Lois Larson
Working at an airport can be a rewarding career choice, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. From customer service roles to technical positions, airports cater to diverse skill sets and interests. The dynamic and fast-paced environment fosters collaboration and efficiency, ensuring the smooth functioning of airport operations. Employees interact with people from various cultures, enhancing their communication skills and adaptability. Additionally, the aviation industry provides a platform to work with unique machinery and equipment, developing sought-after technical capabilities. While the job demands irregular hours and can be physically challenging, it offers competitive salaries, lifestyle benefits, and the chance to build transferable skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Working hours | 24/7, 365 days a year |
| Job variety | From customer services to ramp agents to engineering to communications |
| Job type | Entry-level positions and experienced positions |
| Job security | Susceptible to layoffs but improves with seniority and experience |
| Job satisfaction | High |
| Job perks | Discounts on airfare, car rentals, healthcare services, shopping, dining, and holiday airport parking |
| Job skills | Communication, customer service, collaboration, empathy, efficiency, technical skills, problem-solving |
| Job challenges | Dealing with difficult people, long hours, working outdoors in all weather conditions, physically demanding |
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What You'll Learn
Job variety and progression
Working at an airport offers a wide range of job opportunities, catering to people from various walks of life. Whether you are an experienced professional or a novice, there is a position for everyone. From customer-facing roles such as customer service agents, retail sales associates, food service workers, and flight attendants to technical and mechanical roles like aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, and computer systems technicians, the variety is endless.
For those seeking a career in aviation, the airport is an ideal starting point. It offers a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with new challenges and learning opportunities every day. You will interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, honing your communication and customer service skills.
The technical and mechanical roles at airports also offer a unique experience. You will get to operate and maintain machinery and equipment not typically found in other industries, such as hi-loaders, belt-loaders, de-icing vehicles, and push-back trucks. These roles provide an excellent opportunity to develop sought-after technical skills and soft skills like communication, patience, problem-solving, and thinking on your feet.
In terms of career progression, the aviation industry offers diverse opportunities for development. While there may be competition for higher positions, gaining experience and seniority can improve your job security and chances of advancement. Additionally, the skills acquired in airport jobs, whether technical or customer service-oriented, are highly transferable to other industries, setting you up for potential career shifts or lateral moves within the aviation sector.
Overall, working at an airport provides a plethora of job options and the potential for career growth, making it an attractive choice for those seeking variety, dynamic work environments, and skill enhancement.
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Customer service skills
Working at an airport requires a broad set of customer service skills. The airport is a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a constant flow of people travelling through at all times of the day and night. Employees are expected to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure and demanding customers. Therefore, it is essential to be a good communicator, be empathetic, and be a team player.
As an airport employee, you will be the first point of contact for many travellers and will be responsible for answering questions, giving directions, and assisting with various requests. This may include helping customers with their English, as it is the official language of air travel. Thus, being an English speaker can be advantageous when applying for a job in the airline industry.
You will also need to be able to deal with difficult customers and situations calmly and professionally. Flight delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and poor weather conditions can all contribute to stressful situations for travellers, and airport employees must address these challenges and satisfy customers' needs. This includes providing excellent service and maintaining a positive attitude, even when dealing with irate customers.
In addition to strong communication and interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities are crucial in the airport environment. Unforeseen circumstances can arise, and employees must be able to think on their feet to find solutions and ensure the smooth functioning of the airport.
Overall, working at an airport provides a unique opportunity to interact with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and develop strong customer service skills that can be transferred to various other industries.
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Long and irregular hours
Working at an airport means working 24/7, 365 days a year. This means that employees often work long and irregular hours, including nights, holidays, and weekends. If you work outdoors, you will have to work in all weather conditions, from scorching heat to frigid winters. This can be physically demanding, especially when performing high-intensity tasks like loading or unloading baggage, operating machinery, or refueling aircraft.
The fast-paced and dynamic nature of airport work can lead to fatigue and job burnout, as employees are expected to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure. Irregular schedules and jet lag can further contribute to fatigue, especially for pilots, flight attendants, and other crew members who may be required to relocate to operation hubs or cities with major airports.
However, the long and irregular hours can also be a benefit for those who crave a non-traditional work schedule or who enjoy having days off during the week when places are less crowded. The variety of shifts available at airports can provide flexibility for those with unique schedules or commitments outside of work.
Additionally, the long hours can foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among employees. As mentioned earlier, the airport ecosystem relies on efficient collaboration between various stakeholders. Working long hours together can strengthen the bond between colleagues and create a sense of family within the airport community.
