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

Career Description 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.

Life As an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

• 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.
• Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute an aircraft’s center of gravity.
• Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
• Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
• Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor?

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

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

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

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.

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

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Other Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor Job Titles

• Ramp Service Employee
• Operations Supervisor
• Air Cargo Ground Operations Supervisor
• Air Cargo Ground Crew Supervisor
• Ramp Lead

What Kind of Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor Job Opportunities Are There?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 7,600 jobs in the United States for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.9% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors are Kentucky, Florida, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in Missouri, Wisconsin, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

The typical yearly salary for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors is somewhere between $33,280 and $85,460. The median salary for this occupation is $48,610.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

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

• Microsoft Office
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook

How do I Become an Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor?

Are there Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor?

Who Employs Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons