

“For someone wanting to get a foot in the door, Crew Scheduling is usually where they start,” explained Nicolle. )ĭespite the high level of importance the role carries within the company, it is considered entry-level in the industry. The benefits even extend to family members.
#FLIGHT CREW SCHEDULER FREE#
The first year, schedulers are still earning vacation time, but by swapping, they can add to their 3-days off and really enjoy their flight benefits.” (Like all airline employees, crew schedulers receive free travel on United Airlines, and deep discounts on partner airlines. “This department allows shift swaps,” Nicolle said. (Flight crews also bid for schedules, but they bid more frequently.) Shifts are bid on quarterly and distributed based on scheduler seniority within the department. The industry itself is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 a year, and that means schedulers work nights, weekends, early mornings, and holidays. “After that, we have anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks of on-the-job training, paired with a more experienced scheduler,” Nicolle said.Ĭrew Schedulers work 10-hour shifts, 4 days on followed by 3 consecutive days off.
#FLIGHT CREW SCHEDULER SOFTWARE#
The training consists of 2 weeks in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on introduction to the crew management software used by the team. “Don’t take things personally.”Įach month, CommutAir offers training sessions for new crew schedulers. “The best advice I have for them: Be like a duck,” Nicolle said. Admittedly, it can be stressful and the position isn’t for everyone. When a flight crew member calls scheduling, it’s typically because he or she has an issue that needs resolved -and a good crew scheduler is a problem-solver. Communication is key,” Nicolle explained. Our schedulers have to handle each situation firmly, but still display empathy. You talk to people on the phone, but you rarely meet them. “The flight crew is an absentee workforce. They handle all of the sick calls, schedule changes, and disruptions to operations with calm patience.Ĭustomer service is a vital skill for the role and schedulers have to remain calm under pressure. Using crew management system software, the team ensures crews are within their legal duty times, and have received appropriate rest. We restore beautiful art,” she explained. Our department puts it back together to resemble what it was. “But then, operational issues such as weather, maintenance, and call-offs destroy it. Nicolle Crabtree, senior manager of crew resources, likens the flight crew schedule to a beautiful work of art. It all happens in CommutAir’s newly remodeled Systems Operation Control center in North Olmsted (Cleveland), Ohio. Scheduling the captains, first officers, and flight attendants is a logistical puzzle that must be solved daily. and Canada, with a fleet of nearly 40 aircraft. The airline flies roughly 1,000 segments a week to more than 50 cities along the eastern coast of the U.S. The Crew Scheduling Department plays a critical role in CommutAir’s flight operations.
