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How Do You Become A Station Manager?
I was curious, how is it that station managers get there jobs? What steps do they have to follow. What areas of the airline are mandatory to know, is anything not so important? Is networking involved? Luck of the draw??
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
All of the station managers that I know started at the bottom, either in customer service or as a ramp agent. Then they work their way up to Supervisor, Manager, assistant station manager, station manager. Somtimes the steps can be skipped over. For example, one of my managers here went from being a Manager of Ramp and Operations at a "mega" station to being the station manager at a smaller station. However, he had experience in multiple departments previously.
United 717 heavy, you're facing the wrong way. Any chance you can powerback to get off of my deice pad?
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting Av8rphx (Reply 2): Kissing a** helps too. |
True.
But seriously you have to usually start at the bottom. All the station managers I knew, started as customer service agents, then supervisors, they went from there to station manager as opportunities came around.
Look Up
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting Av8rphx (Reply 2): Kissing a** helps too. |
LOL
My first reaction was that you have to like brownnosing. You brownnose the customers and upper managment.
The only ones you don't brownnose are the employees, buit you get to brow beat them so it works out for you in the end.
A little less Hooah, and a little more Dooah.
Need I say more.RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Also speak the local language helps and rather than brown-nose, be personable!
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Kissing ass might help but so does hard work and dedication.
I am now an airline pilot and a lawyer but started my career in the aviation industry as a Lost and Found agent offloading heavy bags from the baggage belts and tracking lost or stolen bags.
A couple of months later I was upgraded to Customer Service Agent, then Supervisor, then Ground Security Coordinator (GSC) getting my very first training abroad. After two years I was invited to audit Ground and In-flight Services in Mexico and US for a major charter company while at the same time I was assigned, among other co-workers, to lead the Catering division of the company.
Then, finally I was selected to head the station in San Antonio Texas for the now defunct Allegro Airlines. I lived there a bit less than two years and enjoyed the experience to the max. I started my Private and Commecial while living there, came back to Mexico and just before starting to fly professionally I had the chance to be an Instructor giving initial and recurrent training to Customer Services Agents.
It's up to you., kiss some behind or do it the long, satisfactory way.
RM
I am now an airline pilot and a lawyer but started my career in the aviation industry as a Lost and Found agent offloading heavy bags from the baggage belts and tracking lost or stolen bags.
A couple of months later I was upgraded to Customer Service Agent, then Supervisor, then Ground Security Coordinator (GSC) getting my very first training abroad. After two years I was invited to audit Ground and In-flight Services in Mexico and US for a major charter company while at the same time I was assigned, among other co-workers, to lead the Catering division of the company.
Then, finally I was selected to head the station in San Antonio Texas for the now defunct Allegro Airlines. I lived there a bit less than two years and enjoyed the experience to the max. I started my Private and Commecial while living there, came back to Mexico and just before starting to fly professionally I had the chance to be an Instructor giving initial and recurrent training to Customer Services Agents.
It's up to you., kiss some behind or do it the long, satisfactory way.
RM
There are no stupid questions... just stupid people!
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Works best if you start on ramp or CSA. Cross-training works wonders too so you can know all sides of the station's operation. It takes time, and although different airlines have different systems it's basically ramp/CSA to supervisor to station manager. Ramp lead/Operations also comes in between ramp and supervisor.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
I became station manager after winning tender for this position. I was reservation manager before in other airline, but my university grade is airline operations and commerce, which helped me a lot, also knowledge of languages is helping. This year i completed 15th year in this position. Not bad to have job as your hobby. I enjoy every day (almost).
just fly - it is nice
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- Thomsonfly
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RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Hi
Im a turnaround manager for an airline (TCX), and in smaller bases the next stage up for me is service delivery manager (which is the base manager) and thats skipping the jobs 'below' my grade eg ground handling agent and/or airline cabin crew. In larger bases they have Airport managers and duty mangers just depends how big you want your pond to be..... so in all fairness it'd take alot of work and commitment but not far off title wise....
