What is ramp agent

Как работают сервисные службы аэропорта?

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Летать я люблю и летаю я много с тех пор, как перестала бояться летать на самолете. И всякий раз я с почти благоговением смотрю на людей в униформе, которые суетятся вокруг самолета, размахивают флажками и с пониманием перемигиваются.

Я давно подозревала, что все у них происходит по определенной строго отработанной схеме. И действительно, у этих людей есть главный, которого можно метафорично назвать дирижером вылетов – человек, который отвечает за то, чтобы самолет после посадки за очень короткое время – нередко всего около 30 минут – подготовить к обратному вылету и перевозу пассажиров.

Как такой человек называется по-русски, я не знаю – может быть, кто-нибудь из читателей подскажет? Будем называть его сегодня «дирижер».
А в международном пространстве такого человека называют Ramp-Agent.

Самолет заходит на посадку в аэропорту Дюссельдорфа

Задача дирижера – принять самолет на место парковки и отправить на вылет. А между этими двумя моментами разгрузить-загрузить багаж, заправить самолет топливом, высадить прибывших и посадить отправляющихся пассажиров и уладить много других важных пунктов, без которых самолет не может отправиться в полет.

Итак, самолет приземлился и дорулил до места парковки. В этом момент, если вы замечали, капитан говорит в микрофон «Место парковки». После чего все наперегонки отстегивают ремень и вскакивают со своих мест, чтобы потолкаться в узком проходе, пока работники на земле устанавливают тормозные запоры под колеса и подключают самолет к большому черному кабелю – электричеству. Оказывается, это нужно для того, чтобы во время разгрузки-загрузки самолета можно было выключить двигатели.

Когда пассажиры и багаж покинули самолет, начинается загрузка чемоданов новых пассажиров. Этого-то мы и ждем! Но оказывается, когда самолет еще в полете, сотрудники специальной службы аэропорта составляют план складирования багажа с целью оптимального размещения чемоданов и сумок – с точки зрения равномерного распределения веса по багажному отделению. После этого план складирования согласовывается с капитаном судна.

Следующий пункт – заправка самолета. Необходимое количество керосина рассчитывается исходя из количества зарегистрированных пассажиров, веса багажа, длины перелета и погоды. Окончательное решение по этому пункту опять принимает капитан судна.

Между тем дирижер дирижирует уборкой салона и сотрудниками, которые загружают на борт еду, напитки, газеты и дьюти-фри-товары. Дирижер должен проверить, что количество загруженных обедов соответствует числу зарегистрированных на рейс самолетов. Кроме того, дирижер должен постоянно быть в контакте с сотрудниками на регистрации и следить за тем, что если, например, зарегистрировались пассажиры с маленькими детьми или пассажиры в инвалидной коляске, то они должны быть проведены в салон в первую очередь. Кроме того, если кто-то из пассажиров потерялся в дьюти-фри и не пришел на посадку, задача дирижера – найти багаж этого бедолаги и изъять его из самолетного брюха. После того, как все это улажено, дирижер подписывает необходимые бумаги у капитана, захлопывает дверь и убегает дирижировать следующим самолетом. Такой вот концерт. Полетите в следующий раз в Европу, понаблюдайте за дирижером со знанием дела!

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Ramp Agent Interview
Questions

Question 1 of 24

Do you have any experience operating heavy equipment?

While work as a Ramp Agent doesn’t require operating machines that a Heavy Equipment Operator would, the job still entails work on several types of large vehicles and machines. While your interviewer will be able to tell a lot about your work history from your resume/application, they want to hear firsthand from you any experience that you do have. If you don’t have experience working on tractors, front-end loaders, or other large equipment, try to relate to other large or heavy pieces of equipment in your personal or work history. These can include forklifts, large industrial trucks or other pieces you see fit. As you answer, make sure you discuss your ability to train on any equipment that you work with and the confidence you have in doing so.

«While I don’t have direct experience working on traditional heavy equipment like road construction equipment, I currently operate a large Towmotor forklift. Each year, I am required to retest my skills on operating the forklift safely, and I’ve found that picking up on the machine in a safe and efficient manner was very easy. Also, I have experience operating a Bobcat loader that my father-in-law owns and am very comfortable operating that safely as well.»

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Ramp Agent Interview Questions

Do you have any experience operating heavy equipment?

