Transportation Agents

Career summary

Transportation agents may also be called air import or export clerks, ramp agents, or cargo and freight agents.

Transportation agents arrange shipping for cargo on airplanes. They accept freight from shippers and complete the paper work for shipment. They use computers and scanners to track and record shipments.

Transportation agents record crew names, passengers, flight numbers, and the amount of baggage and freight on a flight. They position ramps for boarding passengers and loading freight on the airplane. They check passenger boarding tickets.

Agents also check imports and exports for tax purposes. They load and unload freight and baggage, or supervise the loading.

After the loading of the airplane is complete, transportation agents verify the passenger and cargo load with the aircraft crew. They send a copy of the flight's contents to the destination airport. They also track shipments in progress.

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bill and Account Collectors
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Customer Service Representatives
• Dispatchers
• Insurance Policy and Claims Clerks
• Order Clerks
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
• Shipping and Receiving Clerks

Military careers

• Transportation Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to transportation agents.

• Prepare paper work for shipment of freight, using computers and scanners. Route freight on first available flight.
• Oversee or participate in loading cargo to ensure even distribution of weight.
• Check import and export documents that list cargo. Categorize items for tax purposes.
• Unload inbound freight and baggage. Notify owners of arrival of shipments.
• Track delivery progress of shipments.
• Arrange for delivery of incoming freight and baggage to customers.
• Position ramp for loading of airplane.
• Remove ramp, and signal pilot that personnel and equipment are clear of plane.
• Obtain flight number, airplane number, and names of crew members from dispatcher. Record data on flight papers.
• Prepare a manifest (listing of contents) showing baggage, mail, freight weights, and number of passengers on the airplane. Send the data to the flight's destination.
• Verify passengers' tickets as they board airplane.
• Track down lost shipments.
• May arrange for insurance coverage for certain shipments or goods.

Common work activities

Transportation agents perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Process information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Use computers
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Analyze data or information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Think creatively
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Document and record information
• Perform administrative tasks

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, transportation agents:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a very high level of social interaction. Agents spend the majority of their time talking to shippers.
• Communicate in person and by telephone and e-mail on a daily basis.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other agents.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations where people might become angry or unpleasant.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for others health and safety.

Physical work conditions

• Often wear a special uniform and badge that identifies them as an airline employee with clearance to work in secure areas.
• Sometimes work indoors in offices, freight handling areas, and passenger terminals. Also work outdoors in the ramp area.
• Are sometimes exposed to sounds of operating aircraft at levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• May share office space with others.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done so that freight is delivered on time. Errors can have serious consequences.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that affect travelers. They often act without consulting a supervisor, but occasionally seek input.
• Determine most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor.
• Work in a moderately competitive atmosphere where daily deadlines must be met.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time. Most work full time.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Transportation agents frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for transportation agents to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for transportation agents to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

Skills and abilities

Transportation agents need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Aviation Operations and Services

Other programs of study to consider

• Logistics and Materials Management
• Office Support
• Transportation Management

Training

To work as a transportation agent, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education beyond high school is required for this occupation. However, courses in business practices, computer, and airline operations courses are valuable.

Training in a second language can be useful and is required in some jobs.

Work experience

Many transportation agents have worked their way up after working as freight dispatchers, airline ramp agents, or ticket agents. This may take a year or two.

On-the-job training

Transportation agents usually learn their skills on the job. You work with an experienced agent who oversees your work. For some tasks, you may receive classroom training. Training may last up to three to six months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be transportation specialists. Training lasts six to nine weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Foreign Language
• Office Procedures

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer applicants who have some related work experience or training beyond high school. Exact requirements vary by employer and position. Some employers require only a high school diploma or equivalent. Others require an associate degree in aviation management. A bachelor's degree may be required for some positions.

Employers also look for applicants who can show they have the ability to solve problems and learn new concepts quickly.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Cargo and Freight Agents 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The agent's level of experience and responsibility also affect wages.

Transportation agents who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

#Between 2014 and 2024, it is estimated that for cargo and freight agents there will be 36 openings annually due to new positions and 68 openings annually from workers leaving this career.

#Updated outlook 06.16 sd

Washington outlook depends on international trade and strength in the domestic economy. Shipping has become a complex national and international business activity. Modern transportation requires technical knowledge of custom laws, cargo regulations, and how cargo is transported.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Freight transport companies
• Airlines
• Courier services

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing faster than average. Passenger and cargo traffic is expected to increase as a result of growth in the population. However, technological advances will limit the number of new jobs that are created. For example, cargo can be tracked more easily because of bar codes that are scanned every time a piece of cargo is moved. This allows customers to track their packages on the Internet instead of calling transportation agents. Customers can also complete their paperwork online which further reduces the need for agents.

Besides job openings created by employment growth, many openings will arise as current agents leave this occupation. Job opportunities may vary from year to year. This is because the demand for air travel changes depending on the strength of the economy.

Other resources

Airforwarders Association 
529 - 14th Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20045
202.591.2456

Airlines for America 
1275 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1300
Washington, DC 20004
202.626.4000

The International Air Cargo Association 
PO Box 661510
Miami, FL 33266-1510
786.265.7011

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America 
1200 - 18th Street NW, #901
Washington, DC 20036
202.466.0222

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Cargo and Freight Agents (43-5011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Cargo Agent (248.367-018) 
• Transportation Agent (912.367-014) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Enterprising/Realistic

COPSystem

• Clerical