About the Airline Industry

Aviation has progressed a long way since the 120-foot flight by Orville Wright on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and since the first U.S. airline began operating between Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida, on January 1, 1914. Today supersonic aircraft fly routinely across the oceans, and more than two million people are employed in aviation, the aerospace and air transportation industries. Today's Airline industry is a global operation, providing travel and employment to hundreds of thousands of people much like yourself. The complex operations of each and every company require large numbers of employees, and offer many different work positions and locations. Visualize your local airport and how many different companies occupy space behind those long counters. Remember, those companies offer employment in every city they fly to, and your town is just one of thousands with an airport. Even so, the competition for these positions is extraordinarily high. Relocation is not always necessary, however suitable circumstances may take you to an airport other than your home town. Through our discoveries we hope to eliminate the overwhelming feelings which could, and often do, stop applicants dead in their tracks.

Since deregulation in 1978, the airline industry has hired twice as many new employees as were hired in the previous 35 years combined. This ever changing industry requires thousands of new employees monthly. Most entry level positions do not require experience and are easily obtained by following the easy step by step instructions contained within this career guide. Management and executive positions are generally filled by existing employees as these positions become available. This internal promotion structure allows entry level employees to transfer laterally within each company or advance up the corporate ladder.

The Airline Industry, in addition to employment, also offers a wide variety of benefits. These benefits (available to full and part time employees) vary from company to company and may include:

• Personal and family travel passes
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision care insurance
• Dental insurance
• Sick pay
• Paid vacation
• Profit sharing
• Retirement program

In addition to these benefits, most airlines offer:

• Full or part time employment
• Wide pay range
• Flexible schedule
• Multiple days off
• Job shares
• Leaves of absence
• Personal adventure and excitement
• And more

With many different positions available in a wide range of cities around the world, it is possible for anyone and everyone to prosper personally and monetarily. For someone who is looking for a career that offers a tradition of service, growth, and excitement, the world of aviation beckons. It's a big world, and one that is made up of a wide variety of job opportunities. Some require a considerable amount of training, while others are available at the entry level. Depending on the kind of working environment you prefer, you may find yourself aloft in the cockpit or cabin of a plane or on solid ground in an office, on a production line, or on an airport ramp.

Aviation offers many varied opportunities for exciting and rewarding careers. The purpose of these pages, is to provide information that will be useful in making career decisions.

Entry level positions with an airline, cover a wide variety of operations and duties. Most of these positions involve extensive customer service contact requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills. No previous experience is required, although you may be required to work evening or early-morning hours, adhere to a strict physical appearance, and lift heavy objects. Entry level positions such as Pilot, or Mechanic require special licenses issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, and/or specific previous work experience. Specific hiring requirements for these positions may also be obtained by contacting the specific airline. To eliminate any confusion, all positions are regarded as customer service positions. Every second an airline employee spends with a passenger or potential passenger is critical. Most passengers choose their airline based on the quality of service received. Passengers may never see you, but they will remember their telephone conversation, the comfort of their flight, and the way their baggage arrived; safely, timely at the correct destination. They will thank you by flying your airline over and over again.