While work as a Ramp Agent doesn’t require operating machines that a Heavy Equipment Operator would, the job still entails work on several types of large vehicles and machines. While your interviewer will be able to tell a lot about your work history from your resume/application, they want to hear firsthand from you any experience that you do have. If you don’t have experience working on tractors, front-end loaders, or other large equipment, try to relate to other large or heavy pieces of equipment in your personal or work history. These can include forklifts, large industrial trucks or other pieces you see fit. As you answer, make sure you discuss your ability to train on any equipment that you work with and the confidence you have in doing so.

«While I don’t have direct experience working on traditional heavy equipment like road construction equipment, I currently operate a large Towmotor forklift. Each year, I am required to retest my skills on operating the forklift safely, and I’ve found that picking up on the machine in a safe and efficient manner was very easy. Also, I have experience operating a Bobcat loader that my father-in-law owns and am very comfortable operating that safely as well.»

Would you consider yourself able to work independently with little direction?

While Ramp Agents do work as part of a larger team for the airline, the job also requires the ability to work independently with ease, with little direction given by a supervisor. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are able to learn quickly on the job, make important decisions on your own, and know when to communicate important issues back to your supervisor when necessary. While professing your confidence in your ability to work independently, try to come up with a past scenario where you were required to work on your own and talk about your ability in that time to learn quickly, make decisions, and communicate what was necessary to others.

«Because I have been doing this for most of my career, I’m very confident in my ability to perform this job independently once trained in the role. In my current role, I often have to work alone in our shop and I’m entrusted to make important decision with customer orders when needed. If any issues come up during my shift, I make sure to either call my supervisor or leave him a note for the following day, as my times working alone are in the late evening and he works the day shift. My current job has helped me become much more confident in my abilities to perform any job, at any time, with no direct supervision.»

Do you have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record?

Working as a Ramp Agent will require you to operate cargo carts, tugs, service trucks and belt loaders. Some pieces of equipment may require you to hold a valid driver’s license. Prior to interview, be sure to read the job description on the requirements surrounding holding one. As you answer this question, let your interview know that you do possess a valid license and then be sure to be open and honest about your driving record. If you are hired for the position, there is a high likelihood that the company will run a background check that includes driving violations, and it is best for your interviewer to learn of any driving violations from you personally during the interview process.

«I do hold a valid state driver’s license and also hold a class B commercial license from my time operating a box truck. I am proud to say that I have never had an at-fault accident, both in my personal time and work time, while driving. Two years ago, I did receive a speeding violation on my personal time that resulted in a simple fine to pay for going 10 miles per hour over the posted limit.»

Working as a Ramp Agent comes with some physical demands. Do you think you are able to handle the physical requirements in this line of work?

Before interviewing or even applying to a job as a Ramp Agent, it is important for you to know of all the physical requirements of the job. The first major physical requirement of the job is the ability to be on your feet for long hours. As a Ramp Agent, you would be spending time on your feet on the tarmac. The second major physical requirement of the job is the ability to lift heavy objects for hours on end. Ramp Agents are required to lift cargo and luggage as they load and unload aircraft, and you’ll need to have the ability to lift up to 100 pounds. As you answer this question, reiterate to your interviewer that you are aware of and can meet the physical demands on the job. If possible, give examples from prior work where you’ve worked under similar conditions.

«I am a person that likes to be on their feet all day, and I can really see myself thriving in this job. In my current role, I am required to lift boxes that can weigh as much as 85 pounds and do so with ease. I also operate a large hand jack to move pallets around and am able to do so without any problems. When I applied for this role, I made sure to read all of the physical requirements of the job and am confident in my ability to do them.»

How do you foresee yourself working in a very fast paced environment as a Ramp Agent?

Life working for an airline is very fast paced with no two days the same, and this is especially true for Ramp Agents. As airline travel becomes more popular year after year, Ramp Agents work in the high stress, fast-paced environment where they ensure that baggage is loaded and unloaded so flights can stay on time throughout the day. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you thrive in a fast-paced environment and you can prove that you do by talking about jobs that you’ve had in the past that were high stress and fast-paced. If you are able to, try to paint a clear picture of a typical fast-paced day and discuss how you handled working in that environment.

«Knowing a member of your team here, I am confident that I would thrive in the fast-paced setting of a Ramp Agent. During my career, I’ve worked both in a large call center and in restaurants, and both of these settings were very fast-paced. As a waiter for a popular restaurant, I was on the move for an entire shift with no time to sit down. Whether taking orders, filling beverages, or cashing out customers, I had to be flexible in my duties and ready to shift on a moment’s notice. If hired here, I foresee myself handling the pace of the work really well.»

