Discussing
Dispatch
SWA
Today interviews Director of Flight Control, Mike Mumford
We'd
like to think of SWA Today as a progressive paper.
Keeping this in mind we're highlighting the unsung heroes
of Flight (otherwise know as Dispatch). Michael Mumford,
Director Flight Control, talks about the new OCC, SheffieldWest
Dispatch School, and the Emergency Command Center.
Excerpts:
SWA
Today: How are things - specifically regarding the past
few months?
Mike:
We're just beginning to breathe again, we have had so many
major projects going on, but in general we're doing very
well. Looking back one year we have literally changed everything.
Hiring for the expansion, (we have 60 people in the department
now), new hardware, software, procedures, and facility.
I would like to thank everyone that had a part in our makeover,
and I can't say enough about the people in Flight Control.
Absolutely the best. With the new software and facility
I truly believe we have the finest Dispatch department in
the industry, and not just the Regional industry.
SWA
Today: I'm noticing you have a lot more room.
Mike:
Yes, the - new OCC (Operation
Control Center) is huge improvement from what
we had. We are now arranged in a team concept with the Coordinator
working with their dispatchers regionally. The facility
is fantastic, with custom-made dual monitor consoles. It's
not as Star-Wars-like as some, but to work in this open
environment with the views we have is wonderful. Much more
preferable then working in a dark cave. We also have a new
Emergency Command Center adjacent to-Dispatch to use in
the event of an accident or emergency. It will be state
of the art.
SWA
Today: So tell me about some of the other programs you're
implementing.
Mike: We're moving to a 24-hour schedule beginning
December 1st. Before we'd have to shut down and start up
again, but now we will have a constant seamless flow. We're
also moving to a staggered schedule, which will add and
decrease dispatchers with workload. This will be much more
operational and cost efficient.
SWA
Today: I know you work closely with scheduling - tell
me about that relationship.
Mike:
We used to have all of the crew schedulers in dispatch,
which when things got a little frantic contributed to the
noise and frenetic atmosphere. Scheduling is an integral
part of our team in the OCC, and we will continue to work
closely with them. In this new environment we will now have
one point person scheduler to communicate with, who will
deal with immediate crew issues. They will sit on what we
call the "bridge" with the dispatch shift supervisor. There
may also be additional decision making positions on the
bridge in the future.
SWA
Today: Fair enough. Now the real reason for the interview
- let's talk about the new school. Why
Sheffield?
Mike:
Sheffield School of Aeronautics (out of Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla.) is arguably one of the best dispatch schools in the
industry, with contracts with several majors including Delta,
and the military. Before this I had been working with Dixie
College on the practical portion of the dispatch exam, but
I wanted to move to a more nationally recognized program.
Sheffield wanted a presence out west, and some benefits
that would come from working directly with an airline. So
I approached them about 4 years ago and the partnership
is finally coming to fruition. We will provide the facility
SheffieldWest-SkyWest Campus; they will provide the instruction.
It will be the first and only dispatch
school with instruction based on a Regional jet, working
in collaboration with a Regional Airline in the country.
This will make the graduate more attractive to the industry
for employment, as its likely they will be hired by a regional
airline for their first job.
SWA
Today: So it's a win-win situation.
Mike:
Exactly...Obviously
we're excited...One of the major challenges we all face
is finding high quality employees. SheffieldWest helps solve
that problem. The students will be trained on the RJ with
our software. They will be familiar with the area, and we
will be much more familiar with them instead of hiring from
a one hour interview.
SWA
Today: So when does the infamous school begin?
Mike:
Our first class is scheduled for (later this year).
SWA
Today: And the class lasts how long?
Mike:
Six weeks*, and then a two week break. So ideally we will
be running a class every eight weeks. But we'll feel things
out first.
*Occasionally
5 weeks.
Visit
Sheffield School of Aeronautics' Ft.Lauderdale campus
(in continuous operation)
