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