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Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors is the O*NET name for people who supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. Interest ratings put Enterprising on top at 5.4 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is ECR and the day leans toward leading, persuading and making business decisions. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to management of personnel resources, critical thinking, and time management as the ones to build. You may also need to determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity. People who want leading, persuading and making business decisions usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
  • 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.
  • Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.

Skills

  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Active Listening

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on management of personnel resources and critical thinking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECR takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Cargo Supervisor
  • Ground Operations Supervisor
  • Line Service Supervisor (LSS)
  • Loadmaster
  • Ramp and Cargo Supervisor

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.