Weather experts, communications people, and flights dispatchers must plan the flight an provide all the necessary information about conditions likely to be encountered along the route. The flight crew, headed by the captain, must operate the aircraft, while flight attendants tend to safety requirements and cabin service needs of the passengers. Many of the skills of the men and women of the airlines are put to work long before flight time, in some cases even before the potential passenger or shipper has decided to use air transportation. Sales forces of each airline make known the special passenger and cargo services that airlines offer. Highly trained reservationists help people plan their trips.
Agents issue tickets, handle baggage, and then check both at flight time.
Ground operations people handle the loading of the aircraft and fueling operations, keeping precise records to make certain that the load is properly distributed in the aircraft. Other people develop new schedules or carry out the long-range research and planning needed to improve and expand an airline's services. And, in each case, a group of executives must administer and coordinate the employment of a company's expensive equipment and varied employee skills. While the educational requirements for airline careers vary,depending on the job, airline personnel officers emphasize that a young man or woman interested in an airline career should understand the importance of a good high school education and, depending upon the job, college studies or other specialized training. Correct and forceful expression in writing and speaking is important in the airline business, especially in sales and service jobs.