Disability Employment Success Profile: Dave Miller, Quadriplegic Flight Dispatcher

Name?
Dave Miller

Age?
53

Where you live?
New Albany, Indiana

How and when were you injured?
“Bicycle accident. July 1,2017.”

What is your level of injury?
Incomplete C3 quadriplegic

What kind of job did you do before your injury?
Aircraft Dispatcher/ Flight Control

How did you get involved in the flight control industry?
“Working the ramp for passenger carriers in my early 20’s, I learned about the job.”

Was it difficult to get into this industry or go back to it as a quadriplegic?
“I started with smaller carriers to gain experience. Eventually moved to UPS in 1994. Had to go through initial training again after my accident. I was off for 3.5 years. Training is about six months.”

What kind of job accommodation you require to be able to do your job?
“I use track pads instead of a mouse. Also, Dragon software helps when typing more than a couple words.”

Please tell us what you do in your job?
“An aircraft dispatcher is employed by an airline and is heavily involved in the pre-planning of flights to ensure the safety of the trip. They review the plane’s crew, monitor the plane in-flight, and focus on maximizing efficiency. An aircraft dispatcher’s responsibility is to conduct thorough research in order to create the flight plan for the pilot.

The basics of the flight plan will include the flight’s planned route, altitudes, airports, maximum weight, and other important variables. An aircraft dispatcher will also do a great deal of research on the weather conditions. Full flight plans will typically include weather reports, weather conditions, alternative airports in case of inclement weather, and other pertinent meteorological factors.

In addition to these responsibilities, aircraft dispatchers must also consider the fuel. They must calculate not only how much fuel is needed to reach to the flight’s destination, but how much fuel the plane needs to get to its next stop while still following FAA guidelines.”

Would you recommend this job to others with spinal cord injury? If so, why?
“I would recommend it, yes, if the school you’re going to will help you get your license and will accommodate you. UPS & Vocational Rehab helped get the equipment I needed to get back.”

Words of inspiration for others seeking employment with a disability?
“We can do anything we put our minds to. Most of the time we, as people with disabilities, have to prove able-bodied people wrong. Don’t let your disability define you and keep moving forward!”

Dave and his family