flight dispatcher - ground ops
 

Afraid, here's another job question - but with a slightly different slant and I hope it doesn't sound daft.
I am a disenchanted IT Manager reaching that dangerous "mid-life-crisis" time (48). After over 25 years in IT, I'm hacked off and looking for a complete change. I've a life long interest in aviation but, the question is - if I get my City and Guilds in "Airline Operations and Dispatch" and maybe the "Airport Operations" qualification too - do I have any chance of securing an operations/dispatch job? Also, should I think about trying to start out with tickets/baggage, as I have no actual airport working experience?

In all fairness, you don't need any qualifications to become a dispatcher. Just drop a line to one of the handling agents (Aviance, Servisair, Groundstar) at your local airport to find out if they have any positions and they will train you up "in house". Now is a good time as companies are taking on ready for the busy summer season.

p.s. Don't expect IT wages;)

Many thanks for the advice
Nick

I'm probably being rude, not politically correct, insensitive blah blah etc etc but here goes anyway .... if you are 48, I hope you are a very fit 48 year old. The Dispatch job can be very demanding physically. After 15 years of rushing around at Heathrow, I gracefully "retired" to a more sedentary job to give my knees a rest, aged about 40.

It may be that the service companies have a different approach to the job. My roster was 7/3; 7/4 and by the 7th day and countless 30ft climbs of the airstairs to Jumbo aircraft doors during the week made me a tad tired. The 8th day was a washout.

It's probably just me but worth giving it a thought all the same.

Best of luck anyway.

Airport Ops can be more difficult to get into but can be very rewarding. I would suggest keeping an eye on airport web-sites and for the larger operators loking at the security route as a first step.

I certainly have no regrets :ok:

It's not qualifications you will need, most handlers/airlines will require a modest lengh of experience. I know individuals that have taken various operations qualifications but have been turned down because of the lack of experience. My advice would be to try and secure a job first then qualify afterwards, you could always mention the qualification during initial contact and interviews. Good luck.