Airport Jobs
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Airport Jobs
Hi,
just finished my degree and PPL and was thinking of getting a job at an airport to pay off some debts before getting my ATPL. Can anyone suggest any jobs that might be out there which would also look good to airlines? Thanks
stu
just finished my degree and PPL and was thinking of getting a job at an airport to pay off some debts before getting my ATPL. Can anyone suggest any jobs that might be out there which would also look good to airlines? Thanks
stu
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Agree with Rowley. Dispatch is as good an opportunity you will get to be up close and personal with the a/c and talking to the crews. Lot's of vacancies over the summer, especially at the major airports.
However, it isn't well paid (but it beats the hell out of working at McD's or in a high street shop) and it can involve unsocial hours, but hey, so can flying. Ring your local airport and ask for the numbers for the ground handling agents there.
However, it isn't well paid (but it beats the hell out of working at McD's or in a high street shop) and it can involve unsocial hours, but hey, so can flying. Ring your local airport and ask for the numbers for the ground handling agents there.
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its been a long time since ive seen as many airlines recruiting for cabin crew as there is now.
You should consider enquiring, where you based, i'll give you a list of airlines your guaranteed to get a position with if you just put some effort into your appearance.
a dispatcher is a really hard job, them holds are tiny places, and lifting heavy cases, cant see how that would be any way good for your back.
Im starting my integrated atpl in october, but working for an airline at the mo as a trolley dolly. man theres loads of fit women, and youve got NO competition if you know what i mean. Its worth enquiring. I'd recommend it, I've Learnt so much.
You should consider enquiring, where you based, i'll give you a list of airlines your guaranteed to get a position with if you just put some effort into your appearance.
a dispatcher is a really hard job, them holds are tiny places, and lifting heavy cases, cant see how that would be any way good for your back.
Im starting my integrated atpl in october, but working for an airline at the mo as a trolley dolly. man theres loads of fit women, and youve got NO competition if you know what i mean. Its worth enquiring. I'd recommend it, I've Learnt so much.
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sullyd,
Don't confuse dispatch with the lads who do the ramp work. The dispatcher is the guy who co-ordinates the turnaround of the a/c and makes sure that everything that is required for departure (fuel, pax, bags, paperwork) is done on time as far as posiible. Perhaps if you spent more time watching what went on rather than chasing hosties you might have noticed.
stu,
As far as I know, you don't need any formal qualifications for dispatch. Academically it's not demanding, but a good dollop of common sense and the ability to get yourself organised will help. If you can walk and chew gum, you're probably in.
Don't confuse dispatch with the lads who do the ramp work. The dispatcher is the guy who co-ordinates the turnaround of the a/c and makes sure that everything that is required for departure (fuel, pax, bags, paperwork) is done on time as far as posiible. Perhaps if you spent more time watching what went on rather than chasing hosties you might have noticed.
stu,
As far as I know, you don't need any formal qualifications for dispatch. Academically it's not demanding, but a good dollop of common sense and the ability to get yourself organised will help. If you can walk and chew gum, you're probably in.
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If there are local companys with ops deptments nearby see if there are any summer ops jobs going.
Ops is an amazing insite into commercial aviation. And by the nature of the job you will be talking day to day with the people who decide who gets hired. i.e the best sort of networking you can get.
What do you do in ops?
Coordinating everything which allows the crew to fly.
You will get way more knowledge in ops than dispatching. You will just have to watch when your doing your ATPL exams that you can remember to forget what you would really do in real life and answer the questions as if you worked in the JAR world that the powers that be would like us to think operates.
MJ
Ops is an amazing insite into commercial aviation. And by the nature of the job you will be talking day to day with the people who decide who gets hired. i.e the best sort of networking you can get.
What do you do in ops?
Coordinating everything which allows the crew to fly.
You will get way more knowledge in ops than dispatching. You will just have to watch when your doing your ATPL exams that you can remember to forget what you would really do in real life and answer the questions as if you worked in the JAR world that the powers that be would like us to think operates.
MJ
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I wouldn't get too worked up about gaining employment in an airport/airline. Go get a well-paid job (that said, I have no idea what a dispatcher earns!!!!) with your degree, sat at a desk or something (yes it stinks, but it can pay well), pay back your debts quicker and get on with your training.
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withdoctor,
Do you think people want to be rampies, they start at this then move to dispatch, its like your job at tesco, you start at the bottom.
Maybe if you spent less time trying to magically make an fatpl appear youd do yourself some good.
Wake Up and smell the coffee.!
Do you think people want to be rampies, they start at this then move to dispatch, its like your job at tesco, you start at the bottom.
Maybe if you spent less time trying to magically make an fatpl appear youd do yourself some good.
Wake Up and smell the coffee.!
