My mate spent 4 years in dispatch at EGLL looking to get contacts. Does 4 years alarm you? Eventually he went to ryanair at his own cost so he could have saved 4 years eh? Total waste of time for contact building, so if you do want to get into it, go to a small airport and do it if you can afford the re-location costs.
I've yet to meet a Servisair/Menzies dispatcher at LGW who has a FATPL. I used to be a loader and that is helpful at interview.
"Tell us something that no one else has told us today at interview".
"Well Sir, I can load 747's, A340's, 777's............."
Go for the FI route straight away, I was one of those, and still am around the A319. Way better for contacts. My name went to loads of airlines through current and ex captains who hung out at my flying club. On-line, dispatchers are always in the firing line. Not a stigma you want to have.
Last edited by Craggenmore; 22nd Aug 2007 at 21:28.