I was thumbing through the November/December issue of AARP's magazine the other day, and read an interesting article about a few jobs that might be particularly attractive to the readers of AARP.
1) Ski greeter. That job seemed logical, i.e. getting paid to hang out at your favorite resort. 2) Cruise lecturer. Again…logical. Fun, getting paid to travel and meeting People from all over the world.
3) Airline Baggage Handler. Was this a misprint? I've spent just enough time on the ramp to know how hard our Ramp Agents work.
But as I read on - flexible hours; good hourly wage; excellent health benefits; free travel, it makes a lot of sense for someone wanting a secure job with a great Company! The article quoted a baggage handler with another airline, "you needn't be a Superman", and "you need to be able to lift 60 pounds, which isn't hard if you're in reasonably good shape."
With all of our growth in cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Baltimore, and Orlando we always seem to need People with Fun-LUVing attitudes and strong backs to work on the ramp. If you're a baby boomer (or not) and are interested in free travel and a meaningful job at a great place to work, go to www.southwest.com/careers
We are closing the comments on this post because Jeff has written a new post on this very subject.
Comments
Hi Jeff,
I worked the ramp for about ten years at my previous employer, Delta, and I loved every minute of it. For an airplane freak like me, working around aircraft was the ultimate, and it is a great place to learn the nuts and bolts of aviation. Yes it is hard work, but you work as a Team, and being part of a quick turn is like a winning football team or a ballet.
It's a great job for folks who hate being tied to a desk and who like being outside. Even though it gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer, there are many days when you just look around and think, I wouldn't change my job for anything.
When I first began, I told my father, who also worked for an airline, that I thought an airport ramp was a "sacred place," and I still think that way. Today, with all the security measures and enclosed jetbridges, most folks never get to see an aircraft "close up and personal" (to borrow ABC Sports old slogan), but you can on the ramp. The knowledge I gained on the ramp has been indispensable in my career.
Brian
I thought working for SWA was a great idea. I went to the first interview in Philadelphia back in August and I was told I would be invited back for a second interview.
I suppose I must have fallen through a crack in the system because three months have passed and no call or letter has been received.
Dennis,
I'm sorry we haven't been in touch. I will check into the matter. In the meantime please email your resume to me at (jeff.lamb@wnco.com) so that I may contact you directly. Thanks for your patience.
I had 2 FA interviews over the summer but again wasn't picked for training; I also went through both 7 years ago. I had 2 CSA & 2 RSA interviews last month & this month, but wasn't picked for training for either position. :( Can anyone tell me what they look for in interviews? I hope to find out what I can do to improve my chances of being invited back for training. I'm very outgoing, personable, enthusiastic, & I LUV to have fun; there are other qualities I can offer, one being that I'm fluent & still gaining fluency in American Sign Language. I have a lot of determination & want to work for SWA, but now my determination has gone way down. :(
Leah,
I am sorry that the interview process did not go as you hoped. We receive over 250,000 resumes a year for about 3000 open positions so I know it can be frustrating. If you will email me at jeff.lamb@wnco.com we can visit.
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff. I just sent you an email!
Hi Jeff I had a group interview today in PHL. It was for operation agent, i never would have applied for that because I would like to be a fa, I have figured out pay wise what it would cost for commute and what I will bring home not to my advantage. I have placed so many apps in for FA and have done again today, If I get chosen for interview do you tjink that they can apply my group interview towards my FA interview and do my one on one in February or can you find out the status on my applications for FA?
Donna, one of our Inflight Recruiters would be happy to answer that question for you and any others you might have regarding the Flight Attendant process. Call 214-792-4000 and ask to speak to our Inflight Recruiter.
I have a question, but rirst I'll say this: I've interviewed 4 times for FA (2 Groups & 2 One-on-Ones), twice for CSA, & twice for RSA; unfortunately, I wasn't picked for training for any position. :( I've never heard after my second FA (the more recent one), CSA, & RSA interviews what I can do to improve my chances of being invited for training. My question is-why can't people who weren't invited for training (for whatever position) be on a list for alternates if their interview went well? I noticed after I got my letter after my second FA interview last year that SWA was no longer hiring for that position, but later saw they were again; if people, let's say, didn't complete training, why can't they have those who had a good interview come back for training? I also noticed you're no longer hiring (at least for now) for RSA in OKC, which is where I interviewed, & that you're still accepting resumÃ
I was hoping someone couls shed some light on the ramp agent salaries. I understand that after a year a ramp agents hourly rate is bumped up to 10.18hr. but what after that? I would think that there might be a "top out" mark too. So after maybe 10 years you top out at x-amount. Does anyone know?
Thanks.
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