Advice for a new dispatcher (turnaround coordinator)
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: England
Age: 34
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Advice for a new dispatcher (turnaround coordinator)
Hello,
I'm about to start a new job as a dispatcher for a UK airline and just looking for any hints and tips that will help me while I'm starting out. The duties include doing the load control as well so any advice for that too would be appreciated.
Many thanks
I'm about to start a new job as a dispatcher for a UK airline and just looking for any hints and tips that will help me while I'm starting out. The duties include doing the load control as well so any advice for that too would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North East
Age: 37
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Congratulations on the new job! Its a good one which you should enjoy (most of the time!)
A few practical things that come to mind...
Try and be aware as best you can what's going on around you with regards to the turnaround. Make sure the pax staff have called the flight to the gate, know what stage the loaders/cleaners/crew are at, find out the latest slot time and communicate this to the crew and push back team etc.
Be nice to people! Plenty of guys who walk around with 'Dispatcher' emblazoned across the back of their hi-viz think they're God's gift and have free rein to tell people what they think of them. Everyone is as important as everyone else, you are all on the same side! Having said that you can be faced with a bit of abuse of other staff, crew and loaders (ie asking them to offload a bag in the middle of a 757 hold). Take it on the chin, its not personal.
Have a pen (duh), an accurate watch, and a mobile on you all the time... Radios never work when you most need them to.
Get bag counts as early as possible; its much better knowing you're a bag up 10mins before departure than when the thing's closed up and ready to push.
Be firm but fair. Rules are rules, but you'll get to know when its acceptable to bend them slightly.
Don't be afraid to ask someone more experienced if you get a bit stuck; most are more than willing to help out. Don't try and wing it yourself or you may end up causing more problems.
If possible have some figures ready for the crew, ie expected pax load and PRMs for the cabin crew, weather/EZFW/Flight plans (if applicable) for the flight deck.
Get a good alarm clock for the earlies
Just a few basics, most of it pretty obvious but key to ensuring things go to plan and everyone has a smile on their face.
Oh yeah, sweet talk the Purser... You may even get a cuppa out of it!
A few practical things that come to mind...
Try and be aware as best you can what's going on around you with regards to the turnaround. Make sure the pax staff have called the flight to the gate, know what stage the loaders/cleaners/crew are at, find out the latest slot time and communicate this to the crew and push back team etc.
Be nice to people! Plenty of guys who walk around with 'Dispatcher' emblazoned across the back of their hi-viz think they're God's gift and have free rein to tell people what they think of them. Everyone is as important as everyone else, you are all on the same side! Having said that you can be faced with a bit of abuse of other staff, crew and loaders (ie asking them to offload a bag in the middle of a 757 hold). Take it on the chin, its not personal.
Have a pen (duh), an accurate watch, and a mobile on you all the time... Radios never work when you most need them to.
Get bag counts as early as possible; its much better knowing you're a bag up 10mins before departure than when the thing's closed up and ready to push.
Be firm but fair. Rules are rules, but you'll get to know when its acceptable to bend them slightly.
Don't be afraid to ask someone more experienced if you get a bit stuck; most are more than willing to help out. Don't try and wing it yourself or you may end up causing more problems.
If possible have some figures ready for the crew, ie expected pax load and PRMs for the cabin crew, weather/EZFW/Flight plans (if applicable) for the flight deck.
Get a good alarm clock for the earlies
Just a few basics, most of it pretty obvious but key to ensuring things go to plan and everyone has a smile on their face.
Oh yeah, sweet talk the Purser... You may even get a cuppa out of it!
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Hi Benwizz
Looks to me as though you have a very positive attitude and will do well.
Some aircrew can bit a bit "stressed" on the turnround. Don't take it to heart.
They will throw a strop from time to time. Just smile to your self and take a deep breath.
Don't let these words put you off, for every donught there are some really good guys out there on the flight deck who, treated well, can become friends for life.
ENJOY !!!! and all the very, very best !
Looks to me as though you have a very positive attitude and will do well.
Some aircrew can bit a bit "stressed" on the turnround. Don't take it to heart.
They will throw a strop from time to time. Just smile to your self and take a deep breath.
Don't let these words put you off, for every donught there are some really good guys out there on the flight deck who, treated well, can become friends for life.
ENJOY !!!! and all the very, very best !
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Hello,
Can I ask Benwizz where your new job is based? I have applied for a Dispatch position at Heathrow and I’ve been told that they do not accept anyone without previous experience; however Stansted is happy to 'grow their own' so to speak. Is anyone able to shed any light on this?
Jen
Can I ask Benwizz where your new job is based? I have applied for a Dispatch position at Heathrow and I’ve been told that they do not accept anyone without previous experience; however Stansted is happy to 'grow their own' so to speak. Is anyone able to shed any light on this?
Jen
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: luton,beds,uk
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Can I ask Benwizz where your new job is based? I have applied for a Dispatch position at Heathrow and I’ve been told that they do not accept anyone without previous experience; however Stansted is happy to 'grow their own' so to speak. Is anyone able to shed any light on this?
I am an experienced dispatcher and havent seen anything advertied for ages.
Would you PM me the airline thats recruiting ?
Thanks
Stan
I am an experienced dispatcher and havent seen anything advertied for ages.
Would you PM me the airline thats recruiting ?
Thanks
Stan
