Very, very generally, the job market in the overall aviation industry can be said to be neutral to slightly positive. The new aspects of TSA security are becoming standardized and expected and the economy has improved enough for airlines to encourage new passengers with discounted fares and new routes. Specific estimates regarding job availabilities, expected salaries, benefits and other details depends, however, on the specific career desired.

A career in the aviation industry may require an individual to move to a given city in order to take advantage of better job opportunities. As most new employers require a period of time before any insurance benefits take effect, a short term medical insurance policy is recommended during periods of frequent job change.

What Aviation-Related Jobs Are in a Modern Airport?

Aviation-related careers comprise an enormous variety of positions in today’s world. Orville and Wilbur Wright could certainly have guessed that there would be airplane pilots and perhaps airplane mechanics, but they would never have imagined that a modern airport would also include luggage handlers, airline ticket clerks, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, Transportation Security Agency (TSA) representatives and runway personnel with their neon tubes directing planes to and from terminals.

Aviation-Related Job Boards

Despite the huge disparity in the educational preparation requirements for different aviation jobs and careers, many job boards are devoted exclusively to “aviation-related” careers, ranging from senior airplane pilots all the way to luggage handlers. Further, these varied positions may be from many airlines including regional, national and international. To those of you unfamiliar with other industries, the use of job boards is not uncommon. What is unique to aviation job boards is the variety of positions advertised. For instance, career specialties utilize job boards to search for new employment opportunities. However, such boards are usually differentiated by the degree of preparation or education required.

Requirements of Airline Ticket Agent Jobs

A career as an airline ticket agent is often a popular choice for individuals who are adventuresome and enjoy travel because of the well-known benefit of free airline tickets. It’s also a career open to high school graduates of age 18 or 20, depending upon the specific airline. Interested applicants need to be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a criminal background check as required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Prospective agents must be able to “lift, push or pull checked baggage up to 100 pounds repeatedly and/or up to 50 pounds frequently.”

The Number of Airline Ticket Agent Jobs

Airline ticket agent positions are expected to grow at an overall slower-than-average rate of three to nine percent in the decade between 2010 and 2020, from a 2010 count of almost 125,000 individuals employed in this position. Some of the slightly depressed growth rate results from the increased use of ticketless travel and computerized flight check-ins. A significant number of job openings will remain available, however, due to retirements and a high turnover rate. The median wage for a ticket agent was approximately $16 per hour in 2010.

Beating Out Competition for a Ticket Agent Job

Snagging a position as an airline ticket agent takes some work on your part. You must have excellent communication and customer service skills as well as the tact and poise to defuse potentially upsetting situations. If you are unable to attend a technical school to earn a certificate in this area, seek out high-profile customer service positions to demonstrate your experience and abilities. Arrive for any scheduled interview carefully groomed and professionally dressed. Be prepared to answer difficult questions from your interviewer as to how you might handle difficult circumstances or angry clients and how you typically deal with stress. A great deal of your interview may focus on the stressful nature of the position. Be prepared to provide healthy examples of your ability to handle tense situations and remain efficient.

A Smooth Landing

Many ticket agents enjoy long careers in the field. There are multiple opportunities for advancement based upon post-high school education, your location and the airline at which you are employed.

Jessica is interested in business and marketing. She enjoys online shopping and learning new technology.

Ensuring a Smooth Landing In Your Aviation-Related Job Search is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Modern technology plays a massive part in everything we do; even small items such as modern mobile phones come with a range of astoundingly useful features. Advanced technology is becoming more useful, desirable and overall practical in most industries, especially in within aviation. The steady progression of technology throughout the 20th and 21st century has made aviation a safer, more efficient means of travel; from improvements in data communication to the Threat Collision Avoidance System, modern aircrafts are packed to the hilt with state of the art systems that ensure passengers can have a safe and relaxed journey. So with this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the fantastic pieces of technology that modern aircrafts use to maintain this experience!

Automatic Dependence Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B)

Aircrafts traditionally use radar technology to determine their positioning, but the introduction of the Automatic Dependence Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS – B) has been said to be more accurate, and if their effectiveness continues to outdo that of the radar, could replace the older systems altogether.
ADS-B is often referred to as ‘next generation’ air traffic control management, it is said to be a faster, more responsive system which increases the speed at which the aircraft and aircraft control receive positioning data.

