Ticket Agent Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How do metra conductors know when a ticket agent is on duty? How do Metra conductors know when a Ticket agent is on duty at outlaying stations and who supervises the ticket agents at outlaying stations?

Answer: I would assume they don't. Recently I took a train from the burbs to Union, and there was no agent on duty at the burb station for me to buy a ticket from. When the conductor came around, he said, "You're supposed to buy your tickets at the station." Then they try to charge you $2 extra for buying it from them. One time a conductor charged me $1 extra, and I wondered if he was just pocketing the extra dollar from people.

Question: Do I need to go to tourism school to become a ticket agent? Does anybody know how to be a ticket agent? I met a tourism college counsellor in vancouver and she strongly insisted that I need to take some courses to work at airport. Do I need any training at college? Please helpT_T thank you.

Answer: No. but couldn't hurt.

Question: What websites or other ways can my mom get a job as a ticket agent in an airline, such as delta or something? My Mom failed to find available jobs as a ticket agent for Delta and etc. She kept searching for jobs and stuff and she just can't find any that she likes. We want to move to Houston, Texas this summer. What can she do that will make her get a job fast! THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT! PLEASE HELP! *Best answer gets 10 points!

Answer: First google the closest airports to Houston - I think there's only the one, but there could be others, I don't know. Often the airport websites will list all the airlines that service that airport. Go to these airlines' websites, they often have sections called CAREERS or EMPLOYMENT, if not, go to CONTACT. Good luck!!

Question: What famous musician was a ticket agent for the Santa Fe Railroad? What famous musician was discovered playing his guitar as he worked as a ticket agent for the Santa Fe Railroad? I think he was working in a depot in New Mexico.

Answer: I know Collin Raye (country singer) was an SP brakeman and Terry Robinson (the Montana Band, all killed in plane crash) was in MOW for the BN.

Question: Should I work as a dishwashwer/waiter at a restaurant in the airport or as a check - in ticket agent? Is anyone familiar with either of these jobs - a dishwasher/waiterat a restaurant or a check-in ticket agent. Im confused as to what a check in agent is, because there are so many listings - Ramp Agent, Gate Agent, Ticket Agent - can anyone provide me with a good description and what each entails - Thanks thanks LC!

Answer: I really think it depends on what your goals are for the future. If this is a job that is a temporary position to get the bills paid while you are attending school, then choose the one that pays better. On the other hand, if this position is something that is a more permanent type of position I would choose the one with the most opportunity to move up. Gate and ticket agents have the ability to move up with in Airlines. They offer wonderful benefits, bonuses and pay. I would choose the gate/ticketing agent over waiting tables/washing dishes anyday. I would think the stress load would be very different too.

Question: I want to be a ticket agent at the airport does anyone know where i can apply and is it a hard job to get ? Do ticket agents make good money? I'm a college student and I know alot of student who have this job is it a hard job to get?

Answer: All the airlines are laying people off, you will never get this job*

Question: How can you become a ticket agent at an international airport? Like San Francisco. and how much do they make an hour.

Answer: Get a job with an airline that operates out of San Fran. They don't pay much but you do get to have people yell at you almost every day. Look up Customer Service or ticket agent under airline jobs on America's Job Bank.com

Question: Does Anyone work for Swissport or Delta as a ticket agent? I need advice? Do you you have experience as a ticket agent for Swissport or Delta - can you tell me which is the better airline to choose and what are the benefits of each job- should I go with Delta or Swissport? what should I expect as a ticket agent in the airport - which shift is better the morning or evening - thanks I appreciate your advice

Answer: Delta Airlines (DL) is a major airline of the United States, while Swissport is not an airline, but a ground handling agent or a general sales agent for an airline. However, if you mean Swiss International Airlines, or LX, (the successor of the now-defunct Swissair), then that is the national airline of Switzerland. If we're talking about Swissport, then I believe that working for DL is better because then you'll be an organic or principal staff and your payroll is that of DL, which would definitely pay more than Swissport. Ground handling agents or general sales agents take their income from commissions given by the airline that they manage. Currently, it is 3% for each ticket sold. So that means that if you work for Swissport, you are an employee of the managing agency for the mother airline and not an employee of that airline. Thus, your travel benefits may be different or substantially less than those hired directly by the principal airline. For example, if Swissport represents Swiss International Airlines (LX) in the United States, then you are an employee of Swissport and not of LX. Your benefits may be substantially less compared to those that are directly hired by LX, like you may only be entitled to one or two free tickets per year, plus your dependents may not be entitled, as compared to those who are hired directly by LX, who can travel unlimited for free, including their dependents. If, however, you are talking about Swiss International Airlines, then you have two great choices to begin with. You have to weigh the benefits offered and the stability of the company, aside from other factors. If you like travelling around the US, then choose Delta. If you like travelling abroad, then choose Swiss. Both airlines offer interline benefits, which means free or substantially discounted tickets on other airlines. Check out their interline partners and see which airlines offer bilateral benefits, tickets like ID95 or ID90 for other airline employees (with 95% and 90% discount on published fares, respectively). Try to compare other non-monetary benefits, like number of paid leaves given per year, medical and dental benefits, stock option benefits, and the like. Then, you can choose which one would be more applicable and attractive to you. Personally, I would choose LX. Why? Because I like the service of LX and it is a member of Star Alliance, the biggest airline alliance. Star Alliance member airlines give superb across-the-alliance benefits to all their staff. Have you heard of the ZED fare? That is the Zonal Employee Discount fare that employees of Star Alliance member airlines enjoy. It is a lot lower than 95% discount for staff. And, over and above all these, I believe that LX is more stable than DL. Well, that's a personal opinion, though.

