ADF FAQ's

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This airline handles both cargo and passengers both domestic and international. We have only one salary of which I cannot get upper management to commit to a salary range.   I am a member of the ADF. I've been in the dispatch function of operations since 1963. I've been associated with the DC-3 through the B747 aircraft.  (Stories, ya, I have. They would fill a book).

 I appreciate anything you might be able to do assisting my situation.

The ADF is an all volunteer organization (all working dispatchers) and in accordance with our bylaws is an advocacy organization for working dispatchers and not a labor organization.  Below are links to the two unions that represent most of the organized dispatchers.

      http://www.twu.org        http://www.pafca.org

You should be able to find links on these sites to contact the local union officials who can provide those answers.  

I hope this will be of help to you.

I have read the web site information and have gone through the packet and am looking for some of the benefits in order to get more people to join.  I am having a hard time selling ADF to other dispatchers. If you could please send me what some of the benefits are I would be able to get more people to join.

I guess in a nut shell, ADF does 2 or 3 main things. 

 1.  Get the profession of the Dispatcher “out there”.  Many organizations have a vision of what they believe the future of the aviation industry should look like.  In many of these FAA, NTSB & NASA meetings, it is not uncommon to have an ocean of FAA/ATC , pilots & one Dispatcher in attendance.  The Dispatcher many times has changed the course of these meetings by simply stating.... "But what about joint responsibility?" 

 These visions will progress into decisions and become reality made by those groups that were represented.  The question becomes "where will the Dispatcher be in the vision"? 

It is apparent the future of the Aircraft Dispatcher is being developed now.  We must ensure that we remain a STRONG force in the "safety triad" of the pilot, ATC and the Dispatcher. 

 ADF is the only voice representing the Dispatch profession in today's airline industry.

Who do you think changed the course of what the pilots were then calling "Free Flight" .... there was no dispatcher in the original plan until an American Airlines Dispatcher who was attending for ADF on his day off stood up and said, Hey, what about driftdown?

Did you know that the first crack of the "Spring 2000 Program" (new ATC procedures implemented in April) stated the dispatcher will NOT change the flight plan within 45 minutes of Push time.  Then a dispatcher said, "what if a pack goes inop at push time and we need to change the FL, we HAVE to be able to change it to be legal.

 2.  Training, Training, Training!  I have learned more from the exchange at the meetings, Newsletters, Position papers, than I do in my recurrent training.  Plus, I take stuff back to my training manager to use....and he likes it. 

Did you know there is going to be a new RMK to appear on the ASOS sites for ice accumulation?  We had the paper work from the FAA in Chicago .

Can you launch or continue your aircraft if the FT is forecast below landing minimums if you currently have RVR?  See related "fuel survey(s) " on the web site.

Can you land if the CFR is busy with a trash fire?

If you have RVR lights on only 3/4 of the runway, can you land?

3.  Look at "Accomplishments" to see what we do...there is a lot, but you'll get a better idea.  Working on the "top 10 dispatch issues" to forward to the FAA/NASA for consideration and to conduct studies for a possible answer.

4.  Dispatch Opportunities shared (see employment section on this web site - members only)

It's all about raising the bar for the Dispatch Profession and making sure we will prepared to step up to it.

Well, that's just my opinion.  There may not be a lot of immediate, in hand benefits (except for the Job Opportunities) .. the majority of our work is for the next few years and for the future... where the dispatcher will be/should be in the mix  in 5 - 10 years...

Try to make the Symposium.  It's the big one.  Then, let us know your airlines views, concerns and where we, as a non labor, volunteer organizations, need to be putting our limited energies...better yet, jump in!

If you want more opinions, you can reach the board with the e-mail adfboard@disaptcher.org  

I am a senior in high school and I am writing a research paper on aviation safety.  I am required to interview someone with a credible background on this subject whom I may quote in my paper.  I would appreciate it if at least one person could E-mail me with any answers he or she might have to the following questions.  Please remember that I will need the name of the person and a brief description of his or her occupation and/or credentials that qualify him or her as a credible source. 

-What types of routine checks are performed on a daily basis to ensure the safety of all passengers on commercial airplanes?

-What are some actions that have been taken (laws, programs, etc.) as a result of airlines' desire to support a proactive policy rather than an entirely reactive policy concerning the anticipation of future accidents?

-What evidence could support the idea that airlines offer a safer means of transportation than automobiles?

-Do any airlines provide significantly safer travel than their competitors?

-What organizations have made the greatest contributions to commercial aviation safety?

-What are some examples of new technology that have/will reduce the risk of accident?

ADF is always interested in assisting anyone who is interested in learning about dispatchers.  However, it seems the information you need would best be provided by government statistics.  Obviously, since ADF members work for various airlines, we would be reluctant to name one airline as 'safer' than another.  The federal government keeps statistics on all of that, of course, so that is where you can go for help.  Also, when comparing air travel to car travel, it is difficult to find a common measurement.  Do you use number of trips, or number of people carried, type of road vs. type of aircraft operation?  Very tricky stuff; bottom line is that being on an FAR Part 121 air carrier is safer than being in your own home.

The maintenance requirements for Part 121 aircraft are all spelled out in the regulations, and would take a large book to outline.  The safety statistics would take months to read through and breakdown into something that would be useful in a high school paper. 

The best suggestion I can make is that you contact your elected representative and request the information from that source.  A quick search for Congress on the internet will get you to the House, and from there you can find the Subcommittee on Aviation, or the Department of Transportation.  Those are the most credible sources available.

Do you know of any Spanish Dispatch resources?

For Spanish Speaking Dispatchers….

A todos los despachadores hispano-parlantes, visten el siguiente club de YAHOO.. http://mx.clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/despachadordevuelos  (to all Spanish-speaking dispatchers, visit the following yahoo club).

I am or was about to embark on a journey to become a flight dispatcher. My question is, due to the recent events of 9/11/01 and the outcome with many airlines, how is this affecting the airline dispatchers? (Meaning, are they being laid off in great numbers or is everyone still employed) Would you recommend pursuit of the dispatch license at this time? (Next Month) What is your forecast for dispatch future employment in light of the current layoffs with airlines? Thank you for any professional insight you may have.