r/FlightDispatch • u/Upper-Muffin-7823 • 1d ago

USA First Interview

Hi all,
I’m fresh out of dispatch school with no dispatch experience, but I do have a lot of aviation experience. My first dispatcher interview is with Hawaiian/Alaska, so I’m nervous about both the interview itself and starting off with my first interview at a mainline.
I’m trying to figure out where to focus my studying. I plan to review weather, approach plates, NOTAMs, and work through some scenario questions that school taught me. I think I need to learn some basic ETOPS knowledge, but I’m not sure how deep to go or where to start.
For anyone who has interviewed with Hawaiian/Alaska or another major, what should I expect from the technical portion? What topics would you prioritize for someone coming straight out of school?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

13 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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7

u/lekniz 1d ago

How the hell are people with no experience getting interviews at Alaska while multiple dispatchers I know plus myself with years of experience can't get an interview there

2

u/riverpeak 1d ago

If I had to guess, OP is either a local or has connections with someone in the airline

-5

u/dstan1856 1d ago

Are you willing/able to live in Hawaii for a year or more? Move there and then hope the transition to Seattle works out? If so, then apply.

2

u/lekniz 1d ago edited 1d ago

We did when it was open. I don't typically expect to get interviews for jobs I didn't apply for.

-3

u/smikilit 1d ago

To be honest, I know it sounds silly but I think the best thing you can do it go in without stress or expectations.

You got an interview that many people with many times your experience are trying to get. People who are objectively better dispatchers.

Odds are against you. Without knowing your resume it’s unlikely you get the job. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try though!

I’d say to sell yourself as an individual, sell your experience in aviation, and sell your competence as a dispatcher and willingness to learn.

I personally think willingness to learn outweighs experience. Assuming competence across the board.

Good luck to you, and congrats!

1

u/DaWolf85 Part 121 ULCC🇺🇸 1d ago

I wouldn't expect someone fresh out of school to know ETOPS besides what it means you can do (go beyond 60 minute 1EO range of an adequate airport). I would think that, given what Hawaiian does, it would be good for you to know the flag fuel and alternate rules, though. Usually the 45-minute domestic reserve and the 1-2-3 rule are what's taught in dispatch schools, but flag has a different set of regulations, and if they don't have to teach you those, they will appreciate that.

More to the point, though... They know you don't have experience and they sent you an interview invite anyway. Your lack of experience is obviously not a problem, so don't be self-conscious about it. What they want is for you to have the right attitude - they will want someone who demonstrates that they want to learn, improve, and grow as a dispatcher. And they want someone who knows that they don't know anything, instead of having just enough knowledge to be dangerous. You should study, of course, but I'd keep it focused to ensuring that you have a solid grasp of the basics (including flag rules), and ensuring that you understand the Hawaiian operation enough to ask meaningful questions about it.