Zona8 From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 128 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 3777 times:
Hello all, this is my first post after a few years away.
I am off to college next year and am looking for a job over the summer and into next year. Woking as an airline gate agent came to mind. I think it would be great thing to do. Any thoughts? Delta would be my 1st pick, but will have to see who's looking for people.
Also, could someone fill me in on ID tickets and non-reving, I know just about nothing.
N405MX From Mexico, joined May 2004, 1378 posts, RR: 11 Reply 2, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 3699 times:
It´s a great job, gate agent is a good option, you know people, you deal with a lot of situations (also passengers) but it´s a great job, you don´t get bored, all days are different.
Regards
Life is what happens when you have other plans.....
Stealthpilot From India, joined May 2004, 510 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 3698 times:
you hav'nt started college yet?? well then it might be a while before you get a job at delta or anyone huh
ill let someone who knows something take it from here........
-Nikhil
Hawk44 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 759 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 3682 times:
am off to college next year and am looking for a job over the summer and into next year. Woking as an airline gate agent came to mind. I think it would be great thing to do.
I will also add this after re-reading your post when I went to the job interview I was told that they wouldn't be able to work around a school schedule and if that was not ok then you couldn't be hired. Not sure if this is the norm but I would double check.
Skidmarks From UK - England, joined Dec 2004, 7121 posts, RR: 60 Reply 8, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 3614 times:
ID90 is standby, as is non-revving, although you can get "firm" non-rev's, depending on who you work for.
I am about to go to MAN ID90 - hopefully I will get on as my wife informs me there are around 20 spare seats. Only 10 coming back though. Might have to stay the night - what a blow!! hehehe
OttoPylit From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 3581 times:
Non-reving you pay the taxes.
I don't know about UA, but at DL, I don't pay anything when I nonrev, unless its a foreign destination that is real picky about flying in for free.
For anyone interested in working for an airline, I will give you this bit of advice, and take it from someone who has basically worked in the airline industry from his first day out of high school and has tried to go to college at the same time.
This isn't a job where you will get rich, you will be highly underpaid for what you are required to know. This isn't the kind of job where you get much praise, usually it is more like a planeful of people wanting your head on a stick. Your passengers will expect you to be able to predict the weather, fix it, and have the capabilities of knowing exactly how the flight will proceed, even in this industry where things are changing on a minute by minute basis. Until you finish 30 years with the industry, do not expect to ever see what a holiday looks like unless you are working during it, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, July 4, and your birthday. If you choose to work gates, although it is a job where the day seems to fly by, expect to catch the wrath of a completely loaded 767 that was just put on a 3 hour gate hold due to weather, especially when you have international connections, and your working all by yourself. Your job will consist of making boarding announcements, talking on 2 phones, and rebooking passengers through the computer....all simultaneously! As far as college in concerned, don't expect that to be easy. You will have a schedule, it most likely won't be one that you want, and it will rarely work well with your school schedule. You will find yourself scheduling school around work, and wonder why you are doing it. In fact, after oh, about 2 days, you will begin to rethink this whole airline thing. The only thing that will keep you in this industry is 2 things.
1. You get to fly anywhere you want to, for free.
2. Its easy to pick up chicks when you tell them that you can fly anywhere for free. They hear that and immediately think, that means he can fly ME anywhere for free. Just don't show her your paycheck.
Neilalp From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 1034 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 3566 times:
I tend not to see gate agent and ticket taker positions listed on the airline websites.....are these positions most airlines always have? Just wondering how people go about getting those, or do they rarely open up?
Newark777 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 9348 posts, RR: 33 Reply 11, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 3552 times:
What are some good "summer job" opportunities if you want to work for an airline? I don't feel like getting the usual cashier type job, and I was wondering if there were any positions open for this type of work.
Hawk44 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 759 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 3544 times:
I tend not to see gate agent and ticket taker positions listed on the airline websites.....are these positions most airlines always have? Just wondering how people go about getting those, or do they rarely open up?