Question: what is it like to be a Delta Airlines Ticket Agent at the airport? anyone currently work for delta, is the job permanent, do they lay off people often, what are the benefits and what do you reccomend- a ground handling agency like Swissport or an airline like DELTA. Thanks

Answer: I used to work for Delta a while back. Basically, it sucked. It sucks because most of the currnet agents have been workign there for many many years, so your seniority would be very low and you'd get the crapiest schedule. Layoff? Yeah, when they were going through bankruptcy, they were laying off a lot of people, or cutting there health and retirement benefits. Benefits - We got free flights on Delta and free flights on other carriers via what's called a counter agreement. I've never heard of Swissport to be honest with you, but I would not recommend Delta's ground handling! They have the worst MBR (mishandled baggage ratio) or they are right up there with the worst. Basically, that means they lost a lot of bags!!

Question: Can airline agent cancel the air ticket without notificiation? What can this be done? Hi. I purchased an international air ticket some time this week in the morning on line and on the same day I found cheaper ticket in the evening. So I sent out an email out of curiousity to see if they pay price difference (since it was same day and time of the ticket). The next day I called the agent to see if my ticket was confirmed and the agent told me that e-ticket will be issued within 24 hours. I waited 48 hours and called to reconfirm my ticket since I didn't get my e-ticket. Then the agent told me that the ticket had been cancelled since I send them an email regarding the price difference. I have never mentioned to cancel my ticket. It was just an inquiry. What can I do regarding this matter? This item has been fully paid with credit card.

Answer: No travel agent can cancel your e-ticket unless u tell them to do so.... and if it is already tkted u need to check if u can change it without chng fee which will usually be there.... also check if the ticket can be voided if yes ask them to do so and u can either rebook or inform the agent to change ur itinerary as per ur request.... I will say it might have got cancelled by the airline if ur ticket never got ticketed....

Question: how to get a job as a airline ticket agent? should i call up the specific airline to ask for a job or wat?

Answer: go to the airlines website and click on careers, or employment link on their site.

Question: Is it easy to get a job as a Stewardess or Ticket Agent at the airport? what do I need to become one?

Answer: It's not always easy to get a job with an airline...especially as a flight attendant...the applications pour in by the the hundreds daily and only a fraction are actually invited to interview. There are some things that you can do to make yourself more marketable for the airlines. Do you speak, read, write another language(s) fluently?? Do you have a college degree or some college experience? Have you held a job that interacted well with the public? Weight proportionate to height? The airlines are looking for someone who is truely 'flexible'. Professional in both appearance and demeanor, personal and approachable. Did I meantion FLEXIBLE??? Memorize the meaning of that word. Keep in mind that the only thing constant in this industry is change. If you're able and willing to roll with the punches, live out of a suitcase for days, and have little or no personal life for the first couple of years, this job is the best. Stay away from schools that profess to train you to become a ticket/gate agent or flight attendant. You'll be wasting your money. Should an airline hire you, they will train you. Hope this helps some.

Question: can an Indian booking agent book air ticket for domestic US destinations? I want to know if an Indian travel agent can book a air ticket between US airports for example new york -- JFK to Seattle international airport? and can he book with any US airlines or only few airlines allow this?

Answer: A travel agency can book and ticket on any IATA carrier anywhere in the world. Most airlines are IATA carriers, and those that are not, the agency will not book or ticket. Regards, Dan

Question: what it cost to change NW flight ticket through an agent? I booked ticket via an agent. now I want to change flight date. they ask me to pay $225 for changing it.but NW airline said it cost $100.... are the agent overcharging me?

Answer: Yes, the agent is overcharging you... thats how they make money... people need to learn that travel agents are the most expensive way to travel... book directly with the airline for this exact reason...

Question: how to become an airline and chipping line ticket agent in the Philippines? airline ticketing agent

Answer: You need to post a monetary bond for each company and might cost you a lot. The cost of each bond might range from 50,000 to over 100,000 Pesos. A bond is a form of security deposit that these offices require from you. So imagine if you get all the airlines and shipping lines in the Philippines, you probably need close to a million Pesos just for the bond and it does not include yet your rentals and construction of your ticketing office. Some of these companies would like some exclusivity. They do not want you to sell tickets of other airlines or shipping lines. Some would require you to set up a computer station with an internet connection and printer. Also, commissions from ticket sales are not much. So you either include another business to complement your ticketing office or go to an area where ticket sales are high enough to sustain your business. Before I forget, as a ticketing agent, you need to constantly report and remit sales to the main office. If you are alone in this business, it can be challenging. You also need to consider taxes (business, withholding, percentage, VAT and etc...).

Question: Do you know of a ticket agent for buying tickets from Rio de Janeiro to SFO?

Answer: hi You buying tickets from Rio de Janeiro to SFO. I suggest you purchase the ticket http://www.joy-travels.com i Purchase the ticket in last week . these travel agency provides very cheapest tickets any travel agent.