Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks

• Nature of the Work

  Each year, millions of Americans travel by plane, train, ship, bus, and automobile. When they make reservations for travel or accommodations, purchase tickets, or check their luggage, they deal with reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.

  Most reservation agents work for large hotel chains or airlines helping people plan trips and make reservations. They usually work in large central offices answering telephone inquiries and offering suggestions on travel arrangements such as routes, time schedules, rates, and types of accommodation. They quote fares and room rates, make and confirm transportation and hotel reservations, and sell tickets. Agents use computer terminals to quickly obtain information needed to make, change, or cancel reservations for customers. After a ticket has been purchased, they arrange for it to be sent to or picked up by the traveler.

  Transportation ticket agents sometimes are known as passenger service agents, passenger-booking clerks, reservation clerks, ticket clerks, or ticket sellers. They work in airports, train, and bus stations selling tickets, assigning seats to passengers, and checking baggage. In addition, they may answer inquiries and give directions, examine passports and visas, or check in animals. Other ticket agents, more commonly known as gate or station agents, work in airport terminals assisting passengers when boarding airplanes. They direct passengers to the correct boarding area, check tickets and seat assignments, make boarding announcements, and provide special assistance to young, elderly, or disabled passengers when they board or disembark.

  Passenger rate clerks work for bus companies. They sell tickets for regular bus routes and arrange nonscheduled or chartered trips. They plan travel routes, compute rates, and keep customers informed of appropriate details. They also may arrange travel accommodations.

  Most travel clerks are employed by automobile clubs. These workers, sometimes called member services counselors or travel counselors, plan trips, calculate mileage, and offer travel suggestions for club members. They highlight the best route from the point of origin to the destination, as well as the return. They also may prepare an itinerary which indicates points of interest, restaurants, overnight accommodations, and availability of emergency services during the trip. In some cases, they may make rental car, hotel, or restaurant reservations for club members.

  Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks must be nowledgeable about their companies' policies and about industry procedures. They must be able to use computers to ascertain the availability of special promotions or services, reservation information, and find answers to any questions customers may have.

• Employment

  Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks held about 139,000 jobs in 1994. More than 2 of every 3 workers are employed by the airlines. Others work for membership organizations like automobile clubs, hotels and other lodging places, railroad companies, bus lines, and other companies that provide transportation services.

  Although agents and clerks are found throughout the country, most work at large metropolitan airports, downtown ticket and reservation offices, large reservation centers, as well as train and bus stations. The remainder work in smaller communities served only by intercity bus or railroad lines.

• Job Outlook

  Applicants for reservation and transportation ticket agent jobs are likely to encounter considerable competition because the supply of qualified applicants exceeds the expected number of job openings. Entry requirements for these jobs are minimal and many people seeking to get into the airline industry or travel business often start out in these types of positions. Also, these jobs provide excellent travel benefits and many people view airline jobs as glamorous.

  Employment of reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is expected to decline slightly through the year 2005. The work of these occupations is being affected significantly by technology. Automated reservations and ticketing, as well as "ticketless" travel, reduces the need for some of these positions. Nevertheless, job openings will become available as workers transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force altogether.

  Employment of reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy. During recessions, discretionary passenger travel declines and transportation service companies are less likely to hire new workers and even may resort to layoffs.

• Sources of Additional Information

  Information on working conditions, training requirements, and earnings appears in the Information clerks introduction to this section.

  For information about job opportunities as reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks, write the personnel manager of individual transportation companies. Addresses of airlines are available from:
  Air Transport Association of America, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20004-1707.

  A brochure describing airline jobs is available from:
  6Air Line Employees Association, Job Opportunity Program, 6520 South Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60638.

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