While the long and irregular hours of airport work can be challenging, it is important to remember that no two days are the same, and the dynamic environment can make each shift interesting and engaging.
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Unique machinery
Airports are complex operations, requiring a variety of machinery to function effectively and safely. There are several unique machines used at airports, each serving a specific purpose.
One of the most critical aspects of airport operations is security, and a range of screening tools are employed to guarantee the safety of passengers and staff. Metal detectors are commonplace, with walk-through metal detectors (WTMD) and handheld detectors being used to identify metallic objects on passengers and in their luggage. Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) or full-body scanners, such as millimeter wave scanners, are also used to detect non-metallic threats, such as plastic explosives, hidden on a person's body. These scanners create detailed images to reveal objects under clothing without physical contact. X-ray equipment is used to screen checked and carry-on luggage, providing precise pictures of the contents to identify potential dangers. Explosive detection systems (EDS) are another critical piece of security machinery, designed to identify traces of explosive materials on passengers, in luggage, and cargo. These systems employ various technologies, including chemical sensors, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and computed tomography (CT) scanners.
Beyond security, ground support equipment (GSE) is a broad category of machinery used for ground-based aircraft maintenance and efficient gate operations. This includes fuel trucks for refueling, de-icing vehicles for cold climates, and aircraft towing tugs to move planes in and out of gates and repair locations. GSE also comprises repair lifts for aircraft servicing and catering trucks for loading food and beverages. Luggage carts and loaders are essential for the quick turnaround of flights, ensuring the efficient movement of baggage to and from the aircraft.
Airport construction and maintenance also involve unique machinery. Asphalt pavers lay smooth and even layers of asphalt for runways, taxiways, and aprons, while compactors ensure proper pavement density and durability. Graders and bulldozers are used for grading and leveling large areas of land, creating proper slopes and drainage for runways. Material handling equipment, such as conveyor systems, forklifts, and cranes, enhances efficiency by facilitating the movement of construction materials and components within the airport site. MEWPs, or aerial lifts, provide safe access to elevated areas for installation, maintenance, and repair tasks on terminal buildings and control towers.
The machinery listed above is essential for the smooth and secure operation of airports, contributing to the efficient flow of passengers, freight, and aircraft.
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Teamwork and collaboration
The airport ecosystem relies on effective teamwork among its diverse workforce. This includes customer service agents, ramp agents, ticket agents, flight attendants, pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, and more. Each role is integral to the overall functioning of the airport, and collaboration between these teams is vital. For example, when flights are delayed or cancelled, teamwork between customer service agents, gate agents, and flight attendants becomes crucial in managing disgruntled customers and finding solutions.
The nature of the aviation industry, with its constant flow of travellers and tight schedules, fosters a strong sense of teamwork. Unforeseen circumstances, such as emergency situations, poor weather conditions, and delayed flights, require quick and efficient collaboration. Airport employees must be adaptable and work together to address these challenges and ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.
In addition to the operational aspects, the airport environment also promotes a sense of community among its employees. As Kjell Mathisen, a corporate training manager in aviation, notes, working in aviation is like "joining a family, driven by the same fascination and interest in the industry and its possibilities." The shared experience of working in a fast-paced and ever-changing industry creates a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among airport staff.
Furthermore, the transferrable skills gained from working at an airport, such as communication, customer service, problem-solving, and technical skills, enhance one's ability to collaborate effectively. These skills are valued not only within the aviation industry but also in other sectors, making airport employees versatile and adaptable team players. Whether it's dealing with demanding customers, operating unique machinery, or navigating security protocols, airport employees develop a diverse set of skills that foster teamwork and collaboration.
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Frequently asked questions
Working at an airport can be a rewarding career for many. It is a fast-paced environment with a constant flux of people, which makes it a great place for those who enjoy meeting new people. You will be exposed to a diverse range of people and cultures from all over the world. It is also a great opportunity to develop transferable skills, especially in communication and customer service.
Airports operate 24/7, 365 days a year, which means employees often have to work long and irregular hours, including nights, holidays, and weekends. This can lead to fatigue and even job burnout. However, for those who enjoy their job, this may not be a significant drawback.
There are various roles available at an airport, including customer service agents, ramp agents, ticket agents, food service workers, retail sales associates, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, and more.
Working at an airport can be demanding due to the focus on customer satisfaction and the need to work efficiently under deadline pressure. Employees often have to deal with difficult customers, especially during flight delays, cancellations, or lost luggage situations. Additionally, certain positions, such as cargo handler or maintenance mechanic, can be physically demanding and dangerous due to the use of heavy machinery.
