Should i be a Dispatcher??
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Should i be a Dispatcher??
Hi folks first post for me, i have applied for a few jobs as a dispatcher and have been offered a job on behalf of servisair at my local airport Liverpool John Lennon. I was just wondering from you people that are in the business, whether it is a good business to go in to or not? What sort of opportunities can arise from this line of work and whats the money like?
All replies welcome
Kind Regards
Lee@LPL
All replies welcome
Kind Regards
Lee@LPL
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Money is ****, but then most people don't do it for that. Hours are **** too and really messes up your social life. Career prospects are not great either. In my experience of the Circus, promotion is dead mans shoes, but if you are just using it as a stepping stone to something better in the industry then it's a good place to start to get experience.
The job itself though is one of the best jobs you could ever do IMHO.
So depends on what you want out of it as to whether it's a good choice or not.
The job itself though is one of the best jobs you could ever do IMHO.
So depends on what you want out of it as to whether it's a good choice or not.
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I am dispatcher for one of the 3 major airlines of Europe. 
Job ist perfect, sallary very good, so everything fine... try to apply at bigger Airlines and you will get better money.
Job ist perfect, sallary very good, so everything fine... try to apply at bigger Airlines and you will get better money.
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Thanks for all your insites into the industry. I have realised that the money at the start is not great but i am only 17 years old and have the opportunity to do something i can enjoy. The job i have been offered is a dispatcher at LPL with servisair working approx 20 hours a week. What is the start pay like?
Regards Lee@LPL
Regards Lee@LPL
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Start pay around £5.70 p/h + shift pay and allowences. However i am on a perminant contract so get various extras. if your on a temporary contract then you will not get things such as call outs or any extra for working nightshift. you may also be on a different starting rate as i have heard that different stations get paid different rates(not sure how accurate that is though). Thought they had done away with all of the 20 hour contracts, or at least the have at ncl. Beside all the sh** pay and hours and standing around in the p***ing rain and howling wind it beats working in a shop(which i used to do) and the fact that no two days are the same mean you don't get bored very easily. all the best and hope you have full.
brgds BB
brgds BB
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In my experience, i have worked at Lhr for 2 different companies covering 20 or so different airlines, it is or ( was ) the best job you can have on the ground.
You are not tied to the office get to meet flight crews and have a good rapport with the gate staff, all this is as long as you don't panic and take it all too serious, and believe that you are god !
I have found too many people get too high opinions of themselves once they reach Dispatch / TCO / Load Control etc whatever you want to call it, at the end of the day all you need is common sense / basic maths and good communication skills.
At my previous company we did the full works Load control / Dispatch / Flight plans etc etc but nowadays Many of the Handling agents are splitting the job to save costs, which means standards have dropped while egos have risen, Many of the long haul carriers now have Load Control centralised in places like Dallas, Bangkok, Hong Kong etc and the staff at LHR don't have to make snap trim decisions to save time an example i heard about was a TCO demanded that 20 empty ake uld's be loaded per trim on a flight which consequently delayed loading, this was because he would have had to call BKK to change it, by having Load Contol locally this would not have happened.
I think that with cost savings prevailent throughout the industry that Centralised Load control will become more and more common which in turn will downgrade the Dispatcher to nothing more than a reporter or an extension of a senior Check in agent.
I would reccommend doing more on the Ops side of things although at the bigger Airports this tends to be Dead Mans shoes.
I have now left Dispatch for the above reasons for i see no future in the role and the pay scales have dropped dramatically
You are not tied to the office get to meet flight crews and have a good rapport with the gate staff, all this is as long as you don't panic and take it all too serious, and believe that you are god !
I have found too many people get too high opinions of themselves once they reach Dispatch / TCO / Load Control etc whatever you want to call it, at the end of the day all you need is common sense / basic maths and good communication skills.
At my previous company we did the full works Load control / Dispatch / Flight plans etc etc but nowadays Many of the Handling agents are splitting the job to save costs, which means standards have dropped while egos have risen, Many of the long haul carriers now have Load Control centralised in places like Dallas, Bangkok, Hong Kong etc and the staff at LHR don't have to make snap trim decisions to save time an example i heard about was a TCO demanded that 20 empty ake uld's be loaded per trim on a flight which consequently delayed loading, this was because he would have had to call BKK to change it, by having Load Contol locally this would not have happened.
I think that with cost savings prevailent throughout the industry that Centralised Load control will become more and more common which in turn will downgrade the Dispatcher to nothing more than a reporter or an extension of a senior Check in agent.
I would reccommend doing more on the Ops side of things although at the bigger Airports this tends to be Dead Mans shoes.
I have now left Dispatch for the above reasons for i see no future in the role and the pay scales have dropped dramatically
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Originally Posted by Lee@LPL
I am 18 in April and have a Full Uk driving liscence!!!!!!!!
What are you gonna be? Flight Dispatcher, or a Grounddispatcher? If you going to be the last one, disregard my question about the license.
If not, you need a Dispatch License.
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Its a ground dispatcher at LPL working with load sheets etc been offered the job, got a letter through this morning but just carnt make my decision whether to go 4 it or not? I am a trainnee draughtsman at the moment but not enjoying the job although it will be an excellent paying job in the future. When i spoke to the serviair rep he said that all the training was provided so i presume that they will get me the licence that i require!?
Regards Lee@LPL
Regards Lee@LPL
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Think you need to stay with your current job as I believe they are looking for immediate starts and if you abrieviate it is Servair then that will not go down well either!. The job requires dedication and is not to be taken lightly!
