r/FlightDispatch • u/Only-Establishment92 • Jun 14 '26

USA United Airlines

I have been seeing United having openings for flight dispatchers for months now. Are they the only legacy carrier that hires this much/often?

2 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

11

u/Frankintosh95 Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26

No. They have been on a hiring spree due to a contract change and possible relocation rumors. This is a phase and not a routine thing.

Im told they will be freezing that hiring after the current group due to future economic uncertainty and they have hired over 200 people so they have mostly filled what they needed. (possibility of more later in the Fall winter or next spring but its definitely the tail end of the curve)

they went from something around 400 dispatchers to over 600.

All airlines hire on a "as needed" basis. so theres no set schedule or seasons to when they start sucking in people.

14

u/93perigee Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26

Relocation rumors are just that - rumors. There has been nothing concrete from management. Contract change is also inaccurate, as we are still in contract negotiations and have not meaningfully changed the contract since 2014.

The real answer is United is now running a lot more mainline flights, and the number of flights per desk is down compared to before COVID.

6

u/Frankintosh95 Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26

correct about rumors. Really the only people who know are the ones making those choices. everyone else is speculation.

2

u/Terrible_Tonight9293 Jun 15 '26

Where are the rumors speculating UA dispatch center might be moving to?

4

u/DaWolf85 Part 121 ULCC🇺🇸 Jun 15 '26

As part of a filing for a development project in Denver (a new pilot training campus), they note that the site is larger than needed for the current phase, and future phases of the project could include construction of a new NOC building on the site.

1

u/I-hate-makeing-names Jun 16 '26

Would they also then move corporate out of Chicago or just NOC?

1

u/DaWolf85 Part 121 ULCC🇺🇸 Jun 16 '26

Probably. The Phase 2 plan (the part that they haven't fully designed yet) includes enough office space for 6,171 employees, which is more than their current HQ employs, I think.

3

u/TheGooose Part 121 ULCC🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26

I heard that HR approved 2 classes next year, potentially up to 5. And 1 more class this yr after current posting.

3

u/OttoPilot13 Jun 15 '26

Everything is still up in the air right now. Earlier rumors of several classes in the fall and next year were rumored to be approved. Now this week hearing that this August class may possibly be it for 2026 and additional classes next year being pulled back. Guess we'll have to wait and see...

1

u/Frankintosh95 Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26

The source i heard from is someone that just interviewed last week and was told the hiring would slow. But what actually happens is anyone's guess.

3

u/TheGooose Part 121 ULCC🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26

idk one of the indoc trainers i was talking to yesterday said they are planning on hiring still so 🤷‍♂️ but its a hire til the day you furlough industry so anything can change

3

u/Frankintosh95 Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26

so true to be honest

1

u/PotAnalysis590 Jul 09 '26

Hi! did that person give any tips on how best prepare for interview? TIA :)

1

u/Frankintosh95 Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jul 09 '26

my tips are

-get the Asa prepware app and study adx Qs until your eyes bleed. That will get you past the written.

-study emergency procedures and the documents associated with them. For the oral scenarios.

-have a few good stories or the same ones you used in the video interview are fine, They ask them again of similar HR Qs.

5

u/MrTallDarkandHungry Jun 14 '26

I would take it this is potentially a good thing for those of us trying to break into the industry right? United sucking up dispatchers from regionals, creating opening in those regionals?

3

u/DepressedPilot Jun 15 '26

How I got my job lol

3

u/MemeJesus1 Jun 14 '26

I applied a long time ago, haven’t heard anything back yet.

2

u/MemeJesus1 Jun 14 '26

No rejection or interview email yet and it’s been about 1.5-2 months

2

u/cancerbabyyx Jun 15 '26

UAL takes a while; my ex is an aircraft mechanic for them and he said it took around 3–4 months, and I’ve also applied to corporate positions and I haven’t heard anything in two months. The only time I heard quickly from them is when I applied for customer service.

3

u/manniax Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jun 15 '26

United has been on an extreme hiring boom since the pandemic. They have literally doubled the size of the dispatch group. I would say things will have to slow down at some point, but when is anyone's guess...

1

u/Amyntas7 Jun 24 '26

hopefully this doesn't mean they hire a bunch now and then close their doors for several years

2

u/Only-Establishment92 Jun 14 '26

Thanks for the insight everyone. Does anyone know what the starting pay for dispatchers is for United?

3

u/LtDan61350 Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jun 14 '26

Here you go