The busy airline industry offers job seekers a wide range of opportunities. Airline jobs provide generally good salaries and benefits, including inexpensive travel. However, the industry is extremely competitive and, like other business sectors, many airline companies increase or decrease staff in times of economic uncertainty.
Flight Attendants
Airline flight attendants are an essential part of the crew on commercial flights. They attend to passengers while the flight is in progress, seeing to proper seating, service of food and drink, and passenger safety in normal and emergency situations.
Pilots and Navigators
Pilots are employed to operate commercial aircraft. They are responsible for flying the aircraft safely from point of origin to destination. Airline companies only hire pilots with licenses and a minimum amount of flight time experience. Navigators operate radio and navigation equipment, and are responsible for plotting course, distance, speed, and altitude to assist the pilot in flying the plane.
Reservation Sales Agents
Reservation sales agents are responsible for selling seats on commercial flights to customers over the phone and via the Internet. They quote ticket prices, handle electronic transactions, provide flight and other travel information, and arrange seating.
Passenger Service Agents/Airline Ticket Agents
Passenger service agents, sometimes called airline ticket agents, work at the departures counter. They prepare, sell, and review tickets; compute fares; check travelers' identification; provide boarding passes; check in baggage to be carried in the plane's cargo hold; and provide travel information.
Airline Operations Agents
Operations agents coordinate and monitor the airline's various airport activities by communicating with flight arrival and departure staff, cargo handlers, ground crews, and aircraft boarding and disembarkation representatives.
Flight Dispatchers
Flight dispatchers organize flight information and are responsible for flight safety. They prepare a flight plan that describes destination schedules, total distance, expected fuel use, navigation information, weather forecasts, and alternate destinations.
Cargo Handlers
Cargo handlers are responsible for getting baggage, packages, and freight on and off the aircraft.
Aircraft Mechanics and Avionics Technicians
Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians service and maintain aircraft on the ground. Aircraft mechanics investigate any mechanical trouble and perform routine maintenance and safety checks. Avionics technicians service the electronics systems of an aircraft, repairing, installing, and troubleshooting avionic equipment.
Security Agents
Security agents are responsible for examining checked and carry-on luggage, reviewing travel documents and passports, and ensuring that passengers are conforming with laws regarding domestic and international travel. Security agents are often employed by the airport rather than by an airline.
