Airline Jobs

Types of Airline Jobs

Airline jobs cover a wide range of responsibilities – from selling the ticket to flying the plane. Some jobs require mechanical skills and some require people skills. The employers range from the United States government to airports and commercial airlines.

Air Traffic Controller

Every FAA-approved airport has air traffic controllers on staff. The controller is responsible for monitoring the safe passage of the aircraft through the airways between airports. Controllers must be college graduates, under 31 years of age and receive a qualifying score on a pre-employment exam. They are then required to attend 12 weeks of training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma after which they receive up to four years of on-the-job training. Annual salary is between $78,170 and $126,260.

Airport Security Screener

Screeners are employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the Federal government. There are more than 43,000 airport security screeners working in the United States. Their responsibilities range from conducting screens of checked baggage to monitoring passengers as they walk through the X-ray machines. Screeners do not have to have a college degree, but United States citizenship is required. The average salary is over $30,000 a year.

Fixed Based Operator Lineperson

Small airports often have Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) to handle repair and refueling of small, usually private, aircraft. Linepersons are employed by the privately-owned FBO to guide the arriving aircraft to the parking area, fuel and service the plan and inspect the airplane for low tire pressure or fluid leaks. The linesperson can work part-time or full-time depending on the level of flight activity. A linesperson usually has basic training as a mechanic and may earn from $9.00 to $15.00 an hour based on their experience and the location of the airport.

Flight Attendant

Flight attendants are employed by the commercial airline companies to make sure the passengers are safe and to provide in-air customer service. Most flight attendants are college graduates. All flight attendants have graduated from an intensive flight attendant training school. They usually earn between $45,900 and $62,200 a year, with senior flight attendants earning more and having the first choice of destinations and flight times.

Commercial Jet Pilot

A commercial jet pilot is employed by the airline and is responsible for flying the plane safely between destinations. A pilot usually has a college degree, many hours of flight training, many hours of flight experience and often has military flight experience. The annual salary ranges from $94,900 to $122,100 depending on the airline.

Passenger Service Agent

The passenger service agent is employed by the airline and is responsible for passenger-oriented activities such as selling tickets, issuing refunds and checking baggage. They may not have a college degree, but they are required to complete a full training course by the airline. Typically, a service agent is an hourly position starting at about $9.00 an hour.

Jet Mechanic

A jet mechanic usually works on a team at a maintenance facility. They may not have a college education, but they have completed technical training and have completed certification courses by the airline and the airplane manufacturers. A jet mechanic can earn between $65,500 and $81,000, with senior mechanics earning significantly more.

Customer Service Skills Pay Off

Airline jobs are often enjoyed because of the flexible working hours and shifts available. Additionally, many airlines offer travel benefits such as reduced or free flights on a stand-by, availability basis. Most jobs require excellent customer service skills and an ability to work with people even when they are under the stress and upset that often comes with air travel.