Flight Crew Scheduler Career

A flight crew scheduler is responsible for scheduling all flights, recording sick calls, absences and no shows, handling overscheduled flights and making hotel reservations as well as many other responsibilities. The flight crew scheduler position is available at all airports and with all airlines.

Flight crew scheduling is normally a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week job. Therefore, you will be required to work shift-work which will include weekends and holidays.

You should keep in mind that many airlines require criminal history and background checks.

How to Start a Career of a Crew Scheduler

If you wish to start a career of a crew scheduler, here are some instructions for you:

1. First of all, you should graduate from high school. Airlines, including small, commuter airlines will not hire you if you do not have a high school diploma.
2. Flight crew schedulers spend the majority of their time at work on computers. Good typing skills are essential for obtaining a job as a flight crew scheduler. So you should learn how to use a computer. Many airlines rely on computerized word processing, spreadsheet and database programs when scheduling flight crews. Expert knowledge in these types of programs is very importatnt to success as a flight crew scheduler.
3. The FAA has very strict rules and regulations regarding flight crew requirements and flying times. It is the responsibility of the flight crew scheduler to assess crew coverage and adhere to these rules. That’s why you should Learn FAA regulations regarding crew flight requirements, flying times and required non-flying times. Universities and colleges offer aviation degree that would include information on FAA regulations.
4. You should learn Transportation Security Administration (TSA) SecureFlight Procedures. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Secure flight regulations can be found at the TSA website. Some airlines require the flight crew scheduler to also assist with the TSA Secure Flight procedure, which is a policy requiring all passengers to provide photo identification so that it may be checked against watch lists before a boarding pass is issued. Although not all airlines include this under the duties of the flight crew scheduler, knowing the regulations could be beneficial should the job description change.
5. It’s necessary to develop communication skills. Flight crew schedulers must be able to communicate with flight crews to be sure all regulations are met and all flights have adequate crew members. Phone skills are also necessary. Being able to demonstrate that you have proper phone communication skills is important to getting a job as a scheduler with an airline.
6. You’d better establish record-keeping skills. Airlines are required to keep meticulous records, requiring the flight crew scheduler to do so as well. The flight crew scheduler is responsible for efficiently scheduling pilots and flight attendants, so you will need to show the airline that you will be able to keep good documentation of that information. Local community schools offer courses in organization and record-keeping, although specific records required for flight crew schedulers will be best learned on the job.

Scheduling Software Programs

Getting experience in scheduling software programs is also beneficial to obtaining a job as a flight crew scheduler. The ability to manage many schedules is important to being successful as a flight crew scheduler. So getting experience in any type of crew scheduling is useful.

It is crucial that the flight crew scheduler be able to work well under pressure. Flight crew schedulers are vital to the airline industry. If weather or mechanical difficulties delay a flight, the crew scheduler is responsible for making adjustments.