Is Ground Ops/Dispatch/ P.Service Agent a Carrear?

[Lee@LPL]

Hi Folks,
I am only young at 18 and have always been into aviation and working at the airport has always been what I wanted to do, but while I am keen to take my job I have been offered at the airport my family says that working at the airport isnt a carrear!!?
I could do with some advice off you guys that work at the aiports please!!!

Regards

Lee@LPL

[Wipeout]

Those jobs you mentioned are often good 'springboards' from which to gain experience in the aviation/travel sector. I suspect around many airlines/airports, many personnel and senior management started off working the floors in terminals and on the ramps.

I started off as a baggage handler, then got a job as office admin within an airline, now work in the operations dept of said airline with decent career prospects for those interested. :ok:

[aw8565]

Make sure whatever job you do, your attendance and sickness record are up to scratch, even better, unblemished.... This can be tough with shift work but it counts a lot...

[Wipeout]

Agree with that, its a very competitive industry, your record needs to be the squeakiest of clean!

[Lee@LPL]

agreed guys good info, what sort of jobs involving the airport are possibilities after these 3 beginning jobs?

[Wipeout]

To be honest not sure, I suppose it depends on the individual company/airport and their respective responsibilities. However any such work within the airline/airport industry nearly always requires the prior experience of working. Even a couple of months for the summer season can look favourable...

[Lee@LPL]

yer agree with all your comments thanks guys, but can/do people enjoy a comfortable life as a result from working at the airport?

Regards Lee@LPL

[Wipeout]

That depends on what you're looking for in a comfortable lifestyle. The wages tend to be quite low, especially in the temporary sector, and the working hours in handling agents (from my experience) tend to be somewhat erratic. On the flip side, theres often ample room for progression for the right people, and its more interesting than sitting behind a desk 9-5 every week (again, from my experience!).

[FRmary]

People who work in dispatch and as PSAs are the senior school drop outs with no qualifications. I should know, that's me!! Don't get me wrong, you'll love the job and flight support are ok, but unfourtunatly the fact that it's a s**t job is beacuse they only pay u s**t money. £5 an hour to sign off aircraft all day long?? What's all that about?:*

[raviolis]

as a dispatcher, you'll get paid as or less than an ASDA checkout operator but with very unstable shifts and rostering.
That aside, it's an interesting job and there's plenty of female talent ! :ok:

That applies if you work for ground handlling companies, like Servisair or Aviance. If you work for BA or bmi it's a different story, at least pay wise !

[OpsSix]

People who work in dispatch and as PSAs are the senior school drop outs with no qualifications. I should know, that's me!! Don't get me wrong, you'll love the job and flight support are ok, but unfourtunatly the fact that it's a s**t job is beacuse they only pay u s**t money. £5 an hour to sign off aircraft all day long?? What's all that about?:*

I wouldn't go that far. I have worked as a PSA and I'm just about to become a dispatcher. I did leave school at 16 but I'm no drop out.

[Lee@LPL]

I think that FrMary has expaplined everything!

[5552N0426W]

This is a crazy business but one of the most difficult to start in. If it's what you want to do and someone's going to give you your first foot on the ladder, take it. It's a beginning and once "you're in" you'll hear about other things going on in the industry.
Airlines come and go (I should know having been with Gill Airways and Air Wales) but if it's what you know and want to do, go for it.
I am now a dispatcher after the Air Wales demise but it keeps me in the loop and lets you see the other side.
Best of luck
:ok:

[FL460]

Quote
"Is Ground Ops/Dispatch/P.Service agent a Carrear"


Only if you can spell.......:rolleyes:

[Revolutionarry]

Time you started earning your dosh young Lee, youve been talking about getting a job for months, time ye got off yer a**e and did a bit of graft, rather than sitting aroung spunging and talking a good job, you sound like perfect circus fodder to me, dont worry lad in 20 years time you'll still be wondering if it was a good move, but we the tax payer cannot carry you forever.

[Lee@LPL]

Reveloutionary, i am in full time employment (and have been for the last 18 months) at the moment doing a 40 hour week as an AutoCAD Draughtsman and get battered by the tax man every month in my wages so dont be talking to me like I am some lowlife on the dole!

[Wipeout]

Some people seem to love jumping to their own conclusions, don't they...?

[bsix90]

i think that Dispatch in europe is in its death throes, the company i work for are investigating the possibility of The Team leader/Leading Hand and Gate agent doing the job,reducing the need for a dispatcher.
Still though a good job and i would recommend it to anyone who wants a good platform to gain some solid experience, which of course is the basis of most aviation jobs.