Ramp agent to Dispatch
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Ramp agent to Dispatch
Just wondering if any UK dispatchers have worked their way up from lowly ramp agent?
Is it worth considering being a ramp agent in order to gain experience and move on up the career ladder?
Interested in any comments.
Is it worth considering being a ramp agent in order to gain experience and move on up the career ladder?
Interested in any comments.
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Dude,
Yes go for it. I started in pax services, and this experience definitely was taken into consideration when I was given the job of dispatcher.
I also know of many dispatchers who started their career on the ramp, and some of them have ended up as supervisors.
Best of luck in your endeavours.
Brgds.
Yes go for it. I started in pax services, and this experience definitely was taken into consideration when I was given the job of dispatcher.
I also know of many dispatchers who started their career on the ramp, and some of them have ended up as supervisors.
Best of luck in your endeavours.
Brgds.
Join Date: Apr 2003
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I used to throw bags on during my uni holidays at LHR for EI and then BD......
As soon as you have some initial Airport exp. you can move thru pax services to dispatch and or any other dept that is recruitng. Handling agents offer more openings but mainly due to the turnover of staff. If you want to stay in the industry try to get in with an airline Good luck, You'll need it! But when you get something you enjoy you know your hard work will have paid off!
WTD
As soon as you have some initial Airport exp. you can move thru pax services to dispatch and or any other dept that is recruitng. Handling agents offer more openings but mainly due to the turnover of staff. If you want to stay in the industry try to get in with an airline Good luck, You'll need it! But when you get something you enjoy you know your hard work will have paid off!
WTD
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From Ramp tramp to Office bug..
Hey man,
Reccommend getting yourself some sort of ops qualification. It'll make you a whole lot more employable. City n Guilds have a decent enough course run through www.avtech200.co.uk
It's distance learning too so you wont have to spend too much time down there (near Farnborough). You could always go the whole way and get the FAA dispatcher licence, then you'll have a distinct advantage! Hope it was of some help.
Caio!
Reccommend getting yourself some sort of ops qualification. It'll make you a whole lot more employable. City n Guilds have a decent enough course run through www.avtech200.co.uk
It's distance learning too so you wont have to spend too much time down there (near Farnborough). You could always go the whole way and get the FAA dispatcher licence, then you'll have a distinct advantage! Hope it was of some help.
Caio!
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Dude, all,
I am involved in training new intakes of Dispatchers for a handling agent, and I would always rather have staff to train who already know how an airport works. It allows me a lot more time to get involved in the specifics of Ops/Dispatch rather than having to start from square one. My advice is to GO FOR IT! The hours are rubbish, the money is not much better, but once the airport bug bites you, you're hooked!.
Good luck...
PHX
I am involved in training new intakes of Dispatchers for a handling agent, and I would always rather have staff to train who already know how an airport works. It allows me a lot more time to get involved in the specifics of Ops/Dispatch rather than having to start from square one. My advice is to GO FOR IT! The hours are rubbish, the money is not much better, but once the airport bug bites you, you're hooked!.
Good luck...
PHX
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Well thanks for the replies guys - encouraging. I've been acepted with a handling agent at LHR, just waiting for security pass to be issued, hopefully start in 2 weeks!
Dude.
Dude.
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Servisair offer the easiest route I think.
I started off on the checkin desk for my first summer/winter season. Second summer they needed a Dispatcher. Applied and got the job. Mind you it's more of a turn-a-round coordinator than dispatch becuase we are not allowed to create or sign loadsheets or plan loads. Load control courses are availible and Im waiting to do do mine.
I started off on the checkin desk for my first summer/winter season. Second summer they needed a Dispatcher. Applied and got the job. Mind you it's more of a turn-a-round coordinator than dispatch becuase we are not allowed to create or sign loadsheets or plan loads. Load control courses are availible and Im waiting to do do mine.
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I too am in the process of working my way to get the FAA dispatcher licence. Ramp experience as a ramp agent counts for a great deal for two reasons...first of all you become aware of aircraft operations; ploggs, notams, etops etc. Secondly, the more experience you get with weight and balance, load control etc, the more likely you are to get your course truncated and pay less. I have been contacting flight schools in the US and bearing in mind my experience most schools are willing to cut the fees and attendance by up to 40%. So matey, stick with it, don't be impatient about getting your FAA licence immediately. Work the ramp, ask flight deck questions about routing, weather, fuel planning and it will all help in the long run......