How do you assign priorities and manage time in your current job?

With this question, your interviewer is looking to hear about the organizational and time management skills you use in your work. Oftentimes as a Ramp Agent, the workday gets very hectic with multiple things going on at once, and this question allows your interviewer a look into your mind to see how you handle these types of situations. As you answer this question about your current work, be sure to emphasize the thought processes you use to ensure that the most important tasks get done first, while also ensuring that all necessary items are completed in a timely manner.

«In my current work, I use a calendar to be reminded of upcoming meetings and deadlines, as well as daily/weekly to-do lists, by prioritizing the most urgent duties, as per my superior’s requests, to ensure I am on top of things. I review and amend my lists every morning, throughout the day, and in the afternoon before leaving for the day. I fully understand that this job as a Ramp Agent will require a lot of prioritization on the fly, without the help of a handy computer or calculator, and I don’t foresee this being any issue after I am trained on the job.»

What skills do you think are most critical to working as a Ramp Agent?

Always review the job description before the interview to familiarize yourself with the personality traits required from the successful incumbent. Answer this question by mentioning the top three skills from the job posting, if stated, and provide an example of these skills in a professional capacity. Alternatively, provide the top three skills that you possess — and that you believe a Ramp Agent must have — which you believe will highly benefit you in this role. Also provide an example of these skills in a professional setting. It is important going into the interview to know that some skills are teamwork, communication, physicality, safety and mechanical aptitude.

«From my understanding in talking to a few people who are currently Ramp Agents, time management, communication, and physical fitness are crucial for success in this role and upon hearing this, I knew this was the perfect role for me! The position that I’ve held for the last eight years requires me to work in a fast paced environment where time management and communication are crucial. It is also a very physical job that requires long hours on my feet and heavy lifting at times, and I can really excel in that area.»

Have you ever had to perform record keeping duties on the job in the past?

Ramp Agents need to ensure that all cargo and baggage are routed correctly throughout the airport and accurate documentation is vital to ensuring this. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear about any experience that you have in documenting and maintaining records of work that you’ve performed in the past. As you prepare for your interview, think about any duties that you’ve had on the job during your career that involved any sort of documenting of information. Then as you answer, be sure to explain why these duties were essential to your work so your interviewer knows that you take the often mundane tasks of record keeping seriously.

«In my current role in manufacturing, I am required to track the pieces that I handle every day using a scanning tool and barcode system. The process of product tracking at our facility is very important in providing key measures on production. When working, I simply need to scan each piece that I’m working with. When we implemented this system a few years ago, it took a few days to fully integrate this into my work processes, and now it is second nature to me.»

Which responsibility on the job posting do you consider the most challenging, and why?

Tell the interviewer the duty on the job posting that you consider the most challenging and why, by emphasizing some of your strengths or past/equivalent experience that will enable you to nevertheless be successful in this role. Be sure to be smart about why you consider this aspect of the job challenging and explain why you have the tools to overcome it, if hired to be the next Ramp Agent. If possible, try to base your answer on a simple lack of direct experience.

«I think the most challenging aspect of the job will be learning the different types of freight and the system for keeping all freight and luggage on track and on time. Because I’ve never worked in the airline industry and am confident in my abilities to perform in all aspects of the job, this could be a challenge simply because it is new to me. If hired as your next Ramp Agent, I will make learning the processes and systems my top priority from day one on the job and am confident in my ability to do so.»

Working as a Ramp Agent requires mechanical aptitude to help troubleshoot equipment issues on the fly. How would you rate your mechanical aptitude?

As a Ramp Agent, you will be working with many different pieces of mechanical equipment and success in this role will require you to have some knowledge of the ins and outs of mechanical repair and troubleshooting. As you rate yourself, talk about any experience you have working on mechanical issues in vehicles or other mechanical equipment to prove your ability to learn this aspect of the job quickly. Any way you answer, try to impose your confidence in this area to your interviewer and show a willingness to learn more in this job.

«I would rate my mechanical abilities as above average compared to the candidates you are considering for this role. I am very confident in my ability to work on anything gas powered, including motors, transmissions, and carburetors. In my current job, I’ve been trained to troubleshoot mechanical issues on the manufacturing equipment that I work with. If hired for this role, I would be trainable in learning common issues with the equipment that I’d be working with.»