Not to be a smartass or nothing but the reason you probably will not see these positions open or very few open is because the majority of US airlines are not able to hire because they can't afford it or they are at full staff. It also helps if your at a hub city. Keep checking with airlines like WN and B6 also F9 is hiring in certain areas along with CO which seams to be hiring at the hubs.
Fourstripe From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 97 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3517 times:
Otto-Pylit-
I agree with you completely. I am trying to go to school while working at an airline as well. Although it did take me a year out of hs to get a job with American Eagle, I was a fueler from the day I left hs! My advice is this.... first airlines are not going to spend the money training you for a "summer job". They want to see some sort of commitment for the long term, especially if you want to be a gate agent. If you are looking for a short term job, go ramp, it requires less training, and is more fun. As a ramper, you don't have to worry about pissed pax, just bags and planes, which tend to be more predictable.
-fourstripe
“Aviation is proof that given, the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.” - Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
AERoc From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 310 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3512 times:
It will not work for just a summer job. Sorry. If you have no experience in the field then you will have to most likely go for training with delta's system, I think its Apollo, and thats about 5-6 Weeks. Have fun trying to fit school in with the job too, Iam doing that, but the only way is internet courses so I can fit them in when Im not at work and dont have to work school around my shifts. Its tough, but not a job for just the summer.
USrampleadSTL From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 102 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (8 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3463 times:
It will not work for just a summer job. Sorry.
Not true at all, some places you can be a ramper just for a summer, just call around in April and May. Gate agent--maybe not, there is a lot of stuff to learn. You also might not get to do much on the ramp other than handle bags, but that's a good way to get in shape too. It's also possible to fit school and airline work into the same schedule (I do that now), you just have to be prudent about what you schedule for when and know the shifts you're going to bid for in advance, and be flexible about what classes you're going to take.
As far as fares go, find an employer that participates in the ZED agreement, much better than ID90s and usually better than ID95s.
F9Animal From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 4730 posts, RR: 30 Reply 16, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 3377 times:
Many opportunities are available in the airline industry. Do your homework, and check airline websites daily. You can find a job, it just takes a little work.
The ability to transfer is great. You may be able to keep your airline job by transferring. The benefits of travel are great. I enjoy flying for free, and I take full advantage of it. If you are not planning on traveling much, then the job may not be well fit for you.
The pay is not the greatest in the beginning, but the responsibility is great. Being in charge of multi million dollar machines is a great responsibility. You also have the opportunity to help people, and help your company by being safe. Many opportunities to make better money are available in the airlines. The possibilities of climbing the ladder are great too. You can make good money if you are patient, and play your cards right. Being flexible, and hard working will get your name in the right hat eventually.
Once you do get in the industry, it is hard to leave. For some odd reason after being laid off, you find yourself hunting for another airline job. It is an addicting job, and it gets deep in your blood.
I love it, and I will retire doing it.
I think the answer regarding non reving was well answered.
Lamedianaranja From Venezuela, joined Nov 2004, 1246 posts, RR: 23 Reply 17, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 3370 times:
Not to discourage you, but Gate Agent is not a simple position. At KL you enter as a Service Agent, take the slack at the counters and Self Service for a good couple of years and then , if you're really good, you might qualify for Gate Agent training. We have a lot of college or university graduates who work as Gate Agents at KL 'cause they love the job better then anything else they studied for! Good luck!
Midway2AirTran From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 864 posts, RR: 2 Reply 18, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 3326 times:
Go for it if you can, however be aware that typical training takes approx 2 weeks and may be at another location, unless you are at a hub city.
I had the perfect situation while I was at Midway Airlines at RDU. They were very flexible with me while working at RDU as Ramp. I started full-time, but was allowed to go back to part-time when I started school. Luckily since I was working at a hub, there were many people to deal shift-swaps with and we were allowed permanent swaps after the end of each shift bid. I had the perfect schedule with school (school was an hour away from RDU too) and there was always someone there to help should those sudden situations come up. Of course that was very typical of the Midway family!
