What does a crew scheduler do?
In the aviation industry, a crew scheduler is in charge of overseeing and developing flight crew schedules. They are responsible for monitoring and accumulating the flying times of each crewmember, delegating responsibilities, reaching out to crewmembers in preparation of the flight registers, and selecting crew replacements while adhering to the company's policies and standards, including the aviation laws and regulations. Moreover, a crew scheduler must also handle and process vacation requests, answer inquiries, keep extensive records, and maintain an active communication line with the flight crews for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Crew scheduler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real crew scheduler resumes:
- Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
- Provide high-level administrative support in scheduling and maintaining day-to-day in-flight crew schedules, including arranging crews' flight and hotel reservations.
- Audit BOM's for accuracy.
- Arrange billeting and messing for TDY aircrew.
- Modify and build schedules utilizing Crewtrac and Apollo.
- Reassign pilots infringing upon FAA regulations or pilot CBA limitations.
- Complete production for material receive as needed using the AS400 system.
- Control WIP returning to stock any excess on floor reducing WIP dollars and days.
- Collect data, define problems to make suggestions on crew utilization and pairings used for IOE assignments.
- Interface with other departments such as dispatch, operations, travel and in-flight to ensure a smooth flow of communications.
- Select as combat crew of the month; help crew resolve electrical fire in hostile area; safely re-cover aircraft.
- Monitor all crew and pairing exceptions working directly with maintenance, dispatchers, Atlanta flight tower, gate agents and in-flight.
- Help maintain inventory accuracy and BOM integrity.
- Perform validation of MRP recommendation versus manufacturing plan.
- Communicate with crew members regarding federal regulations and CBA compliance.
Crew scheduler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Crew Schedulers are proficient in Reservations, CBA, and Schedule Changes. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Crew Schedulers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Reservations, 11%
Provided high-level administrative support in scheduling and maintaining day-to-day in-flight crew schedules, including arranging crews' flight and hotel reservations.
- CBA, 10%
Communicated with crew members regarding federal regulations and CBA compliance.
- Schedule Changes, 10%
Communicated effectively with crew members to notify schedule changes and other pertinent information.
- SOC, 10%
Charter Coordinator - Planned and coordinated Blue Moon Corporate charter flights with SOC.
- Sick Call, 8%
Interacted with crew members to process sick calls, flight cancellations, operational re- assignments, crew swaps and crew movements.
- Flight Operations, 7%
Maintained cost effective measures relative to flight operations and communicated enhancements for cost reduction to appropriate personnel.
"reservations," "cba," and "schedule changes" are among the most common skills that crew schedulers use at work. You can find even more crew scheduler responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a crew scheduler to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what crew schedulers do because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a crew scheduler resume shows how crew schedulers use communication skills: "provided communication with various departments related to flight control regarding operational changes. "
Customer-service skills. Many crew scheduler duties rely on customer-service skills. "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints.," so a crew scheduler will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways crew scheduler responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "provide customer service in soc environment to all crewmembers. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for crew schedulers to perform their duties. For an example of how crew scheduler responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a crew scheduler: "review and verify adp punch detail time report to confirm the accuracy of hours prior to submission to payroll department. ".
Math skills. crew scheduler responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This resume example shows what crew schedulers do with math skills on a typical day: "charted production schedules, using charts, based on statistics compiled for reference by production and management personnel. "
The three companies that hire the most crew schedulers are:
- Domino's Pizza58 crew schedulers jobs
- United6 crew schedulers jobs
- Atlas Air4 crew schedulers jobs
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Compare different crew schedulers
Crew scheduler vs. Material coordinator
A material coordinator is in charge of processing requisitions and ensuring that all departments receive necessary goods and materials within a company. Aside from this, they must maintain positive engagements with vendors, suppliers, and business partners, negotiate contracts, manage schedules of deliveries, and prioritize cost-efficient goods. It is also a material coordinator's responsibility to keep an accurate record of inventory, secure sensitive data, and coordinate with all departments to ensure that all transactions are efficient and precise.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between crew schedulers and material coordinator. For instance, crew scheduler responsibilities require skills such as "reservations," "cba," "schedule changes," and "soc." Whereas a material coordinator is skilled in "logistics," "customer service," "purchase orders," and "inventory control." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Material coordinators tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,571. In contrast, crew schedulers make the biggest average salary, $46,988, in the technology industry.The education levels that material coordinators earn slightly differ from crew schedulers. In particular, material coordinators are 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a crew scheduler. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Crew scheduler vs. Materials planner
Usually working in a manufacturing setting, a materials planner's role is to manage the supply flow and inventory of materials. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with vendors and other external agencies, processing purchase orders, monitoring the quality of supplies to ensure it is according to the standards, and coordinating with various teams to learn their needs. Furthermore, as a planner, it is essential to devise strategies to resolve any issues, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, crew scheduler responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "reservations," "cba," "schedule changes," and "soc." Meanwhile, a materials planner has duties that require skills in areas such as "supply chain," "mrp," "purchase orders," and "logistics." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Materials planners may earn a higher salary than crew schedulers, but materials planners earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $69,067. On the other hand, crew schedulers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $46,988.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Materials planners tend to reach similar levels of education than crew schedulers. In fact, they're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Crew scheduler vs. Inventory control lead
An Inventory Control Lead oversees supplies in an organization, aiming to meet market demands and avoid oversupply. They perform regular inspections and assessments, review invoices and other documentation, monitor product distribution operations, and produce regular progress reports. It is their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolve them promptly, and efficiently maintain smooth workflow operations. Moreover, an Inventory Control Lead manages different teams, encouraging them to reach goals while implementing company policies and guidelines.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a crew scheduler is likely to be skilled in "reservations," "cba," "schedule changes," and "soc," while a typical inventory control lead is skilled in "logistics," "inventory adjustments," "physical inventory," and "inventory cycle counts."
Inventory control leads make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $55,732. On the other hand, crew schedulers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $46,988.When it comes to education, inventory control leads tend to earn similar degree levels compared to crew schedulers. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Crew scheduler vs. Inventory coordinator
An inventory coordinator specializes in overseeing the supply flow of materials in a warehouse or similar setting. It is their responsibility to manage and handle the inventory, ensuring that the quantity and quality of materials align with company standards. Moreover, they are also responsible for assessing staff's performance, coordinating with different employees to ensure the accuracy of services, gathering and organizing data, maintaining records of transactions, and responding to any inquiries or concerns. As an inventory coordinator, it is essential to devise strategies for optimal performance, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Types of crew scheduler
Updated January 8, 2025
