Airline employees.Past,present.

01-10-2002, 10:52 PM

I am really interested in this field.An idea I have is to catch on part- time as a ramp agent,and maybe go full-time when I retire or quit my current job.A lot of the people on these forums seem to really enjoy their jobs and seem to be very loyal to the airline they work for.Is this the norm?
What do you guys think about this idea of mine?I'd really like to hear from you.

Thanks

Ed

Moose · 01-10-2002, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ed Krzyzowski
I am really interested in this field.An idea I have is to catch on part- time as a ramp agent,and maybe go full-time when I retire or quit my current job.A lot of the people on these forums seem to really enjoy their jobs and seem to be very loyal to the airline they work for.Is this the norm?
What do you guys think about this idea of mine?I'd really like to hear from you.

Thanks

Ed

Ed,

I have this same idea and already have my resume in to 4-5 airlines. I'm getting to know a few in the industry as I know networking is always your best bet for any job.

hernan · 01-10-2002, 11:52 PM

Ed,

Go for it! but let me tell you aint easy the life of a ramp agent. I been doing it for 11 years. right now im with Southwest. there is alot of fun and a lot of frustation as well. you will get wet,cold,hot,ect. but if you love airplanes like I do there is no other place to be1

b737gearboy · 01-11-2002, 08:56 AM

Ed,
I started my career in aviation when I was 18 working for Servair now called Dynair. The company had several contracts with airlines for cleaning and ramp work. Then I went to work for ASII, they do the same thing. After that I went away to college and got a job at night working for Flying Tigers at their Columbus, Ohio hub. Then I decided I liked to sleep at night so I got a job fueling airplanes for an FBO. I learned to fly at the same time and spent the last year in college as a flight instructor and continued to fuel airplanes while taking a full load of classes. When I graduated, due to lean times in aviation(gee I'm having Deja-vu) I spent two more years instructing, banner towing,flying a little corporate, and doing anything possible to get an hour in the logbook. Then I spent the next seven years flying freight and working for a commuter airline. After 13 years from my start in aviation I finally got on with a major airline! Now, not quite 3 years later I am furloughed and back to square one. My career has been frustrating at times but I can not imagine being in any other business, I 've been lucky and unlucky but I have enjoyed just about everyday. And the pay, well as the old joke in aviation goes, if you want to make a million start of with two, probably ten now. Good luck and go for it if you really want it.

Jeremy · 01-11-2002, 02:27 PM

Go for it!
I have worked on the ramp for 10 years and I would not do anything else. It is fun and different every day. There are some rough days, but for the most part it is an easy job. We get a lot of down time in which we watch television or movies. We can go up in the terminal and eat or girl-watch too.
I have seen many co-workers get on when they retire from other jobs just so they can get free flights. Then, all you have to do is put in your 10 and you get free flights for life.
I knew a guy who worked his *** off for 6 months straight, picking up people's shifts and working 15-20 hours a day and then he took 3 months off and traveled the world.
Southwest or Jetblue is probably the best ones to work for but they have little flexibility for getting time off.
America Worst and Contitnental seem to be the best at getting lots of time off (I am talking about months at a time).
You can do trips on your days off though, I have taken many 1 or 2 day trips, even as far as Europe. People would say why go to London for 2 days and I would say that I can always go back to see more if I want to.
Good luck to you!

SonicCruiser · 01-11-2002, 04:10 PM

Hey, I worked for Tigers at LCK as well. Full time Traffic Agent
( Weight & Balance ) in the N.W. Zoo

what's your name, where in the hub did you work, and who
was your supervisor?

b737gearboy · 01-13-2002, 12:38 PM

I was a "rover" most of the time. Also worked a little bit outside too, mostly by the old Stagecoach Convairs. It's been a long time and I can't remember what the supervisors name was. One thing I never liked was riding that school bus over to the hub, felt like I was going to prison.

hernan · 01-13-2002, 01:01 PM

I was a Ramp agent for 5 years.[Fllying tigers was my first try]. then I was transfered to the FBO division[fueler] for another 4 years until I went to the Army.all those nine years were with the same company at SJU. then I was a fueler again at ORL for over a year.Then Quantum aviation at MCO.where we serviced Airborne,Emery and Capital. then I made the BIG mistake to apply for ASII at MCO[The worst company I ever been!]. And now im with Southwest at MCO.

01-14-2002, 05:19 PM

These responses are encouraging.Thanks guys.

Ed

GYMEEE · 01-14-2002, 11:16 PM

I was downsized from the Telcommunications industry in 1998 after 31 years! I ALWAYS wanted to work on the ramp and I did get the opportunity with Continental at Newark. I was the oldest rookie baggage handler..and I had fun! Marshalling in DC-10's and getting to work on 737-200 & 727-200 before they were retired. I loved the job but my family didn't (They did not think I would get the job in the first place). My wife, children, Mom and my even my grandson got in on the act to get me to resign. I lasted 3 months (I think I should have stayed!) and enjoyed every minute!

