Where to Find Aircraft Dispatchers Jobs
Aircraft dispatching is an important, albeit not well known, job in the airline industry. Aircraft dispatcher training is rigorous, and to become a certified aircraft dispatcher requires diligence and a steady work ethic. Aircraft dispatcher jobs are available at airlines all over the world, and because the job is required as part of the safety triad (flight crew, air traffic controller, aircraft dispatcher) there will never be a shortage of aircraft dispatcher jobs.
So, you have attended a top flight dispatcher school in the nation, like Sheffield School of Aeronauticsc, you have graduated, and you are ready to begin your aircraft dispatcher career. Now what? Let’s look at where to apply, which airlines are the best to work for, and how to make sure you get the job.
Where to Find Aircraft Dispatcher Jobs
1 – Your Aircraft Dispatcher School
Airlines are in constant contact with aircraft dispatcher schools. Sheffield has built long-lasting relationships with airlines, and airlines will recruit graduates from our school directly after graduation.
Sheffield also has an aircraft dispatcher job board on our website that is available to all of our graduates, forever.
Aircraft dispatching jobs are a niche industry with a limited pool of candidates. Aircraft dispatchers should not have too much trouble finding work after graduating, but if you do, reach out to your dispatcher school for assistance.
2 – Social Media
The aviation industry is a tight knit community. Keep in touch with other graduates and make connections online. It may lead to long lasting careers as an aircraft dispatcher.
Best Airlines to Work For
United States
- Southwest
- Delta
- JetBlue
- American
International
- Emirates
- Turkish
- Etihad
- Singapore
Don’t Forget About Carriers – Don’t be quick to forget about aircraft carrier services. It’s easy to assume that you will be working for a passenger airline right out of aircraft dispatcher school, but sometimes that’s just not the case. Like any complex professional field, it is important to gain experience and often is better to start at the bottom. Airline carrier services like FedEx, UPS, and ABX hire a great deal of aircraft dispatchers fresh out of airline dispatcher school to monitor their freight planes. Because most people overlook these at first, you are in a better position to secure an aircraft dispatcher job at one of these airlines.
How to Get the Aircraft Dispatcher Job
Graveyard Shift – You are starting at the bottom, as you will with any aircraft dispatcher job. Think of it as putting in your time until you can move up. Graveyard shift for the red eye flights are sometimes the only option available. It’s deceptive to say they are less stressful, but they will amount to a little more time to get comfortable working as an aircraft dispatcher.
Relocating– Airlines have a centrally located “Operational Control Center” that is usually located near the airline’s corporate headquarters. There are over 200 airlines in the United States, which means there is a good chance an operational control center is located near you. However, if you see yourself working for one of the major airlines at some point during your career, you will have to relocate. Once you have relocated to a major city for an aircraft dispatcher job, you will probably never have to relocate again.
Career – One of the perks of having an aircraft dispatcher certification is that you can make a career out of it. Most aircraft dispatchers stay within their position for at least a decade. That being said, there are also dispatchers who only spend a short time in the field. The option to turn your aircraft dispatch job into a full career is available. The choice is yours!
Top 5 Interview questions
Expect variations of these questions:
- Tell me about a time you were in a stressful situation.
- The person relieving you is late and you have to leave, what do you do?
- Why do you want to work as an aircraft dispatcher?
- List five words that describe your character.
- Are you willing to relocate?
Always end the interview with this question: If you have any hesitations about giving me this position, I would like the opportunity to address them now.