I would recommend working for someone that is non-union; nothing wrong with unions, but for people in your situation some of the work rules may make it harder to be flexible for you to get or maintain the position with school, especially with no seniority. As with my situation, hub cities will normally be your best bet with better staffing, more shift lines, and swapping opportunities.
Nycargoman From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 2 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 3284 times:
The best advice anyone has given me about non-reving was to get an ADX license. Space permitting, a lot of gate agents let you get on board even if you do not work for their airline. It's quite neat really
777STL From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 3031 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 3275 times:
"Not to be a smartass or nothing but the reason you probably will not see these positions open or very few open is because the majority of US airlines are not able to hire because they can't afford it or they are at full staff. It also helps if your at a hub city. Keep checking with airlines like WN and B6 also F9 is hiring in certain areas along with CO which seams to be hiring at the hubs."
Actually not too long ago I was looking at DL's HR page and they had many openings in many different cities for CSA's, gate agents and rampers.
Hawk44 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 759 posts, RR: 4 Reply 21, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 3243 times:
Actually not too long ago I was looking at DL's HR page and they had many openings in many different cities for CSA's, gate agents and rampers.
Yes they do along with Ready Reserve positions which I applied for.
OttoPylit From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3176 times:
If you do get hired by Delta, for instance, your training will be more that the 2 weeks stated. It will actually be 4 weeks. Two weeks of Airport Customer Service training, which is basically learning the basics of the computer, learning your city codes, etc, and then off to the class you need to know. In a hub, you are specialized in one area. If you work at an outstation, you are a jack of all trades. If you are part of an outstation, you will be sent to ticketing class. If you are in a hub, you will be sent to Ticketing, Gates, or Baggage Service class, depending on where you are working. These classes are another 2 weeks of training. If you work at an outstation, expect to sit on the ticket counter for the better part of a year, until you get accustomed to it, then you will eventually start moving around more and more, maybe first Baggage Service, then learning Gates, etc. Within about 2 years, you will know more than you thought you ever would know.
Malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3183 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3149 times:
READ MY LIPS
if you worked for Delta,
DL PASS would be free on all domestic flights, listed in FIRST/BUSINESS before coach depending on how nice you dress (no extra charge as opposed to other US airlines that make you pay a fee for upgrade) DL is completely free even on International (except for the tax part) but on my experience, I would list o/w on all my international segments and the slips would get lost and I was never charged for many of my international flights such as ATL-NRT CDG-ATL etc.
The thing on ID is if you want to fly another airline, your airline may have an interline agreement, such as ID96 ID95 ID90 and the worst ID75 which is practically useless, such as 400 o/w from NRT-LAX on an SQ ID75, forget
the ID75 unless you have a really short route, where its like the only airline to get you there at a specific period of time, I once used an ID75 on GF from SIN-CGK (40 dollars)
there also is the flat fee agreement, where some airlines let you pay a flat
20 or 25 dollars each way plus some tax. most airlines may have a WN 25 eachway deal (my guess)
then there is the ZED agreements, where its simpler structure than an ID
ticket, its a specific amount per mileage segment such as you pay
lets say 20 for 1000-2000 miles etc its a table and there are low/mid/high
ZED agreements depending on how well the airlines get along. but you also put the fee on top of tax.