Threat Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)

It’s fair to say that mid-air collisions are among some of the top feats that on-board passengers may have. Understandably, many people are nervous about flying and can sometimes get a little worked up about the possibility of a crash or collision, but with the use of the TCAS aircrafts have a seriously effective ‘back up plan’.
The TCAS forms a ‘bubble’ around the aircraft; if another aircraft or any other airborne object were to enter its radius the cockpit receives a warning and measures can be taken to avert the plan from the line of collision.

Electronic Flight Bag

Accidents on the runway are potentially one of the more dangerous outcomes in aviation; runway accidents can commonly happen due to miscommunication and poor runway visibility. Many aircrafts require a longer runway in order to take off, if the plane were to start or a shorter runway it would not gain enough momentum to take off safely. Ensuring each aircraft is safely guided and allocated to its own runway is also vital during take-off, colliding with another plane could damage the plan and put much of the area out of service for quite some time.
The Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) is fantastically practical; providing a range of on-board technological aids, the EFB makes air travel even safer. The EFB features a moving map display which shows the position of other aircrafts on the runway, ensuring that there are no collisions and pilots are aware of each-others positioning at all times.
Technological advancements continue to improve and update systems in modern aircrafts; ensuring air travel continues to be a safe and reliable means of travel.

Daniel Travis – Brown writes for PPE who manufacture rubber seals which are integral components in the manufacturing of aircrafts.

Modern Aircraft Technology and Safety Systems is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Airlines for America said passengers can expect full flights this summer thanks in part to a record number of people traveling internationally and an improving economy. The good news for travelers is that airfares have not kept pace with the inflation rate, keeping air travel a relative bargain.

“Customers are benefiting from record airline operational performance and greater access to the global economy while fares continue to trail the price of other services,” said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. “The fact that travelers will take to the air this summer both domestically and in record numbers beyond our borders underscores the value airlines are delivering to customers.”

In its annual summer forecast, A4A today predicted that from June through August, U.S. airlines will carry an average of 2.24 million travelers globally every day. Total passenger volumes remain 5 percent below the summer 2007 all-time high of 217.6 million.

A4A also expects a record number of people to travel internationally. Of the 206.2 million total passengers expected to travel on U.S. airlines this summer, 26.8 million will be traveling on international flights. This estimate surpasses last summer’s record of 26.3 million passengers flown on international flights. Domestically, 179.4 million passengers are expected to fly this summer, comparable to summer 2011.

The good news for travelers is that airfares have not kept pace with the inflation rate, which rose 31 percent since 2000. Over the same period, average domestic airfares, per the Department of Transportation, rose just 9 percent, or 15 percent including optional ancillary services – less than half the rate of U.S. inflation. Adjusted for inflation, average domestic airfares actually fell 16 percent over the period or 12 percent including ancillary services.

Airlines for America Forecasts Record Summer International Air Travel is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Flights and airline travel is about getting from point A to point B in the fastest and most efficient manner. What the airlines need the most is excellent customer service. With the advent of customer relation software such as Microsoft CRM, airlines can tailor experiences and eventually avoid bad experiences resulting in a tarnished brand.

The way a business focuses on the customer is first understanding the customer base. For example, Jessica is interested in traveling and visiting new places. She also enjoys scrapbooking and spending time outdoors. How does an airline cater to her experiences, while still providing excellent customer service to other travelers?

Customer Focus

The key to a successful CRM strategy is to align the efforts of the business with the customer. The marketing strategy aligns the valuation of the customer with the needs of the customer. The end result is excellent customer service and building a brand. Taking an aligned approach to customer service as it relates to the airline industry involves personalizing the experience.
Companies must use services such as flight alert systems, handheld devices and self-service kiosks to personalize the experience as well as reduce labor costs. Although the options are not all inclusive, the personalization of services is based upon customer information and related trends. Airlines have to realize that when a customer feels appreciated, they’re more likely to return to the brand.

