Line service technicians provide ground support to aircraft, including fueling, directing planes, handling baggage, and monitoring safety. No special education is required, but a driver’s license is helpful. Safety is a priority, and job requirements may include physical fitness and a high school diploma.
A line service technician provides ground support to aircraft as they arrive and depart. This ground crew member may be involved in changing planes to prepare for the next trip, handling some customer service topics, and keeping the environment safe and orderly. Airlines may hire their own technicians or may rely on staff provided by an airport, depending on the nature of the contract. There are no special educational requirements to become a line service technician, but it helps to have a driver’s license.
One aspect of this work involves replenishment operations. The line service technician keeps the fuel tanks and trucks ready, fills the planes when they need aviation gas, and checks the fuel systems for signs of damage. At the same time, any other damage to an aircraft’s exterior can be reported, allowing another ground crew to check the plane and determine if it is safe for takeoff. Line service technicians also monitor customer safety when people come into contact with the tarmac area, as is common on small aircraft.
Line service technicians can direct planes as they arrive and depart, setting them up in orderly lines to wait for clearance to clear or approach specific gates to disembark passengers. This may include installing equipment on the ground to provide air conditioning and other services so that the interior of the plane remains pleasant. Some planes may need to be towed, which may require a line service technician. These workers also work with baggage, processing it to help planes load and unload quickly and easily.
Safety is an important part of the job. Like other ground crews, line service technicians wear equipment to protect themselves, including visibility vests and ear plugs to reduce the risk of hearing loss. They also take care of the safety of crews and passengers. They are more likely to see all parts of an aircraft before it pulls away from the gate and can pick up on safety concerns such as loose screws, tears and other abnormalities on the aircraft’s exterior.
Airlines and aviation service companies with job openings often list them in trade publications and other resources that candidates may be looking for. Requirements to become a line service technician can include physical fitness, a driver’s license in good standing, and a high school diploma. Line service technicians do not need specific aviation or heavy equipment experience, but they can help and make the candidate more competitive. Jobs can come with some benefits depending on the employer.
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