This job as a Ramp Agent will require some basic computer skills. How would you rate your computer skills?

Because work as a Ramp Agent will require you to work on the airline computer system and work with baggage scanners, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have some basic computer skills, as they relate to this job. Talk openly about any experience that you have with different software and computer programs in the work you’ve done in the past. No matter what experience you have, make sure that your interviewer walks away from the interview knowing that you have the ability to learn and thrive on any programs that you will work with in this role.

«I consider myself very computer savvy in both my personal and professional life. On the job, I have worked with point of sale programs, inventory tracking systems and several other online systems in my work. I am very comfortable with learning any new program and can typically do so with ease to the point of being comfortable flying solo in a matter of a few hours.»

Talk about your experience working as part of a larger team. In what role are you most comfortable on a team?

As a Ramp Agent, you would work with a large team of people that ensure the efficient and accurate loading of aircraft. You will be expected to work effectively as part of a larger team. With this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have experience working in a team-based environment. As you answer, try to focus on your interpersonal people skills, communication skills and any leadership type roles you have played in the past. When discussing your comfort level within a team, try to portray yourself as being flexible by talking about times where you’ve both taken the lead on a team and also have taken direction from others.

«In the two jobs that I’ve held out of high school, both have been very team oriented. In my current position, I work as part of a team of 12 people and communication is of utmost importance in our work. I am able to take the lead when needed on some of our duties and am also able to take direction from others when needed. If hired as a Ramp Agent, you can feel comfortable knowing that you would be hiring a team player that has the ability to work effectively with everyone on my team.»

How have you prioritized working under strict safety protocols during your career?

Working as a Ramp Agent involves being surrounded by many potential safety hazards. The job requires heavy lifting, operating machinery, working with hazardous materials, and working in extreme conditions. Because of this, airlines have very specific safety policies and procedures for their frontline staff, including Ramp Agents. While your interviewer isn’t looking for you to know all of the safety protocols of their airline, they will be looking to hear that you are familiar with working under specific safety procedures and that safety is always a top priority for you. As you answer this question, be sure to be very specific when you talk about safety procedures you have followed in previous jobs, and also explain why following those procedures was important.

«In my current position on a road construction crew, safety is always a top priority in my work. The day starts with being dressed in my hi-vis uniform to ensure that motorists we are working around know where we are at any moment. I’ve been trained on all safety protocols on the equipment that I operate and always put safety first when I am operating any piece of equipment. Some of the equipment that I operate can be deadly if not used properly, and my number one goal every day is that my crew walks off the job safely.»

Have you ever had to work in extreme weather conditions in any of your previous positions?

Ramp Agents are required to work outside during all weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, and any other conditions. For this question, your interviewer is simply looking to hear that you understand this aspect of the job and that you are confident in your ability to perform under any condition. If you do have direct experience working in varying conditions, be sure to talk about that with your interviewer. If you don’t have direct experience, that is fine. Just be sure to instill confidence in your interviewer by talking about how you’ll be able to handle the challenges that the environment Ramp Agents work in.

«First and foremost, I am an avid outdoors enthusiast and enjoy being outside in any condition. I know that this role will require me to work outside in any weather and I have been doing this for the last three years in my current job. Whether it is 95 degrees and humid outside or 10 degrees and windy, I have to show up for work each day and be ready to perform. In extreme circumstances, I know to take care of how I dress and prepare for the day to put me in the best position to succeed in the conditions.»

Tell me about an accomplishment that you are the most proud of.

Now giving you the opportunity to brag a little bit, your interviewer will be ideally looking to hear about an on-the-job accomplishment that you are most proud of during your career. As you prepare for this question, make sure that the accomplishment you talk about relates to some aspect of the work as a Ramp Agent, and try to make it clear to your interviewer how this would relate. If you are early in your career and can’t think of a true work accomplishment, it is okay to focus on your personal life or education to prove your character or work ethic to your interviewer.

«Last year, my supervisor asked me to represent our department and be a part of an organization-wide committee focused on quality improvement. He commended me for my error free work over my three years with the company and knew that I would best represent our department on the committee. I was very honored that my focus on the job was recognized, and I can’t say enough how grateful I am for the new learning opportunities I’ve had as part of this committee. If hired as a Ramp Agent, I’ve learned many great quality-related items that I could bring to your team.»

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