Air Transport Ramp Attendants (NOC 7437)
Description
Air transport ramp attendants operate ramp-servicing vehicles and equipment, handle cargo and baggage and perform other ground support duties at airports. They are employed by airline and air services companies, airport authorities, and the federal government.
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Example Titles
- aircraft groomer
- airport ramp attendant
- cargo attendant, air transport
- ramp agent, air transport
- ramp attendant, air transport
- station attendant, air transport
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Classified Elsewhere
- Airline load planners (in 6433 Airlines Sales and Service Agents)
- Baggage handlers (in 6672 Other Attendants in Accommodation and Travel)
- Material Handlers (7452)
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Duties
Air transport ramp attendants perform some or all of the following duties:
- Drive and operate ramp-servicing vehicles and equipment such as towing tractors, food service trucks, de-icer sprayers and lavatory servicing trucks
- Position passenger loading stairs and operate aircraft cargo doors
- Marshal or tow aircrafts to gate positions for passenger boarding and deplaning and for loading and unloading of cargo
- Sort and load cargo and passenger baggage according to instructions forwarded by load planner to achieve proper balance
- Unload, sort and route cargo and baggage
- Transport freight between aircraft and airport warehouse
- Clean and prepare aircraft interior for passengers and wash aircraft exterior.
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Skills
Air transport ramp attendants need the following skills and characteristics:
Essential skills:
- good oral and listening communication skills
- physical fitness and strength for lifting
- good colour vision
- problem-solving abilities
Technical skills:
- knowledge of safe operating procedures
- ability to drive and operate various vehicles and equipment
- time management skills
- ability to follow instruction
- a basic mechanical aptitude
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Employment Requirements
- Air transport ramp attendants may be required to pass a security clearance.
- A driver's license and a good driving record are usually required.
- Holding a dangerous goods handling certificate or other related training would be an asset.
- High school completion may be required.
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Terms & Conditions
Air transport ramp attendants work both indoors and outdoors, often in adverse weather conditions. The Winnipeg airport is open 24 hours a day, so shift work with rotating days off is the norm. In smaller airports, the hours may be more regular.
The majority of members of this occupational group work full time. This is a male dominated occupation (93%). Most positions with larger airlines are unionized, and terms of employment are governed by a collective agreement between the applicable bargaining agent and employing airline.
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Earnings
$21,600 per annum - starting
$31,800 per annum - average
$44,700 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
- Airport ramp attendants are trained on-the-job.
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Career Paths
Air transport ramp attendants are employed by airline and air services companies and the federal government. Persons may enter this occupation with experience operating baggage transporting equipment or handling material in a warehouse.
Advancement to positions of greater responsibility such as passenger agent, cargo agent, or to other administrative positions is possible with experience.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for air transport ramp attendants are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Thre number of people employed in this occupation in Manitoba is estimated at 360 in 2010.
An expanding global economy that requires international business travel and the movement of manufactured goods world-wide should increase the volume of air traffic and ensure the ongoing requirement for air transport ramp attendants. An aging population with more leisure time to travel and an increasing focus on airport security will likely create opportunities for this occupational goup as well. The expansion of the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, which will be completed in 2010 and the development of the adjacent business park are expected to increase the volume of business.
The majority of air transport ramp attendants (69%) work in Winnipeg, however there are also positions with smaller airports elsewhere in Manitoba. Employment is concentrated in the Transportation and Warehousing industry (86%), followed by Wholesale Trade (7%), Accomodation and Food Services (3%) and Public Administration (Armed Forces - 3%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.