American Airlines Position Descriptions

Supplemental Aviation Career information

Position Description

Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics are involved in troubleshooting aircraft engines and systems, repairing and replacing components or parts. Employee must have the ability to accomplish structural repairs. Must possess FAA Airframe and/or Powerplant licenses.

Ground Service Equipment Mechanic
The auto mechanic services and repairs ground service equipment including portable stairs, fuel and food trucks, towing tractors, aircraft tugs, man lifts, APU's, company automobiles, and employee buses.

Cabin Serviceman
Cabin Service employees perform interior cabin cleaning, cabin supply set-up and lavatory tank servicing on all types of aircraft. They also collect and remove trash from passenger, cockpit and galley areas, empty trash containers and ashtrays, and sweep and vacuum floors. They also perform janitorial work in American facilities and offices.

Customer Service Representative
These employees deal directly with the customers at airport locations. Duties involve answering questions on schedules and fares, on aircraft, handling service irregularities, and process minor claim settlements. Representatives at the smaller stations perform all American functions at the airport. Additional duties include baggage and cargo handling, dispatching of aircraft, air freight sales and service, and other miscellaneous assignments.

Fleet Service Clerk
Fleet Service Clerks perform important operational activities in any of the following areas: cabin service, line cargo and air freight. Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be able to operate standard transmission vehicles, and lift 70 pounds.

Flight Attendant
Flight Attendants are responsible for the safety of the passengers. Duties include food and beverage service, assisting passengers and providing leadership during flight irregularities. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and a secondary education. Customer service experience is also a plus. You must be at least 19-years-old, be able to swim at least 90 feet, read, write and speak the English language fluently and have vision correctable to 20/30 or better. Height and weight must be in proportion and your height must be between 5’2"-6’0".

Although your primary responsibility is passenger safety, you will also assist with the boarding of the aircraft, provide beverage and/or food service during flight and maintain a friendly, courteous, caring atmosphere, establishing a positive image in the eye of the passenger. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, two years college and/or two years public contact experience. Friendly outgoing personality with neat, well-groomed appearance. Your weight must be in proportion to your height. Your height must be between 5’2" to 6’0". Your vision must be at least 20/50 in each eye and you must be willing to relocate.

We are pleased you have expressed an interest in becoming an American Airlines Flight Attendant. American's commitment to quality customer service and employee work life has earned our airline a reputation as the world in-flight service leader. American Airlines flight attendants are an important part of our quality product and in more than 60 years of flying, we have sought to employ the very best people to serve our valued customers. In the words of American Airlines, we strive to:

"Treat every customer with dignity and respect - to make each person feel like the most important person in the world."

We are currently seeking friendly, service-oriented people who take pride in their performance and appearance. The following information will acquaint you with our qualifications, recruitment process, and training.

Age
Applicants must be at least 20 years of age.

Education/Work Experience
High school diploma or GED, plus at least two years post-high school education or public contact work experience. Customer service work experience is preferred.

Citizenship
United States citizen or already possess the legal right to work in the U.S. including the right to travel to/from the countries American Airlines serves.

Relocation
Willing and able to relocate to any of our flight attendant bases, located in Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, New York City, NY, San Francisco, CA, and Washington, DC.

Physical Requirements
Able to lift, push and pull heavy articles as required. Able to reach all emergency equipment on all aircraft types. Not to exceed a height maximum of 6'2".

Language
Able to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Fluent conversational ability in languages spoken in our destination countries is preferred. Qualified language speakers earn additional money for assigned Domestic and International routes and are required to serve a commitment of up to one year once assigned to a base. We are actively seeking individuals who have fluent conversational ability in Japanese and/or Portuguese as well as other languages.

Training
Those selected for training must attend an unpaid 6 1/2-week training program conducted at American Airlines Training and Conference Center in Dallas/Fort Worth. While in training, candidates will participate in open discussions on American Airlines Customer Service philosophy and attend classes on in-flight service, aircraft familiarization and emergency procedures. Accommodations and meals are provided by American Airlines. Trainees should have $1,500-$2,000 available for incidental expenses incurred during training and for relocation to the assigned base. Travelers Checks may be cashed at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center in small denominations. Base assignments are awarded in order of seniority just prior to graduation based on operational needs. Seniority within each class is determined by birth date.

Uniforms
Initial uniforms are issued during training and purchased by new hire flight attendants via payroll deduction at $20.00 per paycheck.

Company Benefits
Once training is successfully completed, new flight attendants are eligible for the full benefits package. This includes: comprehensive health insurance, profit sharing, unlimited (space available) travel privileges for employee, spouse and children after 6 months of service, and 16 one-way travel passes each year for family and friends. A 401K plan and credit union membership are available for those who wish to join.

Career Development
A Career Development Program is available for employees seeking advancement opportunities within the Company.

Transfers
Flight attendants must complete a 6-month probationary period at their assigned base. Requests to transfer to another base are considered after completion of the 6-month probationary period and are awarded in system seniority order, depending on operational needs.

Salary
All flight attendant wages, both Domestic and International, are governed by the contract agreed upon between American Airlines and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and are competitive with other major airlines. Annual increases are based on Company anniversary dates as specified in the contract. Expense money is paid for each hour a flight attendant is away from home base. Hotels on layovers are provided by American Airlines. The pay rate for an International flight assignment is slightly higher than Domestic and, if vacancies exist, is awarded by seniority bid.

