An aircraft doesn't have a reverse gear; once its doors are closed, drivers push the aircraft off the ramp, using a tug or tractor. You have to know what you are doing: moving 400 tons of planes with a 70 yard wingspan takes skill. The aircraft's movements’ team is also responsible for making sure aircraft are correctly positioned on their stands when they arrive, and before departure the aircraft's electrical and air conditioning systems are plugged in to ground systems. Linked by intercom to the flight deck, the teams are the captain's eyes and ears on the ground, making sure the area is cleared of any objects before the engines start up.
Tip!
If you don't like the cold, be aware that during winter, aircraft movements’ drivers will be working the deicing equipment and an airport can be one of the coldest places on an early winter morning.
Ramp services agent
This staffs are responsible for the safe and timely loading unloading of freight and luggage, to strict and rigid deadlines. The moment luggage is tagged by the PSA with a bar coded label and sent off into the luggage system, it comes into the ramp services agent's territory. A computer scans the bar code and the luggage is automatically directed to be loaded onto a container. Once full, the container is directed towards the appropriate aircraft. Then Distribution loads it on the aircraft, making sure that they follow instructions from the aircraft dispatcher, who will have already worked out the load sheet, deciding how much weight is to go into each hold. This job is vital to ensure that the aircraft is properly 'trimmed' to fly safely and at its optimum speed, consuming fuel efficiently.
Computerization has meant that if a passenger doesn't check in on time at the aircraft door, it is easier to unload their luggage. The ramp services agent will match the bar code with the passenger's boarding pass details on screen and know immediately which container has their luggage. You juggle with problems whilst liaising with the captain in the case of delays that could make the aircraft lose its take off slot.
Ramp services managers often represent their airline at meetings with airport administration and other airlines.
Getting started
It can be daunting to find a job as an agent. There are so many different employers, many of whom go under different names, or names that you might not associate with work. There are several ways in:
- Contact the local job center those at Heathrow and Gatwick are often asked by employers to find staff.
- Some airports offer their own ground handling. Phone the airport switchboard and ask to be put through to personnel or human resources.
- If you want to work for an airline, go to your local airport and ask the information desk if they have a list of airlines that use their airport. This will usually list the scheduled carriers (airlines). Then ask if they have a list of charter airlines. Then walk around and keep your eyes open watch the monitor screens for names of airlines, look out for tour operators' desks and see which airline their passengers fly by, and ask the staff checking in passengers how they found their job (when they aren't busy!).
- Ask the information desk if you can have a copy of the airport newspaper. This will often list jobs, and you can read the news stories for names of airlines.
- And of course, watch local newspapers for ads.
You have to be able to work whenever the airport is open, which can be 24 hours a day. You have to handle angry passengers when there are delays, when a client thinks he or she should have been upgraded, and you have to say NO, when clients arrive with a large amount of baggage and you have to tell them they will have to pay for excess baggage, and when a travel agent has supplied a ticket for a child traveling solo, and the child turns out to be under the legal age limit for traveling on their own (when you are faced with angry parents and tearful children). And you have to keep your cool whilst ensuring that you continue checking in others in time to catch their flight.
But at the end of the day, working at an airport gives you a tremendous 'buzz', and many people stay there all their working life. You are meeting and helping people all day long, and the satisfaction you get from sorting out a problem, and enabling people to go on their flights, can give you a very, very warm feeling. If you have a good brain for administration but also like helping people and successfully sorting out problems, this could be the job for you.
And if at the end of all this, you are turned down when you go for your interview don't worry. Every airline and airport needs agents so look for another opening.
Trains
If you want work similar to that of cabin crew, but don't fancy flying, try Eurostar. Its staff serves food, and look after passengers on the trains. Only difference is you don't fly. Contact Momentum on 020 7902 3589.
Or try working for the ultra smart Gatwick Express Train. Staff is needed for Victoria and Gatwick stations' information desks, inspectors who tell you where to go (in the nicest possible way) and trolley staff who bring refreshments around to your seat. Emma Swan says they look for people who are 'positively motivated, friendly and polite'. There are two different roles: platform customer service staff who provide information and help people to board the train at Gatwick or Victoria, and on board staff who sell tickets, provide customer service and serve and sell refreshments from the trolleys.
The Heathrow Express also requires train staff: contact the BAA. PSA/check in staff also work for major airlines at Paddington and Victoria stations.
