Transfering to the USA from UK dispatcher

[Commander1]

Hey all, I had an interview recently for a position in dispatch at GLA. just wondering if you can transfer to the USA with these skills or do you need a license?

Is the pay good in the USA?

Cheers

[LHR_777]

I think you'll need an FAA Dispatchers Licence. We don't have a UK equivalent, unfortunately.

[groundhand]

You will need an FAA Licence but your main problem will be getting a work permit and finding a company to sponsor you for this - unless you have US nationality already.

[Commander1]

How would you obtain an FAA dispatcher license, is it good money over there if you become one?

Visa would be no problem.

I am a dispatcher for Aviance.

Cheers

[merlinxx]

Dispatcher terms

Aviance do not have on staff US/FAA type Flight Dispatchers. To give you an idea to see what we in UK/Euro zone are trying to do, I suggest you ctc [email protected] and ask him for a copy of his City University London project paper "Job profile and training requirements for European Flight Dispatchers". This will either frighten you or heighten your enthusiasm. Andreas's paper is outstanding.

[Commander1]

I already knew that they we'ren't because FAA is American and we're not America, but im wondering if I could go there with my experiance and a green card to become one there?

Does Aviance Dispatchers do the same job as an American or other UK dispatcher would do?

Kind regards

[merlinxx]

Commander!

Suggest you read my post in full. You are a Ramp Dispatcher, not a Flt Dispatcher, totally different world! Ramp agent in the US vary duties subject to location & company. Compare Southwest to AA. Southwest ramp agents are also gate/check-in agents. AA ramp agents are dedicated ramp personnel.

Ramp agents in the UK have no input to flt ops dispatch/crew briefing, route, flt, fuel, WX & notam planning etc etc etc.

Read the paper I suggested to you to get a handle on what Flight Dispatchers do and will be required to have ongoing knowledge of. In the US Flt Dispatchers are licensed just like aircrew and have to take regular checks also.

Please understand the differences in terminology, ramp dispatchers are not flt dispatchers. Preface the title Dispatcher with either Ramp or Flt.

[Commander1]

Ah I see, I was not told what type of Dispatcher position I had be given.

Im guessing by your post a ramp dispatcher is not as hard going as a flight dispatcher.


Reason im asking is that eventually i would like to move to either Canada or America to become a dispatcher, I dont know very much about the job, pay and responsibility over there and what is the better job to go for?. Green card would be no trouble however.

I appreciate your advice, thank you

P.S I found an aviation studies course at my local college, thats handy.

[merlinxx]

CMDR1

Good starting from scratch with City & Guilds Aviation Studies course 7280 is your best bet here. This'll give you the basic grounding for all functions.

[Commander1]

Thanks for you advice.

If I were to get my city and guilds and move to the US with my green card could i get a job as a flight dispatcher?

Do you know much about the pay?

Cheers

[opsbloke]

You could probably get a dispatch/flight follower position with a small part 135/part 91 operator without the FAA license, even then a lot of these operators still like their people to have the FAA ticket. As for pay, try doing some research into what carriers are where you intend to move to, for example, Delta in Atlanta, AA in Dallas..etc...

[merlinxx]

Cmdr1

What OpsBloke said was true, 'tis a good way in, but and a big but, expect no more than USD15K as remuneration, these posts tend to be taken by folks who are straight out of, or are still in Uni Avtn Studies positions. Sign up for your C&G either direct in class or remote learning then I would suggest make an application to both:

Jeppesen UK International Trip Planning as an assistant Planner, they are at LGW just south of airport peri. Check www.jeppesen.com click on International Trip Planning for overview of poss job functions.

or

Universal WX & Avtn. They are US HQ'd the UK base is at STN. Check www.univ-wea.com.

Both advertise on www.aviationjobsearch.com. Both of the above have a route into the US, either way it is an easier way in getting a grounding on a US thought process.

Keep us all advised. Cheers

[merlinxx]

opsbloke

I take it you have a handle on the US scene? If only folks outside of the US understood the salary structures over there, if they did they'd not be that quick in wanting to go. Flt Following clerk with the largest LoCo is on max USD25K with 3 years seniority. Yup OK some Supervisor Dispatchers with majors are up to USD75/80K with 10 years plus service, ain't the gold mine it was, the BizAv sector is now seemingly the best long term bet. Your thoughts SVP.

Cheers.

PS. I do know the US & non UK market fairly well.

[Commander1]

Hi there, I will keep you posted.

My job is a turnaround controller for aviance, they bought over BA so its not completely a "dispatch" position but i was told i get a license at the end of it. I have to get weather reports be able to read and plan the appropriate flight plan etc. Seems VERY interesting

Eventually I would love to go to the states and settle with my American boyfriend

[Commander1]

P.S Opsbloke I dont really mind which American carrier I work for its getting my foot in the door that counts

Quite fancy living in the Southern states as the weather is fantastic.

[opsbloke]

Try looking at Southwest, the closest thing to what you will be doing is Ops Agent, essentially a UK Ramp Dispatcher, vacancies all across the network, probably a good 'foot in the door'!! Keep an eye on their website for future openings...Oh and unless your boyfriend has UK permanent residence, be prepared to get frustrated with the red tape for the green card!! even then its a mountain of paperwork...

[opsbloke]

Merlin,
I live in the LHR area and to be honest I had an awful lot more disposable income when i worked for a biz jet company in Dallas than I have now, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, salary aside, l would recommend to anyone trying to start a Flt Dispatch / Ops career to give the biz jet companies a try first, lot more varied and you learn quickly, lets face it, its highly unlikely that you are going to walk into any US major carrier as an 'off the street' dispatcher...they tend to hire from the minors or subsidaries, ie Eagle, Mesa etc so if i were moving westward again and looking for a job as a dispatcher at entry level, I would try all avenues...I dont think any of us are in this for the money though are we??
Commander,
If you get your FAA License, chances are the school will help you find employment....if you are legally allowed to work there that is...

[Commander1]

Hey Opsbloke, what is it like living in the states compared to the UK? Is there a big difference? More hard going?

I have only been going on holiday there so I haven't had a chance to actually live the life of an average American.

Is there more taxes to pay, is it more stressful living there than here?

Cheers

[merlinxx]

opsbloke

What ho, which bizav op were you with? we may well have crossed paths! The fact as you well know is that the Scheduler/Dispatcher situation in BizAv/Corp ops has changed greatly over the last 20 years. When I first sat on the NBAA Intl Operators Committee one of stated aims was get the message out there about the absolute importance of good qual'd folks in Sked/Disp functions, hence the formation of the Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee. It's annual conference is not the biggest, with Int'l Ops #2.
Cheers

[opsbloke]

Commander,
Its great, less paid holidays though but the quality of life is much better for someone moving from the Southeast UK to one of the SW states, tax varies according to state, but as a rule its generally less, housing is a lot cheaper, generally i would say its what you make it really....