Social Integration

Social media is more than just sending tweets and acquiring “likes” on Facebook. Understanding the customer involves integrating social media in a manner that allows customers to be involved in the decision process. Social media is a part of the customer’s everyday life. When the message is delivered traditionally, awareness of the services is high, but the end result is a reduced loyalty.
When a business incorporates social media strategies, the opportunities are endless as is the spectrum of interaction. For example, Jessica sends out a tweet to Southwest Airlines concerning a lack of customer service. Southwest Airlines has approximately 1.2 million followers, so the chances of the company addressing the concern are relatively high, considering the amount of subsequent followers. Add to that the small amount of time it takes to respond to Jessica, and the high rewards of all of her followers (and all of the airline’s) seeing that Southwest really does care about the individual flyer.

Marketing Wheel

How a business transforms an efficient CRM marketing strategy involves three components: marketing, sales and service. All three strategies focus on the lifecycle of the customer. The marketing and sales involve taking customer information and historical data and transforming it into efficient workforce scheduling, service request management and self-service Internet solutions. The end result is high quality service.
The goal of any airline, big or small, is customer service. Without the customer, the future of the airline is in instant turmoil. The only way to fully address customer service concerns is to understand the customer base and make them an integral part of the decision process. CRM marketing allows businesses to embrace the ever changing customer and customize/personalize the experience. The end result is a customer base that has loyalty to the brand and increased profitability for the business.

Jessica is interested in business and marketing. She enjoys online shopping and learning new technology.

Airline Marketing Up in the Air is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today the launch of its first official app for iPad, ‘Milestones in Innovation’, now available on the App Store. The app brings nine decades of aviation innovation to iPad through beautiful imagery and an interactive timeline.

“This is the history of Boeing as a digital coffee table book,” said Fritz Johnston, Boeing’s vice president of brand and advertising. “iPad’s amazing Retina display makes it the perfect canvas to present this visually stunning narrative.”

Starting with Bill Boeing founding the company in 1916 and culminating with first delivery of the 787 Dreamliner, the free app depicts advances that have transformed the world and made Boeing one of the most respected companies. The app also includes four videos from Boeing’s “Inspiration to Innovation” series (www.boeing.com/stories).

In addition, Boeing recently began distributing stories, photos, and videos through Flipboard, Apple’s 2010 App of the Year. To follow Boeing on Flipboard users can search for and select “BoeingStories” from that app’s content guide, which is accessible via the red ribbon at the top of the screen.

The Boeing ‘Milestones in Innovation’ App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

Boeing Brings Nine Decades of Aviation Innovation to iPad is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

IATA released their global traffic results for March and according to that, passenger demand rose 7,6 (%) and for the cargo side, 0,3% climbing. That is comparing to the March 2011.

Now, what happened? Arab spring and the tsunami in Japan were the biggest events that impacted the air travel. However, IATA thinks it only affected about 2% for the whole year figures. We’ll see that in a year.

Freight demand, according again to IATA, was Chinas fault, they celebrated New Year. I have some doubts for that. Can it be because people didn’t buy enough goods, other areas of industries didn’t make much profit? That is the most affective way to give cargo companies a slap. And they will. Then airlines get less money when there’s less cargo available.

Here’s what Mr. Tyler commented anyway:

“If we discount the industry’s growth by two percentage points as a result of the extraordinary events in 2011, airlines still managed an expansion in the range of 5-6%.  Given the prevailing economic conditions with some European states returning to recession, passenger demand is holding up well. But this is bringing little relief to the bottom line because yields are not keeping pace with the continued very high price of oil.”

Global traffic figures for March 2012 is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Carry-on baggage policy is becoming more and more regulated and specific as airline threats become more and more numerous, sophisticated, and creative.  It seems like every day new items are added to the “banned list” — items that you might otherwise not think twice about carrying on with you.

Anyone who has flown in the last few years knows that you have to schedule at least an hour of waiting time into your itinerary, just to get through airport security.  Airports could probably start a donation drive with all the items that they have to confiscate from passengers on their way to the gate.

You don’t want to have any of your personal belongings taken from you because you weren’t aware of their banned status.  Before you pack your bags for your next flight, read over this list of banned items — and be sure to browse the “For Travelers” section of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for updates and other important traveling information, such as liquid rules, and required/acceptable forms of identification.