Mark
Im a turnaround manager for an airline (TCX), and in smaller bases the next stage up for me is service delivery manager (which is the base manager) and thats skipping the jobs 'below' my grade eg ground handling agent and/or airline cabin crew. In larger bases they have Airport managers and duty mangers just depends how big you want your pond to be..... so in all fairness it'd take alot of work and commitment but not far off title wise....
Mark
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Get as much experience in as many areas of the operation as possible, check-in, ticketing, lost and found baggage, dispatch, and even cargo if you can. All helps.
Some airlines now do a graduate scheme where you bypass the minor roles, and go straight in as a Duty Manager. I completely disagree with this as you do not know how things work when going straight in at that level, and don't appreciate alot of what is involved in the jobs below you.
Sadly at the airline I work for, they usually just recruit externally from people in similar roles in other airlines, so people from with-in very rarely get a chance to move up the ranks
Some airlines now do a graduate scheme where you bypass the minor roles, and go straight in as a Duty Manager. I completely disagree with this as you do not know how things work when going straight in at that level, and don't appreciate alot of what is involved in the jobs below you.
Sadly at the airline I work for, they usually just recruit externally from people in similar roles in other airlines, so people from with-in very rarely get a chance to move up the ranks
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Thanks all! How important is operations (weight and balance) for the position?? I was told by many station managers that its very difficult to get a station manager position if you do not know weight and balance. Also, I work for a handling company, albeit major, still not an airline directly. Does this provide me with a better oppritunity where i am working with many different airlines, or does lets say working with AC provide me a better oppritunity to move up?? I think the handling company gives me more oppritunity (even though every day is a frustration). I am only 2 years in the industry, but what can I say, Im anxious!!
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
To be honest, a lot of Station Managers never had a college education, they just worked the way up from a cabin cleaner or ramp agent or CSA, and they have a tendency to fear college educated workers, so they often will promote an Illegal Alien Ramp Agent who hardly speaks english as a Duty Manager than agents who hold aviation management or other degrees. Its the hard reality if your talking about airport operations.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
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- dc10s4ever
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RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Basically working your way up through the ranks, show a lot of determination, be professional, and show strong signs of leadership. In 99.9% of cases the airline will require a masters degree at the very least for this type of position as well.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting Dc10s4ever (Reply 14): In 99.9% of cases the airline will require a masters degree at the very least for this type of position as well. |
City Manager or so, maybe yes
But for a Ground Handler or Airline Airport Station Manager, some dont even have college degrees. Its usually a "plus" basis.
You will most likely find a ramp agent with a masters degree than a Station Manager with one.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting Malaysia (Reply 13):
so they often will promote an Illegal Alien Ramp Agent |
I find that rather hard to believe. But yes working hard does help. Strangely to support the statements made here, none of the station managers I know are college educated. They however have been working a rather long time in the airline industry, and all started off as passenger services agents. So with time, they gain some rather invaluable experience and in some ways a college graduate would have to sell him/herself really well to convince the airline to hire them instead. Whats more, openings for positions withiin the airline are usually advertised within the airline and current staff are usually given preference.
Although a college education is always a good thing, the airline industry is a really unique industry, with each airline being unique in themselves. Sometimes a college degree does not take you too far.
By way FLY727, you give a new meaning to live life to the fullest. Slow down dude, you can't do everything. Or can you? ::D Congrats on your accomplishments though.
[Edited 2006-08-22 07:22:12]
Look Up
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- MSYtristar
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RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
It really just depends on the airline. At Frontier, they had several levels...and those always had to be followed: CSA ---> Coordinator ---> Supervisor ---> City Manager.
You need to have at least several years of front line experience plus a working knowledge of budgets, strong leadership and organizational skills, plus a strong work ethic. It's more involved than one would think.
I've seen managers as young as 22, and as old as 75, so it really just depends on the individual, and what they hope to achieve.
You need to have at least several years of front line experience plus a working knowledge of budgets, strong leadership and organizational skills, plus a strong work ethic. It's more involved than one would think.
I've seen managers as young as 22, and as old as 75, so it really just depends on the individual, and what they hope to achieve.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting Dc10s4ever (Reply 14): In 99.9% of cases the airline will require a masters degree at the very least for this type of position as well. |
For Station Manager?! No. Certainly Not.
