Airline Non-flying Careers Overview

General Information

Even though the airlines are in business to transport people from one place to another, they could not function without the help of many people on the ground, including those who take reservations and sell tickets, as well as those who help keep the airplanes operating on schedule.

In general, most airline jobs require a high school diploma. All workers, regardless of their jobs, are given some degree of on-the-job training. Some private technical schools offer courses in airline operations (such as reservations, ticketing, teletypist and flight attendant training). This training may give an applicant an advantage, but remember that each airline has its own training procedures. Therefore, you should check with the airline to which you are applying to find out what pre-employment training it requires.  The Applicant Portal Section of our services provides complete job descriptions and requirements for all open positions.

The airline industry is a dynamic industry indeed. It has become the major provider of public transportation for Americans traveling between the nation's cities. In fact, scheduled airlines now account for 92 percent of public passenger intercity travel. Career opportunities with the airlines vary widely. For some jobs, a small amount of training is needed; for others, college degrees are required. In between these extremes are dozens of jobs calling for different types of education, skills, and personal characteristics. The working conditions, wages, opportunities for advancement, and requirements for entry are briefly described on this page. Information about airline pilots, flight engineers, flight attendants, and aviation mechanics is omitted since these positions are discussed in other areas of the web site in the Aviation Careers Series.

Salaries, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement vary according to the size of the airline. The larger the airline, the greater the opportunities and the stiffer the competition. Scheduled airlines of the United States range in size from those with two stations and fewer than 50 employees to those with over 100 locations and more than 100,000 employees.

U.S. international airlines fly to foreign airports through-out the world; major domestic carriers span the continent, connecting large population centers. A number of these major airlines also fly over international waters to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. In recent years the number of regional airlines with service to small communities has expanded. Then there are the all-cargo airlines, some of which provide overnight delivery of letters and packages.

In general, most airline jobs require a high school diploma. All workers, regardless of their jobs, receive on-the-job training. Some private technical schools offer courses in airline operations such as reservations, ticketing, teletyping, and flight attendant work. This training may give an applicant an advantage, but, the airlines have their own training procedures, so interested applicants should check with the airline of their choice to see what pre-employment training is required.

The airline industry updates its equipment and working methods periodically, which makes it necessary for personnel to be retrained from time to time. Few industries are so involved with employee training programs. The airline industry gives employees new skills at the company s expense and keeps them abreast of new equipment techniques. Whether the job is that of a pilot, mechanic, flight attendant, baggage handler, ticket sales agent, or a manager, periodic training is mandatory. These large training programs provide opportunities for employees to advance to jobs on training staffs.

Employees enjoy benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, life insurance, dental insurance, group accident and sickness insurance, retirement income plans, credit union membership for savings and loan purposes, and free air travel or air travel at greatly reduced rates for employees and members of their families. In addition, they often receive large discounts for travel on international airlines and for hotel accommodations at holiday destinations. Employee suggestion programs with cash awards are another benefit.

Promotions are almost always made from within the company. Usually vacancies are filled by advancing the best-qualified workers from the ranks. Merit promotions are made periodically on the basis of the employees work. Shift work is a characteristic of many jobs with the airlines; passengers and cargo travel all hours of the day and night, and passenger and air cargo services must be available. Dissatisfaction with shift work is the most common cause of job turnover, even though hourly wages are increased for workers on afternoon and evening shifts. Smoking on the job is prohibited for those who deal with the public or those who clean, fuel, or overhaul the aircraft.

All personnel who have direct contact with the public or who need special clothing for utility or sanitary reasons (cleaners, mechanics, and kitchen workers) must wear uniforms. Employees are usually required to purchase their own uniforms; this requirement reduces the amount of personal clothing for working hours that is needed.

Airline jobs are located in every city that airlines serve and even in a few they do not serve. Of course, the larger the city, the greater the variety of job opportunities. The largest concentrations of airline career opportunities are in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. An applicant may obtain career information by writing directly to the airline. Foreign airlines flying into the United States hire Americans to handle their passenger and air cargo business and to service their aircraft during stopovers. These employment opportunities should not be overlooked.

The airline industry is a young industry, and it attracts youth. Morale is generally high among employees, who seem to develop a high degree of loyalty to their company and to the airline industry. (There are exceptions. After buyouts and mergers, employees often feel that the incoming management has disregarded their needs.) Jobs with the airlines tend to carry an aura of prestige in the community, reflecting the vitality of technological progress and the romance and excitement associated with air travel and faraway places.

Briefly described below are many of the jobs that must be filled to keep the planes flying.

Instructor

The airlines' excellent safety record is largely because of the first-rate training they provide. To keep up the proficiency of flight crews and ground personnel who have direct contact with the airplanes, powerplants, and flight techniques, the airlines employ several thousand people. Typical training jobs are ground school instructor, flight attendant instructor, and flight simulator/duplicator operator. The instructors direct the pre-service and in-service training programs of the airline. Educators are also employed as curriculum/program developers.