Sharp Objects

This is a bit of a no-brainer, in light of events that have occurred over the last decade, but you would be surprised at the number of people who still try to bring their pocket knives on the plane with them and then have to surrender them to airport security.  There are some exceptions — see the chart below (from TSA’s website) — but the best rule of thumb is: “When in doubt, check it.”

Sporting Goods

This might come as a surprise to some, but the only sporting goods you are allowed to carry on a commercial flight are ice skates and tennis rackets.  Anything else, such as baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, or ski poles, have to be checked.  Again, when in doubt, check it.

Guns & Firearms

At this point, if you try to bring a gun on an airplane, you deserve to have your weapon taken away, and to wear a dunce hat for the duration of the flight.  Federal Air Marshals are some of the only individuals permitted to carry a gun or any kind of firearm — so unless you meet that qualification, best to leave the guns and the ammunition at home.  By the way, gun powder and flares, as you can see from the table below, are strictly forbidden on aircraft.

Tools

Think you can’t bring that screwdriver or wrench on board? If they’re shorter than seven inches in length, certain tools are actually allowed on the plane.  Any larger though and you’ll have to check them.

Martial Arts & Self Defense Equipment

Black belts have to fly occasionally, too! Unfortunately, if you are headed to a competition, you’ll have to check your equipment, no matter what it is.  And on a side note, anything sharp that you check in your luggage should be sheathed or wrapped so that it doesn’t protrude and endanger baggage handlers — and this goes for all kinds of items, not just martial arts equipment.

Miscellaneous Items

This is certainly a list you want to read before boarding your next plane.  If you don’t, you might have to toss that snow globe you bought as a souvenir for your niece, or ditch those gel shoe inserts you use for long walks.  Read on.

 

Jane Smith is a freelance writer and blogger. She writes about free background checks for Backgroundcheck.org. Questions and comments can be sent to: janesmth161 @ gmail.com

What Not to Carry On Your Next Flight is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) encouraged the UK government to use the opportunity of the national aviation policy consultation to enable aviation to generate more economic growth and jobs. Specifically, IATA asked the government to address high taxes and severe capacity constraints while developing policies to support the industry’s commitments on climate change.

“The UK is the world’s second largest market for international air travel, bringing enormous benefits to the economy. Aviation in the UK is at the center of over GBP 90 billion of economic activity and supports the livelihoods of nearly 1.8 million people. The connectivity provided by aviation enables London to function as a global financial center, to be a global hub of culture and to host the Olympics. Great Britain is an island. Aviation connects it to the global community and global economy. Government policies must recognize and nurture that important role,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO in a speech to the UK Aviation Club.

Aviation’s future capability to be a pillar supporting the UK economy is jeopardized, however, by a regulatory approach that constrains the growth of the UK’s only hub airport (Heathrow) and a fiscal policy that burdens the industry with heavy taxes. IATA encouraged the government to address these issues in a national aviation policy that will follow from the ongoing consultation process.

Capacity: IATA supported the further development of Heathrow over other proposals to provide hub capacity in the south east of the UK. Heathrow, a vital component of the UK’s economy supporting 220,000 jobs and GBP 11 billion in economic activity, is operating at 99% of its capacity. New capacity is urgently needed to support the needs of London as a global capital of finance and culture.

“The UK is falling behind in connectivity. London has less frequent links to 27 emerging market destinations than the daily connections offered from continental European hubs. If the UK wants to do business with these developing markets, air connectivity is the enabler,” said Tyler. He noted that London has no non-stop services to some developing markets such as Manila, Jakarta, Santiago and the Chinese cities of Chengdu, Shenyang and Guangzhou, although daily services exist from continental European hubs.

Proposals have been floated to address the need for more capacity by building a new airport to serve the London region. Such a project would be enormously expensive and politically uncertain. “For a fraction of the cost of building a new airport, the UK could get all the additional capacity needed to ensure that Heathrow continues as a great aviation hub and without the economic dislocation of moving 220,000 jobs that depend on Heathrow” Tyler said.

UK Aviation Policy is a Great Opportunity is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy