Ramp Supervisor
Ramp supervisors for ramp agents or baggage handlers who work ‘behind the scenes’ at an airport. The supervisors lead teams who are responsible for loading and unloading baggage and other cargo on and off aircraft and for the movement of luggage around an airport.Supervisors have to make sure that their teams are adhering to regulations and maintain high standards of health and safety. They also make sure that their teams keep to planned schedules so that they carry out their work on time and as required by the airlines and airports that they work for.
Ramp supervisors may also provide training and support for new team members, ensuring that they are competent in their work.
Starting salaries for ramp supervisors are around £18000. this can rise with experience and can also depend on the responsibilities involved and the scope of the ground services operations that they are delivering.
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Working environment
Ramp supervisors spend most of their time ‘airside’ (the area where aircraft are parked up outside of a terminal). They also spend time in the airport terminals in the areas where baggage and other cargo is processed and loaded for movement or for return to passengers.The environment in which they work can be very noisy, and is also potentially dangerous. This means that they must always wear ear defenders, high visibility clothing and safety shoes. They must always wear their company identification at all times.
Ramp supervisors work with their teams in shifts, usually of around 8 hours, including working at night and on weekends and bank holidays.
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Skills and interests
Ramp supervisors need a wide range of skills including:-- attention to detail and the ability to follow detailed plans and schedules
- planning and organisation
- leadership and motivation
- strong communication including the ability to deliver instructions clearly.
Ramp supervisors also need to be physically fit, as they will still undertake ramp/baggage handling work and be required to lift and move baggage.
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Entry into the role
Most ramp supervisors work their way up from the position of baggage handler/ramp agent. They are employed by airport ground services/handling companies or in some case by airports and airport authorities.In general, ramp supervisors should at least have GCSEs (or national equivalent) in English and maths. Applicants for the role must undergo criminal records checks and medical tests to ensure that they are physically healthy for the job. Additionally, some employers will require that applicants have a valid driving licence.
Vacancies for the role can be advertised on individual company websites and on specialist aviation recruitment websites. They may also be advertised through airport job centre and websites.
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Opportunities
Ramp supervisors are able to progress their careers to take on more responsibility for the planning and monitoring of ramp services. They can become ground operations managers or move into airport/airside management. They can also take on more in-depth training roles.There are industry related qualifications that ramp supervisors are able to take:
- City & Guilds level 2 diploma in the aviation environment
- Edexcel level 3 award, certificate and diploma in aviation operations
- NVQ level 2 in providing aviation operations on the ground (managed by City & Guilds and EAL)
- NVQ level 3 in coordinating aviation operations on the ground (managed by City & Guilds and EAL).Go Back
Useful links
Go BackCase Studies
AVIATION - baggage handling duty manager
View an interview with Tony Marshall from Leeds Bradford Airport. (links to Jobs4U careers database)
View case study (external website)