exam for Bigger operators. AC, west jet... and some 704 with big pax airplanes (dhc-8)
At most smaller places you are a flight follower in a pilot self disptach operation.
Go talk to people and see if there is a possible job. you might have to work your way from the ramp to dispatch as it's an "inside" job.
D
At most smaller places you are a flight follower in a pilot self disptach operation.
Go talk to people and see if there is a possible job. you might have to work your way from the ramp to dispatch as it's an "inside" job.
D
-
No more BS
- Rank 3
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2004 8:38 pm
Don't worry about books. They might help, but what helps most, I find, is either being persistant and/or knowing somebody.
Most the companies I know will train their dispatchers. It's a great way for them to see the work ethics and attitude of a low-time pilots.
Unless you want GGN or Jazz or AC I guess. But getting in in Dispatch there doesn't do anything for a line flying job.
Cheers
Most the companies I know will train their dispatchers. It's a great way for them to see the work ethics and attitude of a low-time pilots.
Unless you want GGN or Jazz or AC I guess. But getting in in Dispatch there doesn't do anything for a line flying job.
Cheers
As a senior Dispatcher in an airline, i can tell you that, a lot of pilot start, (in my company) as ass.-dispatcher.
Unfortunately, these people dont stay long, cost training and almost never get their final certification wich cause a lot of trouble for people like me.
In 5 years here, i've seen 6 pilot passing by dispatch and they all hated it.
Dispatch his NOT a good place for level entry job (at least not type A & B ).
Better be on the ramp, near the plane or as a flight follower. More fun and more realistic in my own point of view.
Good luck
Unfortunately, these people dont stay long, cost training and almost never get their final certification wich cause a lot of trouble for people like me.
In 5 years here, i've seen 6 pilot passing by dispatch and they all hated it.
Dispatch his NOT a good place for level entry job (at least not type A & B ).
Better be on the ramp, near the plane or as a flight follower. More fun and more realistic in my own point of view.
Good luck
-
Panama Jack
- Rank 11
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
An ass. dispatcher, huh???
Sorry, but I couldn't help but get a chuckle out of that. Kinda sounds like the hotel receptionist working the graveyard shift.
All of that aside, dispatch at the airlines tends to be a career in itself with a fair amount of responisibilities and talents that are gained over time. Having worked in the Flight Control Department of another major airline a few years ago, I can tell you that it is an office intense job, requires real organizational skills and is a pretty good place to circumnavigate like an intense thunderstorm whenever the computers go Tango Uniform or any multiple of other IROPS hit the proverbial fan. The stress level and long hours that come with the job mean even some very talented dispatchers leave. At the major airline I worked at, some of their finest went in other directions-- one (who I considered to be the best) decided to try to break into the acting business, another decided she would apply for a job at the Post Office.
Sorry, but I couldn't help but get a chuckle out of that. Kinda sounds like the hotel receptionist working the graveyard shift.
All of that aside, dispatch at the airlines tends to be a career in itself with a fair amount of responisibilities and talents that are gained over time. Having worked in the Flight Control Department of another major airline a few years ago, I can tell you that it is an office intense job, requires real organizational skills and is a pretty good place to circumnavigate like an intense thunderstorm whenever the computers go Tango Uniform or any multiple of other IROPS hit the proverbial fan. The stress level and long hours that come with the job mean even some very talented dispatchers leave. At the major airline I worked at, some of their finest went in other directions-- one (who I considered to be the best) decided to try to break into the acting business, another decided she would apply for a job at the Post Office.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
By ass.-dispatcher i meant flight follower or assistant dispatcher if you prefer but eh!, ass is a good word to describe how's our job sometimes....
Like you say, a lot of good dispatchers leave due to overstressed and bad working condition.
Althought it's a great job and a choice of career for me, i dont think i'll handle it for another 15 years. I'm actually trying to get a job as operation coordinator or fleet deployment officer.
Hope one day, dispatchers will be recognize for what they really are...
By the way , anyone knows if there's a Canadian Dispatchers Association?
I know they got one in the USA but have'nt seen anything like it in Canada...
ciao
Like you say, a lot of good dispatchers leave due to overstressed and bad working condition.
Althought it's a great job and a choice of career for me, i dont think i'll handle it for another 15 years. I'm actually trying to get a job as operation coordinator or fleet deployment officer.
Hope one day, dispatchers will be recognize for what they really are...
By the way , anyone knows if there's a Canadian Dispatchers Association?
I know they got one in the USA but have'nt seen anything like it in Canada...
ciao
Yes, it's the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA). I'm not certain if they have a website or not but if you to to this site and search on the term "dispatch" you will find the name of the association president and an address to write to.epsyb wrote:By the way , anyone knows if there's a Canadian Dispatchers Association?
I know they got one in the USA but have'nt seen anything like it in Canada...
You may also find a contact at the following link:
International Federation of Air Line Dispatchers’ Associations
-
Panama Jack
- Rank 11
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
epsyb's post should be an eye opener for all. Most dispatcher's really don't get the recognition and respect they deserve. It has been my observation that most airline pilots in Canada really have little understanding or appreciation for what licenced Dispatchers (a relatively new phenonemon in Canada) go through or their legal responsibilities (unlike in the US where Aircraft Dispatch is nearing a century old profession). Next time you talk to your dispatcher, be nice to him.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
Thanks Panama Jack. You're so right!
Airline dispatcher his a really unknown job, even by the pilots themselves.
I suggested that since dispatchers as to do a "famflight" every year, pilot should have to do a "dispatch fam day" every year to be aware of all the things dxp do for them & for the company and what really his dxp job.
(OOOhh i foresee a lot of unhappy pilots that are going to answer to this, even if it's full of truth)
Thanks for the CALDA, i'll check it out, really appreciated!
bye!
Airline dispatcher his a really unknown job, even by the pilots themselves.
I suggested that since dispatchers as to do a "famflight" every year, pilot should have to do a "dispatch fam day" every year to be aware of all the things dxp do for them & for the company and what really his dxp job.
(OOOhh i foresee a lot of unhappy pilots that are going to answer to this, even if it's full of truth)
Thanks for the CALDA, i'll check it out, really appreciated!
bye!
-
Panama Jack
- Rank 11
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
Sadly epsyb, there is not much face to face interaction between Dispatchers and Pilots these days. In years past, pilots would stop by the Dispatch Office, get their release from the dispatcher and even a briefing perhaps! Modern technology allows dispatchers now to work far away from where operations are-- I was recently reading an article where dispatchers sitting in El Salvador were dispatching flights operating between New Zealand and Australia.
Unfortunately, the last airline I worked at had it's dispatch office centralized. When I was there I wanted to stop by to meet the Dispatchers, sit down and try to understand a little better what resources they have available and what they go through. I was promptly chased out of the office by the Chief Dispatcher who asked, to the effect, of "what the hell I was doing" and "pilots are not welcome here!"
As we walked out, the Captain I was with commented "the next time that jerk-off asks for the jumpseat . . . " 
Unfortunately, the last airline I worked at had it's dispatch office centralized. When I was there I wanted to stop by to meet the Dispatchers, sit down and try to understand a little better what resources they have available and what they go through. I was promptly chased out of the office by the Chief Dispatcher who asked, to the effect, of "what the hell I was doing" and "pilots are not welcome here!"
As we walked out, the Captain I was with commented "the next time that jerk-off asks for the jumpseat . . . " “If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
Well i'm suggesting this more as something planned in the recurrent training for pilot than a stop by hi five. Sometimes, wich is more than often, dispatchers are overwhelm with their duties & the other department duties that are done, well, to be polite, not so well done when they are done. So, it would have to be planned.
It's the same thing as if you have a JS rider and you have an emergency.
I'm sure as a responsible pilot you tell the guy to get the F*** out of the cockpit!!!
In my office, pilots are always welcome, they stop for a 5 minutes chat and a fresh coffee (Dispatchers are mostly all coffee addicts) and they soon realize we are submerge by work so they quietly leave but i already have that discussion with a senior PIC & she was upset of my idea that pilot should pass 1 or 2 days in observation in Dipsatch.
Anyway, my only hope is that my job become more well known so one day, i wont have to do the 411 job
It's the same thing as if you have a JS rider and you have an emergency.
I'm sure as a responsible pilot you tell the guy to get the F*** out of the cockpit!!!
In my office, pilots are always welcome, they stop for a 5 minutes chat and a fresh coffee (Dispatchers are mostly all coffee addicts) and they soon realize we are submerge by work so they quietly leave but i already have that discussion with a senior PIC & she was upset of my idea that pilot should pass 1 or 2 days in observation in Dipsatch.
Anyway, my only hope is that my job become more well known so one day, i wont have to do the 411 job
That's really not that bad an idea epsyb... Probably never happen as most companies likely can't see the benefit, but it's still a good idea.
At my company, we included dispatchers in annual CRM courses: flight crew, cabin crew, dispatch, maintenance engineers and agents all participated in joint training sessions and the situations that arose from the discussions and group dynamics were great as they weren't all focused on a single specialty area and definately worked to break down communication barriers between the groups.
At my company, we included dispatchers in annual CRM courses: flight crew, cabin crew, dispatch, maintenance engineers and agents all participated in joint training sessions and the situations that arose from the discussions and group dynamics were great as they weren't all focused on a single specialty area and definately worked to break down communication barriers between the groups.
-
Panama Jack
- Rank 11
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
I know that, and I think that I eluded to that in this thread.J.P.WISER wrote:Panama Jack wroteWhat makes you think it could just be a male? Some dispatchers are chicks and pretty hot chicks if I might add. More reason to be nice!!Next time you talk to your dispatcher, be nice to him.
I use the words "he," "him," and "his" in the generic sense. It is an acceptable and much more efficient use of the English language than saying that "he/she should take his/her lunch with him/her before I eat it."
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
epsyb.....I have been racking my brain thinking of who you work for in Montreal, I recently was laid off from a company that has a dispatch office in Montreal, but not sure of many airlines in Montreal, other than Jetsgo but not sure they have been around 5 years, or I could be way off. I am a newly certified dispatcher my self, looking for my first Type A/B dispatching job with 4 years prior experience at a Type C. So if anyone hears of anything, please let me know, greatly appreciated. Cheers
