Airline baggage and freight handlers take care of the freight and luggage that passes through airports. Freight handlers must sometimes weigh the freight and prepare the shipping orders before the freight is put on the plane. Baggage handlers take baggage off planes that have landed and put baggage on planes that are about to take off. Baggage and freight handlers drive special baggage jeeps that tow long strings of trailers behind them.
At the plane the handlers set up a conveyor belt that leads to the door of the baggage area on the plane. One of the baggage or freight handlers climbs into the baggage area and sorts out the baggage. Each piece of luggage has been tagged with a card that shows where it is going. The handler can tell very quickly which pieces of luggage should be sent down to the cart and which pieces should stay on the plane until it reaches the next city.
The baggage that is taken off the plane is put on trailers. The trailers carry the baggage from the field where the plane lands to the air terminal. There the baggage is placed on another conveyor belt, which carries it to the passengers' luggage pick-up area. Travelers select their own luggage from the moving belt. In the meantime, the handlers are busy putting new baggage on the plane.
Luggage is not handled piece by piece on every plane, however. On larger planes both the baggage and the freight are loaded into huge containers. Each container holds baggage or freight that is going to the same place. All the baggage and freight in the container is loaded and unloaded at the right places. Handlers use machines to move these heavy containers.
Baggage and freight handlers are only part of the ramp crew. Service workers put important supplies on the plane while it is on the ground. Some drive trucks to remove waste from the rest room; some put fresh water on the plane; others load food and drinks for the passengers.
Once the plane has reached its last stop, airplane cleaners straighten and clean the inside of the aircraft. They vacuum the floors and seats, replace the paper headrests, and clean the rest rooms.
Education and Training
Some employers generally prefer to hire an applicant with a high school diploma. Very little training is necessary to become an airline baggage and freight handler. New workers learn on the job.
Getting the Job
You can apply directly to the hiring offices of the airlines. The Air Transport Association of America will send you a list of airline addresses on request. You may apply in person or by mail.
Employment Outlook
Baggage and freight handlers may advance to some managerial jobs. Further schooling may be needed to get some of these jobs.
The job outlook for baggage and freight handlers is generally expected to be good through the year 2006. However, jobs in the airline industry are affected by the general state of the economy. Airlines may lay off workers during an economic recession.
Working Conditions
Because airplanes come and go all through the day and night, the work is done in shifts. Some baggage and freight handlers work at night. Weekends and holidays are busy times for airports. When planes come in, they and their passengers must be taken care of quickly. A handler's job is slow at night, when there are few flights. During other parts of the day, the workers may be very busy. They may be under pressure during these times. Baggage and freight handlers should be in good physical condition because they must lift heavy baggage.
Earnings and Benefits
Salary depends on length of service. New workers earn less than experienced baggage and freight handlers. Beginners earn an average of about $17,000 a year. Handlers who have been working with the airline for several years may make $25,000 or more a year.
Many airline baggage and freight handlers belong to labor unions. Benefits include medical insurance and paid vacations and holidays. Workers can expect to receive pensions as well.
