|
Career Counselor - Entry-level Travel
Jobs
Avjobs.com is widely recognized as
an Aviation Employment Services leader.
November 3, 2002
Career Counselor
Entry-level Travel Jobs
SUSAN W. MILLER, M.A, Special to The Times
Question: I am interested in getting into an entry-level job in the
travel and tourism industry. Do you have any ideas or suggestions
for me.
— Linda
Response: You could consider becoming a reservations or ticket
agent, also known as passenger service agents.
Reservation agents schedule and confirm reservations by telephone or
computer and prepare tickets or contracts at the request of
customers. They determine space availability and offer suggestions
on travel arrangements including routes, time schedules, rates, and
types of accommodation.
As car rental agents, they rent automobiles and talk with customer
to determine type of automobile, location for pick up and return of
automobile, and number of days needed for rental. Car rental agents
quote costs, and explain rental policies and procedures.
Employment Outlook
While above average growth is projected through 2008 for reservation
agents, the increased use of on-line ticketing, may result in fewer
position openings.
Ticket and reservations agents are employed by transportation
companies such as airlines, car rental companies, and/or cruise
companies. Currently, many experienced agents are on layoff status,
so outlook is poor for entry-level applicants.
Larger companies employ both ticket agents and reservations agents,
while smaller companies may hire only ticket agents who perform both
duties. Some ticket agent jobs are available only through promotion
from reservation agents.
Reservation agents work in central offices at desks with telephones
and computer terminals. Ticket agents may work at check-in counters.
Salary Range
In Los Angeles entry level reservations and ticket agents earn from
$22,000 to $30,000 per year and part time hourly positions are
available at a pay rate of from $8.25 to 9.75 per hour, depending on
the airline.
Training Options & Costs
A high school diploma, GED, or an equivalent is usually required for
entry level positions but completion of related coursework may
enhance one's employability. Several local community colleges offer
classes and training for reservations and ticket agents.
Courses include:
• Fares and Ticketing, which identifies airline and airport codes,
and how to determine airfares and taxes;
• Internet Travel Research, which provides on instruction on how to
navigate and access information from key travel industry web sites.
The colleges also provide various levels of instruction on Apollo
and Sabre computer systems, the most widely used by airlines for
processing reservations. The cost per course is generally $33.
Long Beach City College
1305 East Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, CA 90806
(562) 938-4353
www.lbcc.cc.ca.us
West Los Angeles College
9000 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 287-4200
www.wlac.cc.ca.us
Los Angeles City College
855 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 953-4000
http://faculty.lacitycollege.edu/
Job Resources
There are 42 car rental companies and 76 airlines that operate out
of Los Angeles International Airport and 5 car rental companies and
4 airlines that operate out of the Long Beach Airport. Princess
Cruises reservation center in Santa Clarita also employs
reservations agents. The Los Angeles World Airports website,
lawa.org, lists over 50 airlines that fly out of LAX that employ
ticket agents.
The following are online resources for jobs in the airline industry,
including reservations and ticket agents:
Allied Airline Services
www.alliedsvc.com
This online resource sells materials that helps applicants secure
airline and/or cruise line employment. They sell an information
guide on how to write a professional resume and cover letter geared
toward airline and/or cruise ship positions, which includes
interview tips. The guide also provides a listing of openings within
the airline industry, including salary, benefits, advancement
opportunities, and job duties. The information guide can be
purchased online for $24.95 plus $5 shipping and handling.
Avjobs, Inc. &
Airline Employment Assistance Corp.
P.O. Box 630830
Littleton, CO 80163
(303) 683-2322
Fax (888) 624-8691
www.avjobs.com
E-mail: info@avjobs.com
This is an online career resource that provides employment
assistance for jobs in the aviation industry. The three types of
membership offered are Resume, Basic (job search only), and
Applicant Portal
Membership (job search plus resume services) with an option to
indicate job category including reservations. The monthly
subscription fee for Resume membership is $10, for a Basic
membership is $19.95 and for an Applicant Portal membership is $24.95.
The following is a listing of some airlines with websites that
provide an online listing of career opportunities.
Continental Airlines
(800) 444-8414
www.continental.com
Alaska Airlines
(800) 252-7522
Job Line: (206) 433-3230
www.alaskaair.com
United Airlines
Job Line: (888) 825-5627
www.ual.com
Princess Cruises
Corporate Headquarters
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 753-0000
Job Line: x77105
www.princess.com
E-mail: careers@princesscruises.com
Contact: Ana DeLa Torre, Reservation Agent Recruiter
They provide an online listing of opportunities for various
locations including the Santa Clarita Valley. The various types of
positions offered include Customer Service/Call Center, and
Facilities/Office Services. For consideration of employment at the
headquarters, applicants can forward their resume and cover letter
by e-mail.
Egypt Air
Los Angeles Office
9841 Airport Blvd.
Los Angeles CA. 90045
(310) 215-3900
Fax (310) 215-9574
Contact: Mr. Adley
(310) 215-3940
www.egyptair.com
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a
Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate
status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads
California Career Services, a private practice career counseling
firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com
or visit California Career Services at
www.californiacareerservices.com. |
|