HERE IS THE BEST PART, but I dont know how it applies to most, but
its the STATION AGREEMENT. from my old experiences and jobs, my last station had no "station agreement" thing. but now my current one does
have this feature.
on my station agreements, its for those who specifically work at a specific
airport, they get an extra deal with the local airlines at that airport, even if
some are not listed on your "pass Bureau or corporate agreements"
the pricing is usually ALL FEES WAIVED domestic and companions allowed
and for international airlines, its just ALL FEES waived, you just pay tax
I even get some for airlines that dont serve my airport, but they apparently have a city ticket office that have friends with us.
with an ID95, Id pay 130 round trip from LAX-BKK, but with a station agreement, I only pay the tax, I pay only 45-65 roundtrip from even New York to Bangkok. It keeps getting better, but this is only the STATION AGREEMENT Privilege, its kinda neat perk since I can fly completely free on 5 Major US carriers domestically and unlimited, even 2 allow companions free.
But that only applies to the employees at that specific station, so others who work for the same company at another airport might not get the deals. I am sure some may have even better agreements, I do wonder what station agreements we get if I were working at LAX or JFK! bet its even better with all those airlines around.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
25 Malaysia: for the record, I am trying to take extra schooling (accounting) to add on to my useless Airline Management degree to really get into an Airline corpo
26 EMBQA: Stay far far away from airlines....They will suck the life out of you. After a long 10 years in the business, I'll second that....!!
27 Malaysia: 8 years for me, now NEW CAREER CHANGE within industry! shame on me haha, sorry I just eat and breath airlines and its what I do, so I choose to remain
28 Malaysia: I hear Independence Air has this student-flex offer (on there website), where you can choose your own hours but must work atleast 30 hours a month hah
29 DL763DFW: Well if you are looking for a job with Delta, about the only place they are hiring off the street right now is in Atlanta. They are desperatley in nee
30 Ual777contrail: hawk44, you said"Not to be a smartass or nothing but the reason you probably will not see these positions open or very few open is because the majorit
31 JetSOUTHEAST: How much is the cost of living in areas like ATL and other hubs? How much of a chance do I have with this experience: 1.) 2 Months With Sears doing si
32 ORDflyer: Jetsoutheast, With that experience you would be easily qualified to be a ramp agent...there's really no previous work experience required for an entry
33 Dl763dfw: Yeah, those qualifications would be fine for a ramp job. Delta at the moment isn't hiring any F/As to my knowledge. Cost of living in Atlanta isn't ba
34 SelcalCheckOK: I worked for Jetblue for a few months as a provisioning agent. We were cross trained to work the ramp for overtime. While it is an awesome job if you
35 Goldenshield: Moving up within the industry is a good thing to check out. Once you get your foot in the door by holding a job as a ramp agent, you can try other thi
36 F9Animal: The best advice anyone has given me about non-reving was to get an ADX license. Space permitting, a lot of gate agents let you get on board even if yo
37 Goldenshield: Aircraft dispatcher. We are the 'captains' on the ground. We do all the pre-flight planning, flight following, and have what is termed 'operational co
38 Malaysia: I miss pushing KE/NH/SV/PK/BA/VN/JL/PR jets when I was 18 years old, miss those days
39 Zona8: Thank you all for the help! One last question, can anyone give my some insight as to how long the applicant process takes, especially for a CSA with d
40 Citjet: If you live in ATL, then you are located near a very large airport that has many airlines that serve it. If you cannot get hired by Delta, there is al
41 LGAtoIND: Im a college student living in the NYC area. I would love to work somewhere at an airline over the summer. Does anyone know how to go about getting a
42 September11: Airlines do offer internship positions..... mostly at headquarters office, though.
43 Hawk44: I got another question how hard is it to work as a FA and go to school at the same time. I take online courses so I thought about it as something I co
44 Lono: after at 20 plus year career with 4 different airlines... I have to say a couple of things.. 1) Airline work used to be a career... can't be thought o
45 Malaysia: LAVS?? pshaw thats nothing, I once had to do LAVS straight from 8:00pm-6:30am, dumping and reflushing 767 after 767 due to being RON, I was lucky I ha
46 Paddy78: Yeah, lavs arnt that bad at all. Sure, stop paying attention and a blue shower will teach you to hate life real quick, but once you get a system down
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