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Southwest Airlines® Network Operations Control and Dispatch at the International Women in Aviation (WAI) Annual Conference.

Say hello.

Thanks for flying by! We're so glad you're here. Southwest® is proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of WAI. Visit us at Booth 228 to speak with members of our Dispatch Team about how your career can take off. We hope to meet you soon!

Who we are:

The Network Operations Control (NOC) is the world-class operations center at Southwest Airlines, which functions as the Heart for major operational decisions and coordination, 24/7, to keep our airline running.

The mission of the NOC is to deliver our Company initiatives safely while effectively and efficiently managing operational disruptions, relentlessly maintaining our low-cost advantage, and delivering the highest level of Customer Service.

The NOC

  • In its 51st year of service, Southwest operates the largest domestic network serving the U.S.
  • Designed and built as a hardened facility with 12-inch thick walls able to withstand winds up to 165 mph. 
  • Offers Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries and carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.
  • “Home base" for more than 700 Employees including Dispatchers, Meteorologists, Crew Schedulers, and more.

Assistant Dispatchers

  • Assistant Dispatchers support Superintendents of Dispatch (SODs) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialists with the various ongoing daily flight operations of Southwest Airlines. They assist with all aspects of Southwest charter operations and acquire knowledge through on-the-job training with Dispatchers, SODs, and Dispatch Specialists. Additionally, Assistant Dispatchers are responsible for the following:
    • Executing ATC slot substitution programs and maintaining various operational databases.
    • Transmitting various station notifications during daily operations and ensuring that selected weather maps are faxed to stations for distribution to Flight Crews.
    • Maintaining printed weather Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) and fielding condition information for archival purposes.
    • Maintaining daily, ongoing dispatch bulletin.
Note: The information above are only examples and not exhaustive.

Assistant Dispatcher minimum qualifications:

Certificates/Ratings

  • FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate required.

Education

  • High school diploma or equivalency required.
  • College coursework or a degree preferred. ​​​​​​​

Work experience

  • One year of airline operations or related work experience with a Part 135 or Part 121-air carrier under the Code of Federal Regulations required.
  • Two to three years of FAR 121 Dispatch experience highly preferred.
  • Leadership experience preferred.

General

  • Must be at least 18 years old at the time of hire.
  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education required.​​​​​​​
  • Must have authorization to work in the U.S. as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 with no current or future sponsorship required.​​​​​​​

How to apply:

Once you meet our minimum requirements, you’ll need to apply for the Assistant Dispatcher role when it opens on our Careers page. You’re required to apply for an open position for interview consideration.

Assistant Dispatcher training:

First month: 28 days of classroom academic training 1 day of flight deck observation for Operations familiarization  Three to 24 months: Line-oriented (on the job) training Complete Supervised Operating Experience checkpoint with Dispatch Training at approximately three-month mark to determine upgrade readiness* *Upgrade readiness is determined on a case-by-case basis and operational need.  Ready for upgrade: Complete upgrade check to move from Assistant Dispatcher to Dispatcher and work the dispatch desk solo

"Two things I've always wanted to do: serve our great country, and be around airplanes."

See how Network Director, Emily E., discovered a career that let her do both.

Southwest Airplane on a tarmac at sunrise.

NOC FAQ

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