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sullyd,
already got my fATPL thanks mate - it's very nice.
and got straight in as a dispatcher too.
and when i joined the supermarket rat race, i was straight in as a manager.
maybe they just liked me because i'm such a wonderful guy.
once you know what you're talking about, perhaps you'll come back and post something factually correct.
already got my fATPL thanks mate - it's very nice.
and got straight in as a dispatcher too.
and when i joined the supermarket rat race, i was straight in as a manager.
maybe they just liked me because i'm such a wonderful guy.
once you know what you're talking about, perhaps you'll come back and post something factually correct.
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I was a Despatcher at LGW in the late 80s prior to doing my CAP509 course. After graduating in Mar 91 went back to Despatching until a J31 airline job came up. 9 years after being a despatcher I was a B757 Captain.
The Despatching experience was invaulable and I have used the knowledge gained many times. The insight into how, when and why things can go wrong on the ramp during a turn round is very useful. For example when the computersised check-in and weight and balance (DCS) system goes down having to quickly do my own loadsheet has no fears!
Furthermore the knowledge gained in Ops has been very useful in spotting re-routes to avoid a slot delay.
Also when you are 1 passenger down at the gate on a 233 seat B757 that means that more than 99% have read all the signs and made it -perhaps a long way down the pier- on time. Not bad as an average performance. Despatching experience and knowledge helps you stay on top of things. It also helps you keep things in perspective.
As far as qualifications are concerned most people doing the job do not have anything specific as it is a 'learn as you go job'. Also many Flight Crews do not realise that you will nearly always be understaffed and could be overseeing several flights at once. Crews would sometimes -out of lack of understanding- ask me where the @@@ I had been. It can be tough at times with long hours. I always vowed that if I became flight deck crew I would always look after ground crew.
However whilst I was a Despatcher I did the City & Guilds 7282 Course called the 'Advanced Certificate in Operations & Flight Despatch' The course was held at the Redhill Tech. Dept. of Aviation Studies.
The course was very interesting and covered Flight Watch, Met, Performance A, Flight Planning & Safety, Load Control/Weight & Balance and Route Planning. It certainly made much of my CPL study that was then yet to come much easier. I would recommend this course if it is still available. It is also good for the CV. Remember that when you get your fATPL it is a huge achievement but everyone in the running has one.
SAM 2M
The Despatching experience was invaulable and I have used the knowledge gained many times. The insight into how, when and why things can go wrong on the ramp during a turn round is very useful. For example when the computersised check-in and weight and balance (DCS) system goes down having to quickly do my own loadsheet has no fears!
Furthermore the knowledge gained in Ops has been very useful in spotting re-routes to avoid a slot delay.
Also when you are 1 passenger down at the gate on a 233 seat B757 that means that more than 99% have read all the signs and made it -perhaps a long way down the pier- on time. Not bad as an average performance. Despatching experience and knowledge helps you stay on top of things. It also helps you keep things in perspective.
As far as qualifications are concerned most people doing the job do not have anything specific as it is a 'learn as you go job'. Also many Flight Crews do not realise that you will nearly always be understaffed and could be overseeing several flights at once. Crews would sometimes -out of lack of understanding- ask me where the @@@ I had been. It can be tough at times with long hours. I always vowed that if I became flight deck crew I would always look after ground crew.
However whilst I was a Despatcher I did the City & Guilds 7282 Course called the 'Advanced Certificate in Operations & Flight Despatch' The course was held at the Redhill Tech. Dept. of Aviation Studies.
The course was very interesting and covered Flight Watch, Met, Performance A, Flight Planning & Safety, Load Control/Weight & Balance and Route Planning. It certainly made much of my CPL study that was then yet to come much easier. I would recommend this course if it is still available. It is also good for the CV. Remember that when you get your fATPL it is a huge achievement but everyone in the running has one.
SAM 2M
Last edited by SAM 2M; 3rd May 2004 at 21:42.
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There is a possible job in BRS for Ops assistant / Pilot with 250 hrs, email [email protected] with CV
Phil
Phil
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Since Flight Instructing is a great way to log them hours as a first job, I suggest being a dispatcher at a flight school. That way your almost guaranteed an instructing job!
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Dispatcher vs. Ops
Is there anyone out there who could give a more detailed job description of an aircraft dispatcher? And what exactly was meant by ops? Not everyone here is clued-up.
How would I go about applying for a job as a dispatcher?
I live in the Kingston area which isn't too far from Heathrow.
How would I go about applying for a job as a dispatcher?
I live in the Kingston area which isn't too far from Heathrow.
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Not that ive ever done it, but a dispatcher is normally the person running around before the flight departs ensuring the required paper work is completed. They are also normally involved in completing the load sheet etc...so pretty good exposure to airline ops before the first flying job. I'm sure there are plenty of chaps here with first hand experience who will give a bit more indepth breakdown of the job.
From an application point of view..i would try contacting the various handling agents, servisair, aviance, etc...see if the have any vacancies.
Cheers
PP
From an application point of view..i would try contacting the various handling agents, servisair, aviance, etc...see if the have any vacancies.
Cheers
PP