Transportation inspectors check vehicles for compliance with regulations, including safety and cargo handling. They work for government agencies, transportation companies, and contractors, and may have irregular schedules and face hostility. A bachelor’s degree and knowledge of industry jargon and regulations are required.
A transportation inspector checks planes, trains and other vehicles for compliance with government regulations. One of the main concerns is security, but inspectors also check for other regulatory issues, such as unauthorized cargo. They can work for government agencies, transportation companies and contractors. Candidates’ expectations for transportation inspector positions can vary by region and employer.
Airplanes, buses, trains, boats and other vehicles used to transport people and cargo are often subject to inspection. In safety assessments, the transport inspector verifies that all systems are working properly. This may include checking all repairs made, maintenance records and other documentation associated with the vehicle. If there are safety concerns, the inspector may request that the vehicle be removed from service until the issues can be resolved and the owner or transporter can be fined.
Another part of the job may involve verifying compliance with passenger and cargo handling regulations. For example, a transport inspector might check the calibration of taximeters to ensure customers are not being misled, or they might observe that a bus company needs to repair its accessible buses to ensure that wheelchair users can access public transport. Inspectors can watch loading and unloading procedures for signs of security violations, illegal loading and other problems. They may also interview customers and passengers to determine whether companies follow the law.
This work can involve a great deal of fieldwork in locations such as rail yards, airports and bus maintenance facilities. Transport inspectors can have irregular schedules at times, as transport can operate 24 hours a day and they need to be able to randomly monitor activities for quality. If airlines knew, for example, that aviation inspectors only showed up during set hours, they could shift their security breaches to other times. Hostility can also be an issue, as transport operators may resent a surprise inspection or unexpected visit.
Some transportation inspector positions require a bachelor’s degree and experience with a particular mode of transportation. You need to be comfortable with mechanical systems, record keeping methods and industry jargon. In addition, a thorough grounding in regulations is required, which includes continuing education to keep up with changes in the law. As government agencies roll out new rules, inspectors may need to participate in outreach and education activities to ensure public transport companies comply before the rules take effect.
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