Engineer

In line with their particular engineering specialty, engineers work closely with aircraft manufacturers to develop new models of airliners. They make sure the requirements of the airline are met concerning performance, aircraft accessories, cabin plan, interior decorations, and extra equipment. They also design improvements to aircraft and to methods of servicing and over-hauling them.

Flight Dispatcher

In cooperation with the pilot, the flight dispatcher furnishes a flight plan that enables the aircraft to arrive at its destination on schedule with the maximum payload and the least operating cost. The flight dispatcher considers en route and destination weather, winds aloft, alternate destinations, fuel required, altitudes, and traffic flow. The dispatcher's signature, along with that of the pilot, releases the aircraft for flight. The dispatcher maintains a constant watch on all flights dispatched and is the go-between for the pilot and ground service personnel. He or she keeps all personnel concerned with the flight informed about its status. The dispatcher must be familiar with navigation facilities over airline routes and at airports as well as with the takeoff, cruising, and landing characteristics of all aircraft operated by the airline. The flight dispatcher also must ride periodically in the cockpit with the flight crew to observe flight routes, conditions, and airports.

Working Conditions

Flight dispatchers work indoors at the airport in the airline operations office. They use computers, calculators, weather charts and information, and loading re-ports. A 40-hour week with shift work is normal.

Flight dispatchers frequently work under pressure, especially when flying weather is bad. They must make many rapid decisions concerning safety, flight regulations, and the economy of operations. These employees are surrounded by people, teletype machines, telephones, and intercom systems in a noisy, busy atmosphere. Those who work for a small airline, carry on the duties of a meteorologist and schedule coordinator.

Wages

Salaries start around $25,000 per year and increase, over a ten-year employment period, to about $49,000.

Opportunities for Advancement

Flight dispatchers can move into this position from jobs as dispatch clerks, junior flight dispatchers, radio operators, meteorologists, or station managers. Large airlines employ senior dispatchers who specialize in coordinating the finances of every flight. Promotion is from within. Experience as an airline dispatcher may be used in qualifying for a job as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration or as an airport director.

Requirements for the Job

Though a college degree with a major in air transportation or meteorology is useful preparation for work as a flight dispatcher, experience is equally important. Job applicants must have good vision, hearing, enunciation, and an FAA dispatcher's license. They must know thoroughly the Federal Aviation Regulations on airline operations and be competent in airline communications and meteorology.

Meteorologist

The meteorologist analyzes weather data and prepares weather reports for the flight dispatcher, pilots, and other airline personnel concerned with weather information. He or she assists the flight dispatcher in preparing flight plans.

Working Conditions

Working indoors at the airport in the airline operations office, the meteorologist uses weather facsimile machines, teletype machines, computer terminals, weather charts, and other meteorological data. Shift work is required, and the normal work week is 40 hours.

Wages

Airlines, depending upon their size, pay between $28,000 and $47,000 per year as a starting wage. For meteorologists employed by the Federal Government, those with a bachelor's degree but no experience receive starting salaries ranging from $ 17,000 to $22,000, depending on college performance. For master's degrees, stating wages range from $21,000 to $27,300 and Ph.D.'s from $25,700 to $33,400.

Opportunities for Advancement

A meteorologist with a large airline, may be promoted to chief meteorologist or take a position as an assistant flight dispatcher. The employee may also use this experience to become a meteorologist for the National Weather Service or for a private meteorology service.

Requirements for the Job

A college degree with a major in meteorology is required. It is common to gain prior experience with military weather services or with the National Weather Service as a meteorological technician or meteorologist.

Schedule Coordinator

The schedule coordinator keeps track of the whereabouts of aircraft and crews; receives and relays reports of delays due to weather and mechanical problems; estimates times of arrival; gives orders for substitution of aircraft when required, and handles the scheduling problems that arise when flights must be diverted to alternate airports. The schedule coordinator makes decisions affecting the seating arrangements of planes, turnarounds, estimated times of arrival, and unscheduled stops. He or she also determines aircraft availability, based on servicing and maintenance requirements. In scheduling crews, the schedule coordinator must consider many factors: sick calls, vacations, days off, flight hour limits, types of aircraft for which a crew is trained, and seniority bids or choices of flights selected by crew members.

Working Conditions

The airline operations office at the airport is a very busy place. The schedule coordinator is surrounded by banks of phones, teletype machines, computers, and charts. The pressure of the job can be intense. A 40-hour work week, with shift work, is normal.

Wages

Annual wages range from $14,400 to $36,000, depending upon the size of the airline.

Opportunities for Advancement

The schedule coordinator, after starting as a clerk with responsibilities in one or two areas, can advance to assistant schedule coordinator, senior schedule coordinator, and then chief of schedule control. He or she also may work up to a position in the dispatcher's office as general dispatch clerk or an operations planner.

Requirements for the Job

A college degree with a major in air transport operations is useful preparation, but it is not mandatory.

The following positions are all similar with slight variations in the duties performed. These positions work directly with the public inside the airport facility itself.

Ticket Agent

The ticket agent answers inquiries about flight schedules and fares, verifies reservations by phone, figures fares, writes tickets, and handles payments. Agents who work at an air terminal ticket counter may check in passengers' baggage. The Ticket Agent is most often the first employee the passenger meets after entering the airport. They assist passengers in:

• The purchase of tickets
• Seat assignment
• Directions to the gate
• Baggage check in
• And other duties very similar to that of the Reservation Sales Agent

The Ticket Agent must be able to lift checked baggage which can weigh up to one hundred pounds. The Ticket Agent is similar to the Reservation Sales Agent although this a highly visible position and usually requires a uniform. The ticket counter usually operates 24 hours at the airport, and offers a wide variety of work schedules. Ticket counters are located in every city in which the airline serves.

The ticket agent answers inquiries about flight schedules and fares, verifies reservations by phone, figures fares, writes tickets, and handles payments. Other duties may include checking baggage, making boarding announcements, and assisting handicapped passengers when they board or depart the plane. Telephone and computer equipment are used.

Working Conditions

The agent may work at an airport or at an airline ticket office downtown or in a hotel. Shift work is necessary, and most airlines require ticket agents to wear uniforms.

Wages

Wages range from $1,500 to $2,600 per month, plus additional pay for late shift work.

Opportunities for Advancement

A ticket agent may be promoted to passenger service agent, station agent, or chief of the ticket office. He or she also may become a ticketing instructor, or join the airline staff as a sales representative. Superior employees are often considered for junior management training.

Requirements for the Job

The minimum age varies from 18 to 20 years, depending on the airline. Graduation from high school is a minimum requirement; however, two years of college or the equivalent experience in dealing with the public is preferred. Good grooming, respect for accuracy, a pie as-ant and courteous manner, and legible handwriting are important. International airlines may require foreign language ability. On-the-job training is offered.

Station Agent

The Station Agent works the arrival and departure gates. This is most often the second employee the passenger meets after entering the airport, and venturing down the concourse. The Station Agent assists the passenger in:

• Additional check-in requirements
• Seat assignments
• Boarding, arrival, and departure announcements
• Gate-checked baggage
• Answering questions and offering information on airline and airport related topics

The Station Agent is similar to the Ticket Agent, although they do not actually sell tickets. This is also a highly visible position, and usually requires a uniform. The gate area of some airports operate 24 hours, and offer a wide variety of work schedules. The arrival and departure gates are located in the concourse area of every airport that particular airline serves.

The station manager or agent is responsible for all flight and ground operations such as aircraft handling, passenger services, and air cargo operations for the airline at a particular airport. At a small station, the manager may be required to sell tickets, make public announcements, check baggage, move portable stairs, prepare passenger and air cargo manifests, operate teletype machines and computer terminals, and perform other services.

Working Conditions

Usually the station manager works in an office at the airport, although sometimes he or she may work outdoors, depending upon the size of the airport and the staff. Shift work is required during a 40-hour week.

Wages

Annual wages start at $12,000 per year and increase to about $31,000 after 10 years, depending upon the size of the airline.

Station Manager

Sometimes known as the district operations manager, the station manager or agent is responsible for all flight and ground operations, such as aircraft handling, passenger services, and air cargo operations. At a small station, the manager may sell tickets, make public announcements, check in baggage, move portable boarding stairs, prepare passenger and air cargo manifests, operate teletype machines and computer terminals, and perform other needed services.

Reservations Sales Agent

The reservations sales agent handles telephone inquiries about flight schedules, fares, and connecting flights, and he or she reserves seats and cargo space for customers. The reservations sales agent must be able to operate computerized reservations equipment, keep records of reservations, and recommend services that fit customers' requirements. Reservation Sales Agents typically deal with the public through telephone inquiries. Their duties include answering questions and offering information on:

• Ticket sales/bookings
• Flight schedules
• Seat availability
• Fares
• Transporting animals
• Airline policies
• Government regulations
• Departure and arrival times
• Tours
• Car rental
• Hotel accommodations
• Routes scheduled by other airlines
• And more...

The Reservation Sales Agent answers calls on the only published telephone number available to the public. This position usually does not require a uniform, and operates 24 hours, thus offering a wide variety of work schedules. These sales centers may or may not be located near an airport, and most airlines have numerous centers located throughout the United States, and abroad. This position is generally never seen by the traveling public, however strong communication and telephone skills are necessary. The typical starting salary range is approximately five to ten dollars per hour.

Each year millions of Americans travel by air. Their trips are made easier by professionally trained reservation sales agents. They handle telephone inquiries about flight schedules, fares, and connecting flights; reserve seats and cargo space for customers; operate computerized reservations equipment; and keep records of reservations. Agents must be able to recommend services that fit each customer's requirements, and they must be familiar with routes and schedules of other airlines.

Working Conditions

Reservation agents usually work in large central offices answering customers' telephone inquiries and booking flights. Most agents have access to computer terminals and, by typing instructions on the keyboard, can quickly obtain the necessary information and make the reservation.

