| The US airline industry is gradually moving | | | | Airlines, Korean Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, |
| away from all the bloodletting that brought | | | | and flag carriers as well as discount |
| about the bankruptcy of four major carriers | | | | carriers from dozens of countries from around |
| over the past several years while at the same | | | | the globe.Discount Carriers - Some of the |
| time marked the emergence of many discount | | | | strongest carriers in operation today are |
| carriers into the forefront of the business. | | | | discount airlines. Two of the best are |
| Indeed, the face of commercial aviation has | | | | Southwest and JetBlue, both of which are |
| changed dramatically over the past decade and | | | | expanding and are hiring on a regular basis. |
| it now appears that the worst is behind us. | | | | Other discount carriers include: Spirit, |
| This does not mean that further layoffs and | | | | USA3000, and many small more regional |
| downsizings are not possible, but for the | | | | carriers.Regional Operators - Working as |
| person seeking a customer service career in | | | | "feeder" airlines for the big carriers, |
| the aviation industry, the future has | | | | regional operators include Colgan, Republic, |
| brightened considerably.Customer service | | | | Shuttle America, American Eagle, Comair, and |
| opportunities with the airlines includes the | | | | Great Lakes. Some of these carriers are awash |
| following job titles: reservation agents, | | | | in cash with very promising futures.Charter |
| ramp agents, line service technicians, | | | | Carriers - A few airlines fly chartered |
| customer service agents, baggage handlers, | | | | flights principally although some have |
| and various management positions including | | | | scheduled flights too. Some of the more noted |
| station manager, customer service manager, | | | | charter operators include: Miami Air, Xtra |
| and airport operations manager. Similar job | | | | Airways, and Sun Country.Cargo Carriers -- |
| titles exist, but for the sake of brevity in | | | | Not every carrier moves people. Some carriers |
| using the term "airline customer service" I | | | | move goods, merchandise, and equipment. |
| mean those ground personnel tasked with | | | | Customer service jobs as sales agents and |
| assisting customers as they get to and from | | | | equipment handlers are an option for |
| their destinations.So, exactly who is hiring? | | | | potential employees. Chief cargo companies |
| Well, on any given day just about everyone | | | | include: DHL, FEDEX, UPS, Emery Worldwide, |
| could be. The turn over rate for customer | | | | and Amerijet.Two recently launched carriers, |
| service personnel can be high, depending on | | | | EOS Airlines and Maxjet Airways, went through |
| the airline and the working conditions. To | | | | a hiring surge immediately preceding their |
| make it easier on you, the following is a | | | | first flights in Autumn 2005. As with any |
| break down of the various airlines who hire | | | | start up, long term career possibilities are |
| customer service agents. In most cases you | | | | a big question as most start ups eventually |
| will work directly for the airline but in | | | | fail.In all, the opportunities for you in the |
| some cases a position may be with a vendor or | | | | airline industry have improved. While pay for |
| for the airport authority itself.Legacy | | | | hourly workers is generally low the benefits, |
| Carriers - American, Continental, Delta, | | | | including flight privileges, are usually |
| Northwest, United, and USAir all qualify as | | | | fairly good. In spite of everything, the |
| legacy carriers. Simply defined these are the | | | | airline industry remains a point of interest |
| carriers that helped the airline industry get | | | | for so many people and with decreasing fuel |
| its start in the U.S. Out of the six listed, | | | | prices and strength in the economy, the job |
| only American and Continental have avoided | | | | market for customer service personnel is on |
| bankruptcy. Thus, a career with a legacy | | | | an upswing.Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is |
| carrier can be a risky proposition.Foreign | | | | the proprietor of a flourishing article |
| Carriers - Many foreign carriers fly in and | | | | writing, web design, and marketing business |
| out of the U.S. and are worth a look. | | | | based in North Carolina, USA. He manages a |
| Depending on the carrier selected, you may be | | | | number of sites including the Corporate |
| required to speak the language of the | | | | Flight Attendant Community and the Aviation |
| carrier's country in addition to speaking | | | | Employment Board. Please pay a visit to The |
| English. Chief carriers include: Air Canada, | | | | Article Writer to examine selections from his |
| Mexicana, Air France, British Airways, Japan | | | | collection. |