Flight Officer
Flight Officer employment requires a minimum age of 21, and 350 hours in Fixed Wing Aircraft as a pilot in command or co-pilot. You must be a high school graduate and have a FAA Commercial Certificate (ASEL) or (AMEL) with instrument rating. Vision can be no worse than 20/100 correctable to 20/20. Height must be sufficient to operate all aircraft controls. Second Class FAA Medical Certificate and ability to obtain First Class Certificate is necessary. If you are nit a U.S. citizen, you must be a registered alien with a legal right to accept U.S. employment. Prior to commencing training, those selected must possess a Flight Certificate or must have passed the FAA Flight Engineer written examination (FEB and FEJ, or FEX).

Food Service Employee
Food Service Employees are responsible for the cleaning of flight kitchen utensils, equipment and facilities. They also operate dishwashing equipment and packaging equipment. Duties also include setting up meal trays and the preparation of salads, sandwiches and other cold dishes.

Baggage Handler, Ground or Station Attendant
A baggage handler, and air cargo handler loads and unloads passenger baggage, and containers of airmail, air express, and air cargo shipments. Baggage handlers are the people who make sure luggage arrives according to its final destination tag, on time. The baggage handler is responsible for sorting, stacking baggage on specified carts or conveyors to see that it gets to its proper destination. They also load cargo containers on and off planes.

Mechanics
Mechanics perform their duties according to FAA, aircraft manufacturers and company regulations, specifications, procedures and instructions. They are required to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft and their components while in service or undergoing overhaul and/or modification. Two specific types of mechanics include Line Maintenance Mechanics and Maintenance Base Overhaul Mechanics. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. FCC Second Class Radiotelephone license, or higher, for bench mechanic duties in Avionics Maintenance at their Maintenance and Engineering Center. Valid state motor vehicle drivers license, 24-36 months accreditable work experience and/or education.

Passenger Service Agent
Passenger Service Agents promote and sell air travel, provide travel information, complete reservations for passengers, prepare and issue tickets, meet and dispatch flights, administer seat passengers and the collection of tickets. Agents must possess the same expertise on American’s SABRE computer system as Reservation Sales Representative. The position requires extensive public contact. Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, two years of college and/or two years of public contact experience and obtain a well-groomed appearance. Have above average oral communication skills, type 35 words per minute and be able to lift 50 pounds.

Pilot
Pilots have the opportunity to fly the most technologically modern fleet of aircraft in the industry. Minimum qualifications include a college degree or its equivalent, being able to read, write, fluently speak and understand the English language. Weight must be in proportion to height, height being between 5’4"-6’5", and vision corrected to 20/20. Flying time commensurate with other qualifications. Certificates, ratings, permits: FAA Commercial License (multi-engine) with an instrument rating, no limitations -OR- Current Air Transport Pilot Rating (multi-engine). Flight Engineer Basic and Turbojet or FEX written examinations passed within the past 24 months -OR- Valid Turbojet Flight engineer Certificate. Valid FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit. Valid First Class FAA Certificate, and you must be willing to relocate.

Programmer Trainees Opportunities in computer programming are extensive and include problem analysis, program specifications and coding and testing of application software supporting their marketing and flight systems. Minimum qualifications are an aptitude for programming, a bachelors degree in Computer Science, Math or Information Systems with a three hour minimum course in IBM 360/370 Assembly language -OR- One to two years IBM 360/370 programming experience in Assembly.

Ramp Service
Ramp Service work consists of loading and unloading cargo, mail freight, baggage, and food services and supplies from the airplanes. Performing this work, employees must operate a variety of motorized equipment requiring a high degree of operating skills. They also perform baggage handling by using sophisticated and computerized baggage equipment.

Reservation Sales Representatives
Reservation Sales representatives answer telephone inquires regarding fares, schedules, special services, and make reservations for air travel tours, car rentals and hotel reservations. The environment is computer oriented and the emphasis is on producing sales.

These employees must be knowledgeable and skillful in making reservations on American and other carriers as well as hotel accommodations, car rentals, theatre tickets and other travel related services which may be requested through the use of SABRE. Along with assisting passengers with their travel needs, representatives quote fares, provide flight information and frequently resolve difficulties associated with a passenger’s travel. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, two years college and/or two years public contact experience, type 35 words per minute and have an excellent telephone manner.

Sales Representative
These employees are responsible for selling American seats and related services to travel agencies and corporate communities. Emphasis is on increasing American market share in managing a territory of accounts representing millions of dollars in revenues to American.

Secretarial & General Clerical
Secretarial and Clerical duties include word processing reports and correspondence primarily on IBM PC equipment, maintaining files, compiling statistical data, handling reception and telephone responsibilities and operating a wide variety of business machines. Shorthand and typing skills are required.

Qualified applicants may obtain positions as Records Clerks, Clerk Typists, Secretaries, Word Processors and many other positions of a clerical nature. You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, type at least 50 words per minute, have prior business experience and some positions may require shorthand at a minimum of 90 words per minute with word processing capabilities.

Wages and Benefits

Salaries and benefits can vary. For an updated look at salaries in the aviation industry, view the Avjobs.com Salary Report.

Opportunities for Advancement

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Outlook for the Future

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Training

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Miscellaneous

American Airlines Position Descriptions, Duties, Responsibilities and Working Conditions.

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