The transportation industry operates at all hours of the day and night, thus schedules are often irregular. Agents with the least seniority often work nights, weekends, and holidays. Although the work is not physically strenuous, some employees may feel stress, especially during busy periods of holiday travel or at times when the computer systems fail. If operations are interrupted or delayed due to inclement weather or mechanical problems, agents may serve as buffers between the airlines and their customers. Trying to pacify angry travelers also can create stress. The job, however, is interesting, and many challenges occur as the reservations sales agent works out the passenger's travel requirements.

Wages

Some 54,000 reservations sales agents work for the airlines, with starting salaries at $ 12,064 going up to $38,600 for supervisors.

Opportunities for Advancement

A reservations sales agent may advance to training or supervisory positions. Supervisors monitor how other agents handle customers' inquiries. The handling of "executive accounts" and the accounts of firms with special "vacation packages" offered by the airline are jobs reserved for the more experienced and higher paid agents. The employee may transfer to a job of ticket agent. Reservations work is a principal route to a management position for the persistent worker since turnover, due to shift work, is high. Promotion opportunities are frequent.

Requirements for the Job

Applicants must have graduated from high school and be at least 18 to 20 years of age, depending on the airline. One or two years of training in airline operations at schools offering such courses, or experience in public telephone contact work, is preferred. Airlines offer on-the-job training. Accuracy and speed on the job are essential. A good telephone voice, proper English usage, and the ability to "project" oneself over the phone are necessary. Today experience with computers and computer programs specifically geared to reservations is often required. At least one year of prior experience in public relations work, preferably in sales, is needed. College may be considered as a substitute for prior work experience. Applicants must be willing to work shifts. Air cargo reservations agents may need some experience in shipping operations.

Ground Attendant

High public visibility characterizes this job. The ground attendant assists passengers in the terminal in many different ways. For example, the ground attendant answers questions about fares, helps locate lost baggage, explains missed connections, and provides assistance to persons who are ill or in need of a wheelchair.

The ground attendant assists passengers in the terminal with their questions about fares, lost baggage, missed connections, and other problems. Passengers who are ill or need a wheelchair are helped by the ground attendant. High public visibility characterizes the job.

Working Conditions

The work involves considerable standing and walking inside the air terminal. Shift work is required, and a uniform must be worn.

Wages

Wages range from $ 1,500 to $2,700 per month.

Opportunities for Advancement

A ground attendant may advance to trainer, supervisor, or chief of counter sales.

Requirements for the Job

The minimum age varies from 18 to 22, depending on the airline. Applicants must be high school graduates. Business experience or training in airline operations at schools offering such courses are sometimes required. On-the-job training is given. A ground attendant may be required to work at the ticket counter in the terminal. Therefore, foreign language ability is helpful at international airports.

Teletypist

The teletypist operates teletype machines that send, receive, and distribute messages. He or she works in the airline's operations office or in other offices where teletype equipment is used.

This employee sends and receives messages on teletype machines, relays the messages to the proper departments and to other stations on the airline's routes, and files them as required.

Working Conditions

The teletypist works indoors at the airport in the airline operations office or in other offices where teletype machines are used. Shift work is required during a 40-hour work week.

Wages

Wages are from $ 12,600 to $28,800 per year, depending upon the size of the airline.

Opportunities for Advancement

A teletypist can advance to a supervisory position.

Requirements for the Job

A high school graduate is preferred. Training in teletype operations and procedures is desirable. The teletypist must be able to type at least 40 words per minute and must know the codes and symbols used in airline communications.

Skycap

Skycap help passengers with baggage and answers their questions about departures, arrivals, and terminal facilities. Skycaps assist passengers to and from taxis, buses, and cars, and they may check in baggage at the terminal entrance. At many air terminals, the Skycap are employed by the airport rather than by the airlines.

Working Conditions

Skycap work inside the air terminal and outdoors. They must wear a uniform. Shift work is required. Skycap lift and carry heavy luggage, and they handle baggage hand-carts in the terminal.

Wages

Wages range from $ 1,100 to $2,100 per month. Skycap receive tips, which can be considerable if numerous passengers use the terminal and the Skycap is helpful and outgoing.

Opportunities for Advancement

Skycap may advance to the position of supervisor of skycap or to a sales representative.

Requirements for the Job

A high school graduate is preferred. The minimum age is 18 to 21, depending on the airline. Applicants must like to help people and be physically strong. On-the-job training is available. One airline fills this job from the ranks of ramp service persons.

Air Freight Agent

Air freight agents receive air freight shipments, supervise loading and unloading, and keep written records. They handle contacts with air freight forwarders and customers, and they use telephones, computers, and hand calculators to do their jobs.

Working Conditions

The work is done indoors in an office adjacent to the air freight terminal. Telephones, computers, and hand calculators are used. Shift work is required.

Wages

Wages generally run from $ 1,250 to $2,600 per month, but some agents earn considerably more.

Opportunities for Advancement

An airfreight or cargo agent may advance to the position of ramp service planner or supervisor of air freight handlers. He or she also may join the air freight sales staff or air cargo management staff.

Requirements for the Job

A high school graduate with experience in shipping operations is preferred. Applicants must like to work with records and be detail-oriented. Physical strength is also required.

Passenger Service Agent

The Passenger Service Agent (PSA) responds to passengers needing special assistance because of over-sold flights or missed connections, for example. He or she may help with the boarding or deplaning of passengers and also may perform the duties of ticket agent and/or station agent. The Passenger Service Agent acts as a ground hosts or hostess. The PSA is highly visible and helpful to the public. They answer questions and offer information covering a wide variety of airline and/or airport related topics. In addition to providing information, they tend to the passenger needing assistance (injured, ill, handicapped, elderly passengers and small children traveling alone) in every way possible. This may include helping these passengers pass through the airport from the ticket counter to boarding, and every step in between:

• Passenger check-in
• Ticket pick up
• Security checks
• Electric carts or wheel chairs to expedite or ease movement through long concourses
• Boarding announcements
• Public announcements
• Deplaning announcements
• Connecting flight information
• Direction assistance
• Assist Station Agents
• Handling unruly, upset, or angry passengers

The PSA is a highly visible employee, and usually wears uniform of some type. Their typical work location is on the concourse of the airline they serve. Passenger Service Agents are present anytime passengers are present, and generally supervise and assist in concourse operations to ensure smooth operation and customer satisfaction. The PSA must be knowledgeable of all airline procedures and policies to instill customer confidence, show genuine concern, and help operations run as tranquil as possible.

The passenger service agent responds to abnormal conditions-passengers needing special assistance, oversold flights, missed connections, heavy passenger concentrations-to expedite loading or unloading of passengers. He or she may also perform the duties of ticket agent and supervise the ticket office.

Working Conditions

The passenger service agent wears a uniform and works at the air terminal. Shift work is required. A wide variety of challenges characterizes this job.

Wages

The salary ranges from $1,500 to $2,600 per month.

Opportunities for Advancement

Qualified, dedicated workers can advance to various managerial positions. The job of a passenger service agent is excellent training for subsequent work in sales, customer service, and flight operations departments.

Requirements for the Job

High school graduation is a minimum requirement. A thorough knowledge of flight schedules and ground services is necessary. On-the-job training is normally provided. If employed by an international airline, the passenger service agent may need to know a foreign language. Experience as a ticket or reservations agent is helpful.

Sales Representative

Sales representatives or account executives explain to prospective customers the advantages of their company's service for travel and shipment of cargo. They also maintain contact with travel agencies, businesses, and educational institutions, as well as with other airlines to increase interline sales. Sometimes they make hotel reservations for customers. A knowledge of flight and fare schedules is essential.

Working Conditions

Sales representatives work business hours and wear business attire.

Wages

Salary ranges from $15,000 to $33,000 per year.

Opportunities for Advancement

Sales representatives may advance to the position of district sales manager.

Requirements for the Job

A college degree with courses in air transport management is desired. Applicants must be aggressive, yet personable. They must show initiative and be willing to relocate. The ability to speak persuasively and convincingly is necessary. International airlines may require foreign language ability. Courses in psychology, public speaking, and salesmanship are helpful. On-the-job training is provided. NOTE: Some airlines hire college students for training in sales promotion during the summer vacation. On their return to college, the students become campus representatives for the airline, contacting other students and faculty members to acquaint them with the airline's special service and holiday opportunities. These part-time jobs often lead to full-time employment in sales positions after the students graduate from college.

District Sales Manager

The district sales manager is in charge of the city ticket and reservations sales offices in the area. To promote air traffic and sales of airline seats and cargo space, the sales manager maintains contacts with many prospective customers and directs the activities of sales personnel. He or she makes many contacts with people to promote air traffic and sales of airline seats and cargo space. The sales manager directs the activities of other sales personnel.

Working Conditions

The district sales manager works in a downtown office during regular business hours. To promote the airline, he or she also must attend many meetings and social affairs "after hours."

Wages

The salary ranges from $23,000 to $50,000 per year.

Opportunities for Advancement

The district sales manager may advance to a larger district with a corresponding increase in responsibilities and salary. He or she might work up to a top job as "Vice President-Sales."

Requirements for the Job

This is not an entry-level job. Vacancies are almost always filled by employees who move through the ranks.

Ramp Service Personnel

There are various types of ramp personnel.

Wages

Wages range from $7.00 to $15.00 per hour, with extra pay for late afternoon and night shifts.

Opportunities for Advancement

Depending on the ramp size of the airline and agreements with the employees' unions, ramp service persons may become leaders and supervisors of the crews in their own work areas. From the lowest paying jobs, such as cleaners of the cabin and exterior of the aircraft, diligent employees can work their way up to higher paying jobs, such as baggage handlers, drivers, and aircraft fuellers. With experience at a variety of ramp service jobs, workers with administrative abilities may be promoted to ramp planner.

Requirements for the Job

A high school diploma is normally required and the minimum age is 18 to 21, depending on the airline. Ramp service persons who drive trucks, buses, fork trucks, towing tractors, and similar equipment must have a driver's license. A chauffeur's license may also be required.

Good physical health and strength are necessary for baggage and air cargo handlers. On-the-job training is given when new equipment is put into service or when better methods of accomplishing a job are developed.

