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Career Details : Cargo and Freight Agents

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Description

Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Oversees or participates in loading cargo to ensure completeness of load and even distribution of weight.
  • Removes ramp and signals pilot that personnel and equipment are clear of plane.
  • Verifies passengers' tickets as they board plane.
  • Unloads inbound freight and baggage and notifies consignees of arrival of shipments.
  • Prepares airway bill of lading on freight from consignors and routes freight on first available flight.
  • Positions ramp for loading of airplane.
  • Obtains flight number, airplane number, and names of crew members from dispatcher and records data on flight papers of airplane.
  • Prepares manifest showing baggage, mail, freight weights, and number of passengers on airplane and teletypes data to destination.
  • Forces conditioned air into interior of plane for passenger comfort prior to departure, using mobile aircraft air-conditioning unit.
  • Arranges for delivery of freight and baggage to consignees.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Consequence of Error
    • Special Uniform
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Standing
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