A college BA in buisness is perfered but not even required for Station Manager positions at UA. Of course since you start as Ramp or CS Supervisor and work your way to Station Manager getting your degree along the way is probably expected.
I don't think, if I remember correctly, UA looks for an MBA until you get to VP level unless its a highly specialized job like accounting or similar definatly NOT a requirment for Station Manager.
A little less Hooah, and a little more Dooah.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting UALPHLCS (Reply 18): I don't think, if I remember correctly, UA looks for an MBA until you get to VP level unless its a highly specialized job like accounting or similar definatly NOT a requirment for Station Manager. |
UAL has started looking for Ramp/CS Supervisors (not the leads, I mean the "supervisors") who have never been in a union cause they dont want union influences often.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
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- dc10s4ever
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RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting UALPHLCS (Reply 18): For Station Manager?! No. Certainly Not. A college BA in buisness is perfered but not even required for Station Manager positions at UA. Of course since you start as Ramp or CS Supervisor and work your way to Station Manager getting your degree along the way is probably expected. |
Guess it is an AA thing. When I check station manager openings in CDP, it always states Masters Degree Required.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting RicardoFG (Reply 12): Thanks all! How important is operations (weight and balance) for the position?? I was told by many station managers that its very difficult to get a station manager position if you do not know weight and balance. Also, I work for a handling company, albeit major, still not an airline directly. Does this provide me with a better oppritunity where i am working with many different airlines, or does lets say working with AC provide me a better oppritunity to move up?? I think the handling company gives me more oppritunity (even though every day is a frustration). I am only 2 years in the industry, but what can I say, Im anxious!! |
Hi Ricardo, hope weather is good at YYZ!!!
It is not bad working for a ground handling company (old SA/GG) as it gives you a big spectrum of what goes on behind the doors with all these different airlines as no airline is like the other......... 2 years is not bad to start but I would try to get different positions within your current employer and try to get as much knowledge as possible (free education), a BA or something similar always helps, study a little labour laws, union.......
Always keep your ears open and see if a airline in YYZ has perhaps a entry level management position open................. and see what happens.
One last thing, never burn your bridges with your old/new employer if you want to move up the ladder................
Good luck
Cheers,
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting Malaysia (Reply 19): UAL has started looking for Ramp/CS Supervisors (not the leads, I mean the "supervisors") who have never been in a union cause they dont want union influences often. |
Of course! UAL doesn't really want people who can DO the job. It's much better to hire some unknown off the street so long as the compnay can control them.
Makes perfect sense to me!
(please note the sarcasm)
A little less Hooah, and a little more Dooah.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
All of the managers I know started at the bottom. Typical steps for OH would be Customer Service Agent, Customer Service Lead Agent, Customer Service Supervisor, Station Manager (of a small station).
Work Hard. Fly Right. Continental Airlines
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
I would recommend getting as much experience in as many areas as possible. Having a front-line leadership position in several areas will help also. Maybe being a lead/supervisor on the ramp and then transferring to a similar position in a customer service role. Along the way become express an interest in learning the budgeting process at a local station level and know emergency procedures like the back of your hand.
Essentially, airlines like to promote from within as much as possible, but by doing so, they expect the person they promote to need minimal training for their new position. Most importantly, let it be known that you have an interest to learn all the facets of the station.
Essentially, airlines like to promote from within as much as possible, but by doing so, they expect the person they promote to need minimal training for their new position. Most importantly, let it be known that you have an interest to learn all the facets of the station.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
Most station managers that I know have started at the bottom. That does not mean anyone can reach that level. The best ones have excellent people skills. You have to be really good at manipulating people in a positive way in order for your operation to function.
RE: How Do You Become A Station Manager?
| Quoting Malaysia (Reply 19): UAL has started looking for Ramp/CS Supervisors (not the leads, I mean the "supervisors") who have never been in a union cause they dont want union influences often. |
Most of the supervisors I worked around came right from the Union leadership. That's what gets me. They are die-hard union guys in their first part of their careers, then they just switch over to management. Thats why I don't trust the union at my job, and management.
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