Exterior of Aircraft

This ramp serviceperson washes, polishes, touches up paint, and de-ices the exterior of the aircraft. Chemicals are used to prevent corrosion of surfaces.

Working Conditions

Ramp service persons sponges, brushes, mops, and hoses to clean the outside of planes. They must stand on scaffolding or ride special lift equipment to reach high places. Although usually in a hangar, they sometimes work outdoors. The heaviest work schedules are at night, when most aircraft are not in service. Shift work is required, and work is done frequently under pressure of time. Uniforms must be worn.

Driver

This job category includes drivers of food trucks, mobile stairs, employees' buses, messenger cars, conveyors, cleaning equipment, aircraft air conditioning and power carts, and other equipment.

These employees drive equipment to the aircraft and operate machinery used to load and off-load food containers, galley units, and other kinds of equipment. They attach and detach ground air conditioning and power carts, move stairs, or drive employee buses between airline facilities at the airport. They are usually on a regular work schedule.

Working Conditions

Drivers wear uniforms and work shifts. They spend their time outdoors on noisy ramps in all weather conditions. They must use extreme care in positioning equipment near aircraft.

Cabin Serviceperson

The cabin serviceperson cleans the airplane and cockpit between flights. Particular duties include vacuuming the floor, picking up trash, washing lavatories and buffets, replacing headrests and pillow covers, folding blankets, refilling seat packets with magazines and safety information, refilling the drinking water supply, and cleaning the cockpit windows. Other service persons are responsible for the exterior of the aircraft. They wash, polish, touch up paint, and de-ice the outside of the airplane. They also work with chemicals that are used to prevent corrosion of surfaces.

The cabin serviceperson cleans the airplane and cockpit between flights. He or she vacuums the floor, picks up trash, washes lavatories and buffets, replaces headrests and pillow covers, folds blankets, refills seat packets, refills drinking water supply, and cleans the cockpit windows.

Working Conditions

this employee uses cleaning equipment and must work at a fast pace and in cramped area with a team of workers. The job often must be completed within 10 or 15 minutes allowed before the plane loads passengers. There is shift work, and uniforms must be worn.

Baggage and Air Cargo Handler

The baggage and air cargo handler loads and unloads baggage, air mail, air express, and air cargo shipments. He or she operates baggage tugs, conveyors, fork lifts, and other baggage and air freight handling equipment. The Baggage Handler is responsible for loading and unloading baggage. They may lift heavy luggage, mail sacks, and fasten freight under pressure and time. They use trucks, forklifts, baggage carts, and conveyors to load aircraft in a safe and cautious manner. These materials are loaded in the baggage compartments (belly) of the aircraft. Almost all work is done outdoors and uniforms are required for security purposes. These employees work on arriving and departing aircraft which provides a varying work schedule in accordance to the airlines flight schedule. Training is usually done on the job. The average starting salary is five to twelve dollars per hour.

The baggage and air cargo handler loads and unloads baggage, air mail, air express, and air cargo shipments. He or she drives baggage tractors and operates conveyors, fork lifts, fork trucks, and other baggage and airfreight-handling equipment. Machinery also is used to sort and route baggage and air cargo to and from various flights.

Working Conditions

This ramp serviceperson works outdoors on noisy, crowded ramps in all kinds of weather. He or she must do considerable lifting and moving of baggage, mail sacks, and air express shipments and pushing and positioning of air cargo. Shift work is required, and a uniform must be worn.

Aircraft Fueller

The aircraft fueller operates the fueling equipment. This employee may fill a fuel truck and deliver the fuel to aircraft. Other ramp personnel drive food trucks, mobile stairs, employees' buses, messenger cars, and conveyors. They also may transport cleaning equipment, aircraft air conditioning, and power carts.

Working Conditions

The aircraft fueller works outdoors in all kinds of weather with potentially hazardous aviation gasoline and kerosene. Shift work is required, and a uniform must be worn. To reach the fuel tank openings, the aircraft fueller may need to climb up and walk along the wings of the aircraft. Strict safety rules must be observed.

Ramp Planner

The ramp planner keeps track of arriving aircraft and dispatches service units, cleaners, fuellers, baggage handlers, and food service trucks. He or she must know flight schedules.

Working Conditions

These employees work indoors at the airport, using charts, telephones, teletype machines, and computer terminals. Shift work is necessary. They work as a team with other planners.

Wages

Wages range from $ 18,000 to $31,200 per year.

Opportunities for Advancement

Workers may advance to junior positions on the flight operations management staff or on the administrative staff of an airport director.

Requirements for the Job

A high school diploma is required and the minimum age is 20 to 25, depending on the airline. The position of ramp planner is not an entry-level job; experience as a ramp serviceperson is usually necessary.

Cabin Maintenance Mechanic

The cabin maintenance mechanic cleans and paints interiors of aircraft during periodic major overhauls; removes and installs carpets, seats, curtains, and bulkheads; and reupholsters seats. He or she also overhauls and cleans electrical equipment in cabins, such as lights, buffets, and coffee-makers.

