Career Counselor - Entry-level Travel Jobs

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November 3, 2002

Career Counselor
Entry-level Travel Jobs
SUSAN W. MILLER, M.A, Special to The Times

Question: I am interested in getting into an entry-level job in the travel and tourism industry. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for me.
— Linda

Response: You could consider becoming a reservations or ticket agent, also known as passenger service agents.

Reservation agents schedule and confirm reservations by telephone or computer and prepare tickets or contracts at the request of customers. They determine space availability and offer suggestions on travel arrangements including routes, time schedules, rates, and types of accommodation.

As car rental agents, they rent automobiles and talk with customer to determine type of automobile, location for pick up and return of automobile, and number of days needed for rental. Car rental agents quote costs, and explain rental policies and procedures.

Employment Outlook
While above average growth is projected through 2008 for reservation agents, the increased use of on-line ticketing, may result in fewer position openings.

Ticket and reservations agents are employed by transportation companies such as airlines, car rental companies, and/or cruise companies. Currently, many experienced agents are on layoff status, so outlook is poor for entry-level applicants.

Larger companies employ both ticket agents and reservations agents, while smaller companies may hire only ticket agents who perform both duties. Some ticket agent jobs are available only through promotion from reservation agents.

Reservation agents work in central offices at desks with telephones and computer terminals. Ticket agents may work at check-in counters.

Salary Range
In Los Angeles entry level reservations and ticket agents earn from $22,000 to $30,000 per year and part time hourly positions are available at a pay rate of from $8.25 to 9.75 per hour, depending on the airline.

Training Options & Costs
A high school diploma, GED, or an equivalent is usually required for entry level positions but completion of related coursework may enhance one's employability. Several local community colleges offer classes and training for reservations and ticket agents.

Courses include:
• Fares and Ticketing, which identifies airline and airport codes, and how to determine airfares and taxes;
• Internet Travel Research, which provides on instruction on how to navigate and access information from key travel industry web sites.

The colleges also provide various levels of instruction on Apollo and Sabre computer systems, the most widely used by airlines for processing reservations. The cost per course is generally $33.

Long Beach City College
1305 East Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, CA 90806
(562) 938-4353
www.lbcc.cc.ca.us

West Los Angeles College
9000 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 287-4200
www.wlac.cc.ca.us

Los Angeles City College
855 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 953-4000
http://faculty.lacitycollege.edu/
 
Job Resources
There are 42 car rental companies and 76 airlines that operate out of Los Angeles International Airport and 5 car rental companies and 4 airlines that operate out of the Long Beach Airport. Princess Cruises reservation center in Santa Clarita also employs reservations agents. The Los Angeles World Airports website, lawa.org, lists over 50 airlines that fly out of LAX that employ ticket agents.

The following are online resources for jobs in the airline industry, including reservations and ticket agents:

Allied Airline Services
www.alliedsvc.com
This online resource sells materials that helps applicants secure airline and/or cruise line employment. They sell an information guide on how to write a professional resume and cover letter geared toward airline and/or cruise ship positions, which includes interview tips. The guide also provides a listing of openings within the airline industry, including salary, benefits, advancement opportunities, and job duties. The information guide can be purchased online for $24.95 plus $5 shipping and handling.

Avjobs, Inc. & Airline Employment Assistance Corp.
P.O. Box 630830
Littleton, CO 80163
Fax (888) 624-8691
www.avjobs.com
E-mail: info@avjobs.com
This is an online career resource that provides employment assistance for jobs in the aviation industry. The three types of membership offered are Resume, Basic (job search only), and Applicant System Subscription (job search plus resume services) with an option to indicate job category including reservations. The monthly subscription fee for Resume membership is $10, for a Basic membership is $19.95 and for an Applicant System subscription is $24.95.

The following is a listing of some airlines with websites that provide an online listing of career opportunities.

Continental Airlines
(800) 444-8414
www.continental.com
 
Alaska Airlines
(800) 252-7522
Job Line: (206) 433-3230
www.alaskaair.com
 
United Airlines
Job Line: (888) 825-5627
www.ual.com
 
Princess Cruises
Corporate Headquarters
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 753-0000
Job Line: x77105
www.princess.com
E-mail: careers@princesscruises.com
Contact: Ana DeLa Torre, Reservation Agent Recruiter
They provide an online listing of opportunities for various locations including the Santa Clarita Valley. The various types of positions offered include Customer Service/Call Center, and Facilities/Office Services. For consideration of employment at the headquarters, applicants can forward their resume and cover letter by e-mail.

Egypt Air
Los Angeles Office
9841 Airport Blvd.
Los Angeles CA. 90045
(310) 215-3900
Fax (310) 215-9574
Contact: Mr. Adley
(310) 215-3940
www.egyptair.com

Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.