01-10-2002, 10:52 PM	#1
Ed Krzyzowski Guest Posts: n/a	Airline employees.Past,present. I am really interested in this field.An idea I have is to catch on part- time as a ramp agent,and maybe go full-time when I retire or quit my current job.A lot of the people on these forums seem to really enjoy their jobs and seem to be very loyal to the airline they work for.Is this the norm? What do you guys think about this idea of mine?I'd really like to hear from you. Thanks Ed

01-10-2002, 11:52 PM	#3
hernan Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: CAROLINA,PUERTO RICO Age: 42 Posts: 426	Ed, Go for it! but let me tell you aint easy the life of a ramp agent. I been doing it for 11 years. right now im with Southwest. there is alot of fun and a lot of frustation as well. you will get wet,cold,hot,ect. but if you love airplanes like I do there is no other place to be1 __________________ FLY SOUTHWEST. THE ONLY WAY TO FLY ! COLLECT STAR JETS. THE BEST MODELS!

01-11-2002, 08:56 AM	#4
b737gearboy Senior Collector Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: KMHT Age: 40 Posts: 248	Ed, I started my career in aviation when I was 18 working for Servair now called Dynair. The company had several contracts with airlines for cleaning and ramp work. Then I went to work for ASII, they do the same thing. After that I went away to college and got a job at night working for Flying Tigers at their Columbus, Ohio hub. Then I decided I liked to sleep at night so I got a job fueling airplanes for an FBO. I learned to fly at the same time and spent the last year in college as a flight instructor and continued to fuel airplanes while taking a full load of classes. When I graduated, due to lean times in aviation(gee I'm having Deja-vu) I spent two more years instructing, banner towing,flying a little corporate, and doing anything possible to get an hour in the logbook. Then I spent the next seven years flying freight and working for a commuter airline. After 13 years from my start in aviation I finally got on with a major airline! Now, not quite 3 years later I am furloughed and back to square one. My career has been frustrating at times but I can not imagine being in any other business, I 've been lucky and unlucky but I have enjoyed just about everyday. And the pay, well as the old joke in aviation goes, if you want to make a million start of with two, probably ten now. Good luck and go for it if you really want it. __________________ GO BUCKEYES!!!! NATIONAL CHAMPS!! O----H----I----O

01-11-2002, 02:27 PM	#5
Jeremy Master Collector Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: BAA Indianapolis Posts: 583	Go for it! I have worked on the ramp for 10 years and I would not do anything else. It is fun and different every day. There are some rough days, but for the most part it is an easy job. We get a lot of down time in which we watch television or movies. We can go up in the terminal and eat or girl-watch too. I have seen many co-workers get on when they retire from other jobs just so they can get free flights. Then, all you have to do is put in your 10 and you get free flights for life. I knew a guy who worked his * off for 6 months straight, picking up people's shifts and working 15-20 hours a day and then he took 3 months off and traveled the world. Southwest or Jetblue is probably the best ones to work for but they have little flexibility for getting time off. America Worst and Contitnental seem to be the best at getting lots of time off (I am talking about months at a time). You can do trips on your days off though, I have taken many 1 or 2 day trips, even as far as Europe. People would say why go to London for 2 days and I would say that I can always go back to see more if I want to. Good luck to you! __________________ One Nation under God There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth**

01-11-2002, 04:10 PM	#6
SonicCruiser Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Greenwood, Indiana, USA Posts: 75	b737gearboy Hey, I worked for Tigers at LCK as well. Full time Traffic Agent ( Weight & Balance ) in the N.W. Zoo what's your name, where in the hub did you work, and who was your supervisor?

01-13-2002, 12:38 PM	#7
b737gearboy Senior Collector Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: KMHT Age: 40 Posts: 248	I was a "rover" most of the time. Also worked a little bit outside too, mostly by the old Stagecoach Convairs. It's been a long time and I can't remember what the supervisors name was. One thing I never liked was riding that school bus over to the hub, felt like I was going to prison. __________________ GO BUCKEYES!!!! NATIONAL CHAMPS!! O----H----I----O

01-13-2002, 01:01 PM	#8
hernan Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: CAROLINA,PUERTO RICO Age: 42 Posts: 426	I was a Ramp agent for 5 years.[Fllying tigers was my first try]. then I was transfered to the FBO division[fueler] for another 4 years until I went to the Army.all those nine years were with the same company at SJU. then I was a fueler again at ORL for over a year.Then Quantum aviation at MCO.where we serviced Airborne,Emery and Capital. then I made the BIG mistake to apply for ASII at MCO[The worst company I ever been!]. And now im with Southwest at MCO. __________________ FLY SOUTHWEST. THE ONLY WAY TO FLY ! COLLECT STAR JETS. THE BEST MODELS! Last edited by hernan; 01-13-2002 at 01:07 PM.

01-14-2002, 05:19 PM	#9
Ed Krzyzowski Guest Posts: n/a	These responses are encouraging.Thanks guys. Ed

01-14-2002, 11:16 PM	#10
GYMEEE Senior Collector Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Somerset NJ USA Posts: 211	Airline Employee I was downsized from the Telcommunications industry in 1998 after 31 years! I ALWAYS wanted to work on the ramp and I did get the opportunity with Continental at Newark. I was the oldest rookie baggage handler..and I had fun! Marshalling in DC-10's and getting to work on 737-200 & 727-200 before they were retired. I loved the job but my family didn't (They did not think I would get the job in the first place). My wife, children, Mom and my even my grandson got in on the act to get me to resign. I lasted 3 months (I think I should have stayed!) and enjoyed every minute!

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