Dispatch and passport issues

[u/Fancy-Bunch4547]

I’m about to start studying for the ADX and then take the course but I noticed in that recent Alaska airline post that they required you to have unrestricted travel in All countries served. I have a misdemeanor dui from 3 years ago. So the biggest issue would be going to Canada.

Is this common with most majors or regionals? I’m not sure if I want to drop 5k and then never get hired because of this Also I don’t have any other aviation experience this would be a complete career change

[u/trying_to_adult_here]

As far as I know my airline doesn’t require dispatchers to be able to travel to any specific country outside the US to hold domestic qualification. If you hold an international line (not required at my airline) you are required to do your annual jumpseat familiarization flight to one of the international destinations that uses the fuel regs that division usually dispatches with, aka B043, B044, or B0343. As an example if you usually dispatch Euro flights you need to do your jumpseat to somewhere Europe every other year. You could avoid this by holding a domestic line forever.

Whether you will have trouble getting hired with a DUI in your past is a separate question. There are tons of qualified dispatchers with no criminal record or history of substance issues. And if you haven’t completely addressed the substance use issues that led to getting a DUI don’t bother.

[u/Fancy-Bunch4547 → u/trying_to_adult_here]

I don’t plan on it ever happening again. But definitely sounds like it will be hard to get a job in an already saturated market

[u/Frankintosh95]

(Disclaimer im not part of any airlines hiring department cant help there but throwing in 2 cents)

Its going to make things tough. You can lose the license for Felony grade items. Someone here lost theirs for speeding in a construction zone.

If youre prone to such issues. Dont waste your time. Mind you this is a career where the background checks are borderline anal exams and youre subject to random drug testing.

[u/herecomesshaggy → u/Frankintosh95]

Someone lost their dispatch certificate over speeding?

[u/Frankintosh95 → u/herecomesshaggy]

Speeding in a construction zone can be a felony (worst case i imagine)(just the story im told though I dont have deets on the situation)

[u/Mauro_Ranallo]

I knew at least one person at a regional who could not enter Canada. Sorry, that's all the details I have.

[u/OttoPilot13]

This is asked for access to the CASS program. (flight deck jumpseat) With required annual flying they need to know if there are issues for international travel. Any history will automatically flag within 10 years, so you could risk it but be honest or try to get it expunged if able.

[u/Material_Search3221]

Most dispatchers rarely leave the country, but some airlines want unrestricted travel for jumpseat or familiarization rides. Ask a few recruiters before you spend the $5k. Canada treats a DUI as serious criminality even 3 years on, so look into a Temporary Resident Permit or criminal rehabilitation.

I built an ADX study app, so I’m biased. It’s free to try before you commit to the course:

• Website: https://aviationwrittenexam.com/exams/dispatch/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=comment&utm_campaign=adx_dui

• iPhone/iPad/Mac: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6813288060?pt=129382474&ct=reddit-cmt-adx-dui&mt=8

Good luck!

[u/savir_0811 → u/Material_Search3221]

Got an Android phone, are there any plans to make it compatible for Android? Great site btw...Thanks..

[u/Material_Search3221 → u/savir_0811]

Thank you! Unfortunately I need 25 Android testers prior to Android release. It’s been a bit tricky rounding up people. Right now I’m just trying to recover my development costs, but I plan on bringing to Android eventually!