I love to travel, but really have no budget for much of it. I try to squeeze out every penny I can to do it. I sell stuff on eBay, consignment shops, etc...

I am just a regular person who doesn't fly enough to get any/many miles. We don't spend a lot on credit cards, so that wont work.

Here is my question.....I have an opportunity to work as a Part Time Ground Service Agent (ok, baggage handler) for an airline.

I know its a goofy question, but would you do it???

Do you get flight benefits from the job?

If you would benefit from the income, and this job provides the best return for your time, in whatever form that return takes, why not take the job?

A job is a job, imho. If you have interest in it or it can boost your resume then do it. If not, then don't.

If you need the coin, and its a job you enjoy.. go for it.. frequent flyers need reliable grounds keepers.

and if you take the job please don't throw the luggage around, drop it from the plane or smash it on the cart... all too often I see this happening whether from the terminal or the airplane window, it makes me cringe!


I dread flying to France for example... so far Air France has bought me two Samsonite bags after mine were damaged beyond repair en-route.

If it is a job that you believe you'll enjoy then go for it. If it is not something you believe is not suitable for you then forget it even if there are perks to being able to fly at a discount. Having a decent job that you believe will bode well for your present and future should be your priority.

Firstly go for it - a job is a job. I live 5 miles from a small UK airport and have often thought that it would be an intesting place to work, if my current job heads south.

In the UK we have just had a comedy series on TV called 'Come fly with me'. This features Walliams and Lucas in a variety of characters around an airport, various stereotypes highlighted to the max.

One character is a guy who gets a job as a burger bar assistant in an airport to fulfill his dream of being a pilot. He unfortunately has no qualifications and is scared of flying so doesn't get the job. He then resigns to pursue his ambition to be an astronaut (seen leaving the building in his underwear because he had to give his uniform back).

I always wanted to be one of those people; with the orange lights who directed the planes. Not really living close enough to an airport to make that happen (thought it would be a good part time summer job) dot dot dot.

If it's something you are interested in, if the pay fits what you need, and all that, then go for it. It is not an easy job, you are constantly moving up to 50 or 70 lb things all day, and depending on where you are located, if you are outside loading and unloading planes, it can be wet, cold, etc.

There are tons of threads about maximizing your miles. I know personally after I switched my debit card to one that earns miles I was amazed how many things started adding up to earn miles. Look at what you spend money on, even the boring monthly bills, and see if you can't somehow earn miles from them.

Good luck whichever way you choose.

No first hand experience, but I met a DL ramper at a bar in SEA a several years ago and he told me he could travel basically anywhere nonrev on little to no notice. I don't remember what he said the restrictions were, but it seemed pretty generous. He was a FT employee though.

I have tons and tons of time off due to the schedule I work, and I thought about picking up a PT job as a ramp agent for the flight perks and to help stay in shape a few years ago... but decided against it when I got a raise and the overtime at work picked up again

The kid in me still wants drive the tug and push back a 772 or something though...

I used to be a rampie. I loved it. An out of shape female that got used to 50+ pound bags in less than a month. Started part time. Flew everywhere for free.

Just make sure that your job allows you to fly. Some of the contract workers do not get the free flights. And I, personally, do not think the job is worth it without the free flights.

But that part is up to you!

I have an interview next Friday... It's part-time and I am a mom with kids in college now. Guess being 'stay at home" doesn't make too much sense anymore! I made sure it included the flight perks.

We'll see how the interview goes and if it does seem like something I can/want to do I'll give it a go!

Thanks for all your input! I'll post how it goes for anyone else in the future who might do a search on this subject.

J.

That's cool. I remember seeing a pregnant woman in Houston throwing bags around and another one in Alexandria.

You do not state your location but unless the pay is good and the miles free I'd be leery of New York, Illinois or points north in the winter. Terribly cold. I don't know how the folks survive on the apron in Phoenix/Vegas in summer time.

Just sayin...not trying to throw cold water on your dream.

Good to see that you're healthy and up for the job! Travel perks will help especially if you've got some time.

Plus, I think you'll take care of the luggage a bit more than the brutes back there so here's hoping you get the job.^

Are you hire directly by an airline or by a contract company for an airline ? If it is a contract company as a part time worker, you may get ZERO flight benefits.

My son was a ramper for a while. It is Very hard work. You should be in good shape if you choose this job and be prepared for some strain on arms--those bags can be quite heavy.
Weather is also a question as you are outside in all kinds and should be able to get to work in bad weather and soldier through cold.
But the whole family loved having the temporary flight privileges and traveled a lot during that period. A friend who still has flight privileges with Delta tells me that it is much harder to get flights nowdays since the number of flights has gone down. I suggest that if that is your main reason for taking the job, that you try to talk to folks with that airline who are on the ramp ( low priorority if recent seniority) and see what their travel luck has been.