Airline Maintenance Inspector checks the work done by mechanics and other specialists and must give final approval before the aircraft is released for operation.
Airframe and Power Plant (Engine) (A&P) Mechanic. Works with skin and frames, engines, propellers, brakes, and wheels and is responsible for the proper mechanical functioning of the aircraft. Salaries range from $18,000 to $45,600 a certificate from the FAA or the military is required. There are 48,000 certified mechanics with U.S. scheduled airlines.
Instrument Technician installs, tests, repairs, and overhauls all aircraft, engine, and navigational instruments. A certificate is required.
Radio Technician installs, maintains, repairs, and tests all aircraft radio equipment.
Airline Engineer. Works closely with aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas, and Lockheed, to develop equipment suited to the airline's particular type of operation; is often involved in the design of aircraft and aircraft accessories and in improving maintenance and overhaul procedures; may be responsible for safety oversight.
Administration, Sales, and Marketing
Administrative, sales, and marketing departments offer some of the best entry-level positions with the least requirements for education and prior experience or accreditation. However, the competition for jobs has allowed the airlines to stiffen their requirements, and those who have completed a travel and tourism program at a college or vocational school generally have a better chance at employment.
Reservations Agent. Sells reservations and other travel products, such as tours, hotel accommodations, and car rentals; operates computer reservations equipment; and assists passengers in solving their travel needs. About 54,000 airline reservationists in the United States occupy the better part of a day sitting in front of a computer screen with a headset on, talking over the telephone to consumers and travel agents, making and changing reservations. American Airlines looks for individuals with a high school degree or equivalent, two years of college or business experience, and an aptitude for telephone sales and excellent telephone technique. Salaries range from $12,064 to $38,600, according to the ALEA.
Ticket Agent. Sells tickets to airline passengers at the airport and at city ticket offices. At American Airlines, this agent also promotes and sells air travel, gives air travel and tour information, makes the flight and tour reservations, computes fares, prepares and issues tickets, routes baggage, and prepares cash reports. There are about 20,000 ticket agents in the United States. Starting salaries range from $10,000 to $16,000; at the tenth year of service, they range from $15,000 to $28,000, according to ALEA.
Airport Operations Agent performs agent duties in airport operational areas; meets and dispatches flights, lifts tickets, administers seat selection, coordinates boarding and post-departure procedure, handles baggage service, and maintains a high level of customer service with passengers.
Passenger Service Agent provides service to passengers primarily at the ticket counter or passenger boarding or baggage claim areas; assists passengers by providing information, arranging for ground transportation, and giving directions; when necessary, may fill in for reservations or ticket agent.
Fleet Service Employee loads and unloads air cargo and baggage on the aircraft and makes certain that baggage gets to the proper destination. Good physical condition and ability to work outdoors in every kind of weather are required; previous experience with equipment (belt loaders, container lifts, heaters, aircraft pushback tractor, and deicing equipment) or in freight handling is a plus. There are about 32,000 fleet service employees whose salaries ranges from $12,000 to $38,000, according to ALEA.
Sales Representative promotes and sells an airline's various passenger and cargo services mainly to travel agencies and to corporate accounts.
District Sales Manager administers city ticket and reservations offices, promotes, and develops airline passenger and cargo traffic in the district in accordance with the company's goals and policies.
District Operations Manager is in charge of ground and flight operations at an airline station and supervises all the people involved.
Freight Airport Operations Agent processes routing and rating of shipments and contacts customer on arrival of shipments and arranges for delivery.
Freight Telephone Sales Representative quotes rates and patterns of service and completes necessary shipping documents.
Fleet Service Clerks cabin service clerk cleans cabin interiors and replenishes cabin supplies; line cargo clerk handles loading and unloading of baggage, freight, and mail on passenger aircraft air freight clerk handles loading and unloading of freight in specialized equipment on jet freighters.
The Air Line Employees Association, a union that represents ground employees including reservations agents and clerical, office, fleet, and passenger service employees, is a good source for these jobs. ALEA offers a job opportunities program consisting of monthly bulletins for 16 different career categories including qualifications, requirements, and contact information; a magazine published six times a year and a directory of aviation-related schools and colleges.
Apart from the specific positions previously described, headquarters and regional, sales offices employ people in public relations, personnel, accounting, insurance, and finance secretaries, typists, clerks, and receptionists.
Marketing departments employ research analysts, whose job is to prepare detailed statistical analyses and reports that relate to items such as the rate structure and tariffs, traffic problems and trends, or the number of passengers and amounts of mail and freight carried.
Management/Specialty Positions
Most carriers have a policy of filling management/specialty positions from within. At American Airlines, for example, promotional opportunities include those of crew scheduler, executive secretary, supervisor, industrial engineer, inspector, instructor, passenger service manager, personnel representative, programmer/analyst, purchasing agent, and statistical analyst and supervisor.
The three broad job categories for airline personnel mask the diversity and range of specializations. For example, an incentive sales representative specializes in working with coordinators of travel prizes, a travel industry liaison works with travel agents, and an interline salesperson coordinates with other airlines on mutual exchange of tickets and is responsible for reduced-rate travel of airline and travel agency personnel. Other specialty areas include aircraft purchase and sales, charters, freight/cargo, insurance, properties and facilities, purchasing, labor relations, and community and environmental affairs.
Many airlines also have sizable tour operations. TWA, for example, has TWA Getaway (now operating as a separate entity), American Airlines has Fly Away Vacations, United has United Vacations. These entities employ many of the same kinds of professionals as tour companies do, including product development, operations, and marketing and sales professionals.