The position of cabin maintenance mechanic is not to be confused with the position of airframe and powerplant mechanic. The cabin maintenance mechanic cleans and paints interiors of aircraft during periodic major overhauls; removes and installs carpets, seats, curtains, and bulkheads; and reupholsters seats. He or she overhauls and cleans electrical equipment in cabins, such as lights, buffets, and coffee makers.

Working Conditions

In hangar shops, the cabin maintenance mechanic stitches upholstery and curtains on sewing machines. He or she also uses other tools associated with upholstery, rug laying, installation of seats, electrical maintenance of cabin service equipment, and sheet metal work. Work must be completed on schedule. Shift work is necessary, and uniforms may be required.

Wages

Wages range from $10.00 to $17.00 per hour.

Opportunities for Advancement

The employee may advance to leader, assistant supervisor of cabin maintenance, and then to supervisor.

Requirements for the Job

A high school diploma is required. Technical or vocational school training in the various mechanical skills is usually required. A worker may specialize in one kind of job.

Food Service Employee

The food service employees follow set recipes to prepare and cook food. They arrange silverware and dishes on serving trays and food items in serving dishes. They place food in either hot or refrigerated containers for pickup and delivery to the aircraft. They receive and clean soiled dishes.

(Cooks, Bakers, Pantry, Dining Service, and Kitchen Helpers)

Food service employees follow set recipes to prepare and cook food. They also arrange silverware and dishes on serving trays and put food items in serving dishes. They place the food in either hot or refrigerated containers for pickup and delivery to the aircraft. Food service employees also receive and clean soiled dishes.

Working Conditions

They work in a flight kitchen at the airport. Work must be completed according to flight schedules. The kitchen is a busy, noisy place. Shift work is required, and uniforms must be worn.

Wages

Wages range from $6.00 to $9.00 per hour, plus extra pay for late afternoon and night shifts.

Opportunities for Advancement

A food service employee may advance to the position of pantry worker, steward chef, supervisor, chief chef, assistant buyer, or commissary chief.

Requirements for the Job

High school graduation is desired. The minimum age requirement is 18 to 20, depending on the airline. All workers must have health certificates. A respect for cleanliness and good housekeeping procedures is mandatory. Chefs and cooks must have previous experience in food preparation, on-the-job training is given for all other kitchen workers. Food service employees must be willing to work shifts.

Auto Mechanic

The auto mechanic services and repairs ground service equipment, such as portable stairs, fuel and food trucks, towing tractors, and employee buses.

Working Conditions

Repairs are made indoors in a garage or outdoors on the ramp. The duties are those usually associated with an auto mechanic. The normal work week is 40 hours.

Wages

The annual salary range is from $18,000 at the entry level to $45,000 for supervisors and those with high seniority.

Engineers

The engineer works closely with aircraft manufacturers during the development of new models of airliners. His or her job is to make sure the requirements of the airline are met as to performance, aircraft accessories, cabin plan, interior decorations, extra equipment, etc. The engineer also designs improvements to aircraft and to methods of servicing and overhauling them.

Working Conditions

Most of the work is performed indoors in an office, but sometimes the engineer must visit hangars and maintenance shops for consultations and inspections. Frequent travel to aircraft manufacturing plants may be necessary. Or the engineer may be required to live in the area where the aircraft are being constructed; upon completion of the planes, they would then move to the airline headquarters.

Wages

The average starting salary is approximately $25,000.

Opportunities for Advancement

An engineer may be advanced to a job supervising junior engineers or to a top position as vice president for engineering or maintenance.

Requirements for the Job

A college degree with a major in an engineering field related to air transportation is required. Previous experience and a graduate degree are desirable.

Instructors

(Ground School Instructor, Flight Attendant Instructor, Flight Simulator/Duplicator Operator)

An important factor in maintaining the airlines' excel-lent safety record is their training effort. Several thousand people are employed to maintain the proficiency of flight crews and ground personnel engaged in direct contact with the airplane, powerplants, and flight techniques. Instructors direct the pre-service and in-service training programs of the airline. For example, they make certain that the pilots keep up their instrument flying proficiency. The use of flight simulators and other ground training devices is supervised by an instructor. Educators are also employed as curriculum and program developers. Technical support is provided by craft workers who develop training aids for use by the instructors in the airlines' classrooms.

Wages

Salaries range from $1,000 to $3,000 per month, depending upon the tasks performed.

Opportunities for Advancement

Instructors may advance to executive positions in the training department.

Requirements for the Job

Instructors can qualify, in some instances, on the basis of two years of airline employment, plus supervised teaching experience in a specialty. Those who instruct by means of a ground training device are required to understand how to maintain and repair that device. Familiarity and experience with electronic equipment are helpful.

Administrative personnel

In addition to the previously described jobs, airlines employ thousands of receptionists, typists, secretaries, stenographers, mail and file clerks, and computer personnel, as well as people in managerial positions such as training, public relations, publications, finance, personnel, and other kinds of work associated with business and industry. Salaries are generally above the average paid by industry and business.

