What Does it Take to Be an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor?

Job Description & Duties Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.

Daily Life Of an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

• Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
• Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
• Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
• Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute an aircraft’s center of gravity.
• Accompany aircraft as a member of the flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight.
• Distribute cargo in such a manner that space use is maximized.

Qualities of an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

Below is a list of the skills most Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Management of Personnel Resources: Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Types of Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

• Baggage Handling Supervisor
• Ramp Lead
• Airfreight Loading Supervisor
• Ramp and Cargo Supervisor
• Station Loadmaster

Job Outlook for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

There were about 7,600 jobs for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor by 2026. There will be an estimated 800 positions for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor per year.

The states with the most job growth for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor are Oregon, New Jersey, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Missouri, Wisconsin, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

The typical yearly salary for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors is somewhere between $33,280 and $85,460.

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors who work in Wisconsin, Virginia, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.

How much do Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$45,050
Alaska	$53,420
Arizona	$60,800
Arkansas	$54,520
California	$48,500
Colorado	$56,030
Florida	$56,380
Hawaii	$51,550
Idaho	$60,930
Illinois	$58,030
Indiana	$56,480
Iowa	$47,250
Kentucky	$42,170
Louisiana	$55,830
Maryland	$54,040
Massachusetts	$45,420
Michigan	$49,310
Minnesota	$59,910
Missouri	$52,280
Nevada	$58,780
New Jersey	$58,820
New York	$51,700
North Carolina	$54,960
Ohio	$60,700
Oklahoma	$55,020
Oregon	$49,340
Pennsylvania	$59,370
South Carolina	$45,590
Tennessee	$52,150
Texas	$55,110
Utah	$45,650
Virginia	$60,260
Washington	$61,400
Wisconsin	$66,840

What Tools & Technology do Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Data entry software
• Word processing software
• Facebook
• Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
• Warehouse management system WMS

How do I Become an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor?

Are there Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor?

Where Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.