The airport ground agent or welcome agent ensures the reception and care of tourists and airport travelers.
But what if we let Vicky, Véronique, and Thy tell us more about their workdays and their journey as ground agents?
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What is the role of a ground agent?
Vickie: As a ground agent at the airport, I handle my days welcoming visitors, informing tourists, and responding to customer requests.
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Véronique: I am responsible for welcoming and guiding passengers during boarding, disembarking, and connections.
Thy: As a ground agent, I take on several tasks: requesting passenger reservations, verifying their identity, checking luggage weight, guiding passengers, assisting disabled individuals, checking boarding passes, and ensuring compliance with airport security regulations.
What do you like most about your job?
Vickie: I love meeting tourists and foreigners. I enjoy using foreign languages every day. I speak English, Arabic, and a little Chinese!
Véronique: My job allows me to travel vicariously. Plus, I work with a very nice team, and the atmosphere is good.
Thy: What I appreciate is that there are development opportunities in the company I work for, which is a subcontractor for the largest airlines. I can then become a commercial agent or a ground manager, for example.
What do you like least about your job?
Vickie: You have to prepare for atypical hours. You need to be very available. Personally, I mainly work evenings and weekends, but generally, the teams rotate.
Véronique: It is absolutely necessary to have transportation, as airport areas are usually located outside the city. Don’t rely too much on public transport to get to work. Unfortunately, there are often delays or strikes, and punctuality is essential in our profession.
Thy: I will be honest, there isn’t much I dislike about my job; otherwise, I wouldn’t do it. I enjoy meeting people, being dynamic, moving around, and advising others. Maybe the pay is a bit low compared to the high availability that is required.
What qualifications are required to work in this profession?
Vickie: There are many! You need to be versatile, helpful, attentive, and dynamic.
Véronique: A good ground agent is someone who masters several foreign languages or at least English and must be rigorous.
Thy: You need to know how to remain calm in the face of unforeseen events and the annoyance of some passengers. Finally, good organizational skills are preferable.
What training is required to become a ground agent?
There are several training programs:
- Professional title of ground agent
- BTS in sales and tourism production
- DUT in marketing techniques
Is there a ground agent competition?
None.
Are there ground agent schools?
Besides vocational high schools, training can be prepared at Greta or AFPA.
What is the salary of a ground agent?
The salary of a beginner ground agent is around 1,500/1,900 euros gross per month with bonuses.
What advice would you give to people who want to pursue this profession?
Vickie: Never forget, your main role being the reception of passengers, you must adopt a very professional attitude and impeccable presentation.
Véronique: Specific training is essential to obtain a contract in this profession. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Employment Center.
Thy: It’s a job that requires a lot of sacrifices: late hours, sometimes unmotivating pay, and good stress management. On the other hand, you will come away enriched by the encounters and experiences.
Tag: become a ground agent