Professional Personnel

Professional job opportunities within the airlines today break down into the following categories: architects, aeronautical research scientists, engineers, drafters, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and instructors. Intensive education and specialized training are required to perform many of these jobs. The salaries are among the highest paid to airline employees. The personal qualifications are the same as those required of similar professionals in other fields. The salaries of airline professionals are among the highest paid to airline employees.

The importance of professionalism, appearance, courtesy, and speed are immeasurable for these positions. The starting salary ranges from five to twelve dollars per hour. Raises and promotions are usually based on annual reviews or when positions become available. Upward mobility from these positions can lead to other positions within the company such as:

• Trainer
• Supervisor
• Sales Representative
• System Support Representative
• Employment Recruiter
• Flight Dispatcher
• Frequent Flyer Coordinator
• Lateral movement within the company (Department or Location transfers)

Excepting drafters, instructors, and nurses, professional personnel should be college graduates with postgraduate training and experience, each in a field of specialization. Drafters usually can substitute four years of work experience for formal training at the college level. Nurses must be registered.

Outlook For The Future

The deregulation of the airline industry, which began in the mid- 1970's, greatly changed the way the airlines operated. Existing airlines exercised their new found freedom by expanding some routes and discarding others. Many new airlines, mostly regionals, appeared on the scene. All of the carriers could raise or lower their fares at will-a privilege they had not enjoyed in the past-resulting in promotional fares and other marketing activities that induced many more people to fly.

The overall result has been an expansion of the airline industry and a surge in hiring in most job categories. However, there is a down side: the industry has become less stable. Some airlines have merged, and others have gone out of business entirely, causing a dislocation of employees.

All things considered, the outlook for the airline industry is good. Scheduled airlines now account for 92 percent of the public passenger travel between the nation's cities and more than 95 percent of the travel between the United States and points overseas. Continued growth of the airline business is likely. The economic health of the airlines, however, is directly related to the economic strength of the country as a whole, as well as to outside influences such as the cost of fuel.

An Airline Station Manager Talks About His Job

Gary King is the Cincinnati Station Manager for Comair, Inc., one of the Delta Connection regional airlines. He supervises the 300 people who staff the Comair station at Greater Cincinnati International Airport.

"My career started with TWA here in Cincinnati. You might say at the bottom. I started as a ramp agent. During my tenure with TWA, I had exposure to ramp positions, fueling aircraft and handling air cargo. I received several promotions and eventually was transferred to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where I Was put in charge of the airfreight department. We had something like 280 people in that area at the time, but international economic conditions caused a downturn in the airfreight business; it went into a demise, you might say, and so did all the positions. I was furloughed."

"So I Put my job search into gear. I answered an ad in the Chicago Tribune. Comair was seeking a manager-ironically ,for me -for the Cincinnati area. I was pretty familiar with the airport and with many of the airport managers and administration offices, and had a pretty good background. I interviewed for the position and was hired."

"Basically, the station managers job is administrative. I deal with station operations - the passenger aspects, ground service, equipment, and fueling - all facets of running the station."

"A typical day has one constant in it: the flight schedule is consistent. However, different situations occur every day. Different people fly, different personalities interact and must be contended with. Basically, I look at our operating statistics from the previous day, go through a lot of budgetary items, authorize bills, have numerous meetings to discuss operational concerns.

"Some of the characteristics that I possess, and that I think a person has to have for success at this type of job, relate to motivation and to self-management. A person has to be goal-oriented. That's Number One. Secondly, a person has to know how to manage his or her time effectively in order to complete an eight- or ten- or twelve-hour day. The person also has to have an open mind, not be a presuming type of individual, nor a knee-jerk reactor, but one who can analyze, evaluate, and implement."

"The only dislikes I have about this job are those things I don' t have the ability to control, such as weather and the delays and mechanical problems that force cancellations of flights. Other than that, the day is challenging enough, and it keeps me motivated."

"With regard to future goals and l am a goal-oriented individual-I like challenge. If there's a challenge, I'll more than likely be the first person to volunteer. So, for any promotional opportunities that arise that look beneficial, I'll put my name in the hat."

"In terms of a desirable background for the airline industry, I think I was accepted at TWA in the first place for my people skills: handling customers and employees. That was the catalyst for my success, and that's what you have to have for getting into the airline industry. Having a caring attitude, listening to individuals, looking at people on an individual basis.-these things are essential."

"I do feel that some college background is important to someone who wants to do what I have done. I have studied business administration. The more administrative background you have, the more business-oriented curricula you have in your resume', the better."

"People should also remember that the airline industry has been pretty much painted with a facade where only the front line people-such as ticket agents, travel agents-have been identified in the public mind. But there are many other areas, such as finance and marketing. An airline is run just like any other business, and possessing a background in marketing or finance is an advantage. All airlines are searching for good individuals in many areas. So even though the front line people, such as pilots and flight attendants, may seem to be the most visible to the public, there are other jobs in the industry requiring other backgrounds."

"To conduct a successful job search, people should be persistent. Having the educational background is a plus, obviously, but it's a competitive world here, and persistence tells an employer that this person is going to be good for their operation."

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