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

  1. Southwest
  2. Delta
  3. JetBlue
  4. American

International

  1. Emirates
  2. Turkish
  3. Etihad
  4. 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:

  1. Tell me about a time you were in a stressful situation.
  2. The person relieving you is late and you have to leave, what do you do?
  3. Why do you want to work as an aircraft dispatcher?
  4. List five words that describe your character.
  5. 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.

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    “now that I’ve been in an indoctrination class with students from other schools, I know I made the right choice with Sheffield.”   Kindest regards,  A.R.  All schools are created equal?! yeah…sure ;)
    “Eric Morris is one of the most if not the most knowledgeable and experienced authorities on Aircraft Dispatching in the United States. He strives constantly to make the industry better.” DH sidebar DH
    “While touring my company’s dispatch department before I had my license our OCC manager pointed out that 7 of the 10 dispatchers on shift had come from Sheffield. The overall consensus was that Sheffield grads were able to hit the ground running as they were better prepared.” K.O. Sidebar K.O.
    “This was an amazing class! Always interesting! It was like drinking from a fire hose, but I have never enjoyed a course more than this one. Thank you for a great 5 weeks & EWINS!” R.S. R.S. Testimonial – 5-weeks & EWINS
    “As a graduate of Sheffield School of Aeronautics I am a firm believer that I received the most thorough and well thought out aircraft dispatcher training available. I owe my position in the industry to Sheffield School of Aeronautics.” BF Sidebar BF
    “Sheffield School of Aeronautics is a highly recognized and respected organization throughout the airline industry. They only produce the highest quality of graduate…” P.W. Sidebar PW
    “Going to Sheffield prepared me for the real world challenges of Aircraft Dispatching. I certainly believe that the method Sheffield used is one not only for success in a real world career, but also one that prepares students to correctly dispatch aircraft.” T.Z. Sidebar TZ
    Good afternoon Eric, I wanted to reach out to let you know that training at (airline) is in full swing and I couldn’t be happier that I chose Sheffield. My classmates, while very smart, definitely had subpar training and that has been very evident. I have waited to write a full scale review of the […] Attending Sheffield School benefits airline new hires in preparation for airline training
    “Sheffield School of Aeronautics is known worldwide for its quality training and has been recommended to me by our national airline Swiss International Airlines. Whenever I mention the name ‘Sheffield’ it rings a bell in people’s ears.” IW IW
    “I am so glad they are like this because it made me a better dispatcher and I really appreciate their high standards. I would highly recommend Sheffield to anyone who is willing to study hard and is serious about obtaining a Dispatcher Certificate.” MC MC
    “I entered my profession, with more knowledge and information than dispatchers who have been practicing their craft for more than ten years. Not only has Sheffield provided a top notch education, but they have also instilled in me the confidence to succeed.” A.Z. Sidebar AZ – Student Testimonial
    “After receiving my certificate, I joined a class of 4 experienced dispatchers for Part 121 initial training. Without experience, my preparation at Sheffield enabled me to become active at the same time after the initial training.” PR PR
    “Being that half my new hire class dropped out over the course of training, I can confidently say that Sheffield helped to prepare me for the real world.” GT – abridged testimonial – school selection matters
    “These men represented the highest caliber of professionalism and integrity. The education I received from these gentleman has afforded me to be gainfully employed while having the opportunity to use the education received, all over this country, and more than a few others.” WG sidebar wg
    “I wanted to tell you I got the job offer from Expressjet, and start next month! I think a couple others from class were hired as well. It just shows the Sheffield reputation when I see graduates from other schools complaining that they can’t get an interview – I wasn’t even back home to Minneapolis […] Dan Gustafson
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