Challenge of a career in baggage handling; in association with publicjobswales.co.uk.Byline: By MICHELLE MICHELLE Mid-Infrared Echelle Spectrograph RUSHTON What does a career in airport baggage handling involve? Also known as ramp agents, airport hands or operatives, airport baggage handlers load, unload To remove a program from memory or take a tape or disk out of its drive. and store luggage and freight quickly and securely. They collect, sort and check baggage against a flight list to ensure that each item goes on the right plane and to the correct destination. Baggage handlers use conveyors and lifting equipment to move the baggage onto trucks for transportation to and from aircraft, and to the arrival hall or store. Most staff drive baggage trucks to and from aircraft. They may carry out other tasks such as portering, cleaning aircraft, clearing snow and keeping runways free of birds. Baggage handlers tend to work shifts which include evenings, weekends and public holidays and are required to wear protective clothing or uniforms. What personal skills do you need? You should be physically fit with normal colour vision and able to work quickly as aircraft may only spend a short time on the tarmac between landing and take-off. You must be responsible and honest, and able to co-operate and get on well with others. You need to understand how conveyors and lifting equipment work. You should also be prepared to work outside in all weathers and in cramped spaces, such as cargo holds. You mustn't mind working in a noisy environment as the aircraft engines can be very loud! What training do you need? New employees are taught how to use conveyors, bar code recognition equipment, lifting equipment and vehicles in a safe and efficient manner. They also receive training in health and safety, and security procedures, and learn how to identify airline and airport codes. Baggage handlers can work towards an NVQ NVQ n abbr (BRIT) (= national vocational qualification) → título de formación profesional NVQ n abbr (= National Vocational Qualification) → Level 2 in providing aviation operations on the ground, awarded by EMTA Awards Ltd (EAL EAL English as an Additional Language EAL Evaluation Assurance Level EAL Eastern Airlines EAL Emergency Action Level EAL Environmental Analysis Laboratory EAL Evidence Analysis Library (American Dietetic Association) ) or City and Guilds. Additional training is provided for members of staff being promoted to team leader or to specialised posts. NVQ Level 3 in Co-ordinating Aviation Operations on the Ground is available. Apprenticeships level 2 and 3 may be available for those under 24. What are the opportunities for career advancement? Baggage handlers are currently in demand, and can be employed by airport authorities An airport authority is an independent entity charged with the operation and oversight of an airport (or group of airports). These authorities are often governed by a group of airport commissioners, who are appointed to lead the authority by a government official. , airlines or companies which supply services on contract. They may move up to supervisory work, and could become flight dispatchers, a job which involves overseeing all aspects of the turnaround of aircraft. They can also transfer into related areas such as marshalling aircraft on taxiways and stands. What is the salary? On average, airline baggage handlers earn between pounds 10,000 and pounds 15,000 per annum Per annum Yearly. . Supervisors can earn pounds 16,000 plus. More information GoSkills Tel: 0121 635 5520 ht-tp://www.goskills.org City and Guilds Tel: 020 7294 2800 http://www.cityandguilds.com EMTA Awards Ltd (EAL) Tel: 0870 240 6889 http://www.eal.org.uk |
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