Dispatcher...how much can I earn?

[Bruno Silva]

Hello,

my name is Bruno and I´m from Portugal!
I was thinking to move to the UK and apply to a Cabin Crew job so that I can earn some money and connections to do my flight training later...but then someone told me a ground based job would be better to cope with training(I would like to do my PPL while I´m working).
I remembered Dispatching.

Well I would like to know if it´s better, how much could I earn and what would I have to do to if I want it...

Thanks!!!:ok:

Bruno Silva

[phoenix son]

Bruno,

UK Dispatchers earn LOW wages generally, it's mainly seasonal work with no guarantees of work in the winter. That said, if you're prepared to work the hours for the money, it's great fun and you'll meet some fascinating people (and a few you'd rather not bump into again!)

Good luck...!

[Bruno Silva]

Thanks PS...

Well maybe CC is better for what I want!!!

[Leezyjet]

I'm a Dispatcher (well not called a dispatcher, but it's the same thing) and my wages are pretty good. ;)

Just had a nice £4k pay rise last summer too. :ok: :E


:)

[groundog]

What do you mean by 'seasonal', doesn't planes fly in/out UK in wintertime? :)

[phoenix son]

groundog,

Basically, most UK Handlind Agents only eploy staff on a temporary contract for the summer (busiest) season. Sometimes these contracts are extended and made permanent, sometimes not...

Leezyjet,

Seem to recall you work for an airline flying big red and white aeroplanes out of LHR, I was there in 1999 (the job was "Traffic Officer" back then) and it sounds like things have certainly improved...4K pay rise is certainly worth having!

[KiloMIke]

Perhaps at some of the regional airports the work is temporary but I think you will find there are lots of permanent full time dispatchers in the UK. As for how much the pay is it depends on who you work for and where you are based.

[Leezyjet]

P.S.

Yeah it's got better, and all the planes are silver now !! ;)

More money, less work, better t&c than old employer with blue and grey planes, (and the odd few white and blue ones now) so who cares if we are not fully incharge at the gates !!.

Not many faces left from '99 now though, most got sick of the bullsh!t and left.

:)

[tall and tasty]

Bruno Silva

I left dispatch 6 years ago and the wages in the company I was with were done on a grade system. In dispatch you were a grade 5 and upwards. The money was better than in the rest of the handling agent except for the loaders and groundpower/mocon. But with OT I used to take home a very nice packet at the end of the month. It is addictive if that is the sort of thing you like doing. I used to do double back shifts some of the 12 hours onto 12 hours because I lived and breathed the job!

But in the UK you do have the down side of the bad weather in the winter and the chance if you are taken on in the summer you may not be needed on a permanent contract in the winter. But that is a risk you may take and if you get experience it will put you in good stead to work for any handling agent or Airline.

One of the best careers you can have failing flying the birds themselves!

Take care and I know 3 dispatchers who fly a/c started with PPL and got ATPL's and now are F/O and Capt. So it can be done just put up with the ribbing from some out there who think they are all glorified bus drivers whether fixed or roto!

TnT

[bigbadcol]

As to the people who work with the big silver aircrfat with a splash of red, thay are TCO's not dispatchers. The roll of dispatcher is very different depending on who you work for and the airline you handle. ie to some coy's my roll of a dispatch officer is more of load control, and some one else to TCO the flight.