Anyone work for US Airways, or any airline, at Skyharbor? What's it like? (Phoenix: utilities)

[HarveytheRabbit]

What do you think would be some of the best types of jobs to look for in the airline world? Something that makes the work day go by quickly. Maybe reservations, call center or gate check-in attendant, baggage handler? But being outside would be bad though.

What are the benefits like at these jobs? Can you and your family really fly for free? Are the full time positions hard to come by? Whats the work culture like at an airport? Is it easy to move up in these companies, could you move to management if you first start as a laborer?
Thanks

[phxgreenfire]

I'm very close with someone who works for them, and I worked in the travel industry too.

How happy you would be with a lot of the positions you mentioned will depend on your personality. If you really enjoy customer service, you might like those. However, those positions can be very stressful and irritating.

Competition for these jobs is usually high because of the perceived benefits. I think Delta was trying to hire a few hundred flight attendants several months ago, and received tens of thousands of applications... which actually crashed their system. You do get travel benefits... but the pay is notoriously low. I also think if you want to fly to an international destination, you might have to pay a discounted fare PLUS airport taxes. Those taxes can get nasty. For example, leaving August 15, returning August 22, taxes on Phoenix to London Heathrow are $566.80, Phoenix to Sydney are $678.10, Phoenix to Hong Kong are $418.30. You might be able to fly throughout the US free though. And you can add people to your flight benefits, but they can fly free only on US Airways. They would have to pay a fare plus taxes for other airlines. In sum, with day-to-day expenses you would have in Phoenix (food, housing, utilities, debt, etc.) you might not make enough to go to those places, unless you live with family or roommates, OR if you can manage to keep your expenses down.

If you want, I can ask him any other questions you have and tell you through DM.

*Edit: I forgot to mention, those tickets for you or friends/family aren't the same as paying for a ticket regularly, as they are not confirmed seats. In other words, you would be flying standby, your seat contingent on available seats on that plane.