Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Ground Crew Member

🎯 Role Definition

A Jet Ground Crew Member (also called Ramp Agent or Ground Handling Agent) is responsible for safe, efficient, and compliant ground operations for jet aircraft. This role covers aircraft marshalling and pushback, ground support equipment (GSE) operation, baggage and cargo handling, aircraft servicing, turnaround coordination, communication with flight crews and airside control, and strict adherence to safety and regulatory procedures (FAA/ICAO). The Jet Ground Crew Member ensures on-time departures, protects aircraft and personnel, and delivers a high standard of airside customer service.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Baggage handler / ramp porter
Military aircraft ground support or logistics roles
Entry-level airport operations or customer service roles

Advancement To:

Lead Ramp Agent / Senior Ground Crew
Ramp Supervisor / Shift Leader
Station Operations Supervisor / Ground Operations Manager
Safety & Compliance Officer or Training Instructor

Lateral Moves:

Line Service Technician (FBO)
Cargo Agent / Load Planner
Aircraft Maintenance Technician (with additional certifications)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Marshal and guide jet aircraft to and from parking stands using standardized hand signals and illuminated wands, ensuring safe clearances around engines, wingtips and ground equipment while maintaining communication with flight crew and apron control.
Conduct complete external walk-around inspections prior to pushback and after arrival to identify and report damages, fluid leaks, tire condition, FOD (foreign object debris) risks, and any safety or maintenance discrepancies in accordance with company SOPs and regulatory requirements.
Perform safe pushback and towing operations using tugs and tow bars for narrowbody and widebody jets, following manufacturer procedures, weight/tow limitations, and secure communication protocols with cockpit crews and marshallers.
Operate ground support equipment (GSE) — including tugs, belt loaders, high loaders, baggage tractors, GPU (ground power units), air start units, and de-icing vehicles — performing pre-use checks and basic troubleshooting to maintain readiness and safety.
Load, secure and unload passenger baggage, loose baggage, ULDs (unit load devices) and bulk cargo, applying appropriate weight distribution techniques, proper ULD locking and lashing, and accurate segregation of special handling items such as fragile goods and time-sensitive cargo.
Complete accurate weight and balance inputs, manifest updates, and load sheets in the aircraft ground handling system or AODB, ensuring compliance with aircraft performance limitations and communicating discrepancies to operations or flight crew immediately.
Connect and disconnect ground power, potable water, lavatory service and other ground utilities; monitor servicing procedures and verify completed servicing reports and placards before departure.
Support aircraft turnaround planning by coordinating with catering, cabin cleaning, fuel, security and maintenance teams to meet tight block time targets and maintain on-time performance KPI’s.
Perform chocking and de-chocking of landing gear, install safety/engine intake covers or gust locks when required, and verify all ground equipment and personnel are clear prior to engine start and pushback.
Handle and process dangerous goods, live animals, oversized items and special baggage, following IATA/ICAO/DGR rules, paperwork requirements and segregation procedures to maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance.
Assist and coordinate aircraft de-icing/anti-icing operations by setting up work zones, spotting the aircraft, communicating with flight crew about timing and read-back procedures, and following safety buffers for jet blast and wing contamination.
Report and document all safety incidents, near-misses, damage occurrences and irregularities using formal incident report systems; cooperate with investigations and implement corrective actions as directed by safety management.
Enforce airside security and access control measures by verifying badges, monitoring perimeter breaches, and escorting contractors or visitors when necessary to preserve secure aircraft operations.
Provide customer-facing ground support for passenger needs such as wheelchair assistance, lounge transfers, and boarding gate coordination for special assistance passengers while maintaining professional and compassionate service.
Conduct basic aircraft servicing checks (fueler coordination observations, checking service panels) and notify maintenance of mechanical indications, abnormal smells, smoke, or any in-flight origin issues discovered during ground handling.
Participate in pre-shift briefings, reading NOTAMs, weather advisories and operational messages to identify hazards like snow, ice, high winds or FOD risk and apply mitigations proactively during ramp operations.
Maintain ramp area cleanliness and remove FOD, secure loose items and properly park/chain equipment to avoid foreign object damage and surface contamination hazards near aircraft operating zones.
Support emergency response activities on the ramp, including fire suppression staging, emergency evacuation assistance, and following incident response checklists while coordinating with airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) teams.
Execute night-time and low-visibility operations using approved equipment and procedures (e.g., reflective PPE, ramp lights) and adhere to low visibility procedures (LVP) to maintain safety during restricted visibility conditions.
Train, mentor and coach junior ramp staff on SOPs, hazard identification, proper GSE operation and company safety culture; provide constructive feedback and demonstrate best practices during live operations.
Maintain accurate logs of shift activities, equipment defects, fueling times, baggage discrepancies and handover notes to the next shift, ensuring continuity and traceability of operations.
Follow all health and safety policies including proper use of PPE, hearing protection near jet blast zones, and ergonomic handling techniques to reduce injury risks while loading heavy items and performing repetitive tasks.
Support cross-functional airport operations tasks such as marshalling in remote stands, bus transfers, liaising with cargo terminal operations, and adapting to irregular operations (IROPS) during delays, diversions or heavy traffic.
Monitor and report fuel spill or chemical exposure incidents and coordinate initial containment steps while ensuring environmental rules and airport hazmat protocols are followed until specialist teams arrive.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting operational efficiency gains, safety enhancements and cost-saving measures related to ramp workflow, GSE utilization and turnaround productivity.

Secondary Functions

Assist with basic inventory control of ground support equipment and supplies, report missing or defective items, and help schedule routine maintenance with GSE technicians.
Support ramp office duties such as completing departure/arrival paperwork, scanning load sheets, and entering equipment service records into the operations system.
Help coordinate airport stakeholder communication during irregular operations, including notifying gates, cargo, customs, and customer service about delays and special handling needs.
Participate in scheduled training sessions, recurrent safety briefings and competency assessments to maintain certifications and currency in ramp procedures.
Provide cross-cover for adjacent stations or terminals when required, adapting to different aircraft types and local procedures while maintaining safety and service standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Aircraft marshalling and use of standardized visual signals for jet aircraft movement.
Safe pushback and towing techniques for narrowbody and widebody jets, including towbarless tractors operation.
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) operation: tugs, belt loaders, high loaders, GPU, air start units, forklifts and de-icing vehicles.
Radio communication (VHF/UHF handheld) and phraseology with flight crews, apron control and operations dispatch.
Weight and balance awareness and basic loadsheet/manifest data entry into AODB or airline loading software.
ULD handling, locking/lashing procedures and cargo restraint techniques.
Knowledge of IATA/ICAO/FAA dangerous goods regulations and correct DGR documentation handling.
Aircraft servicing basics: potable water, lavatory servicing, GPU connection, and post-service verification.
Foreign Object Debris (FOD) management and ramp safety inspection techniques.
Competency in reading and applying NOTAMs, weather advisories and low visibility procedures (LVP).
Proficiency with common airport systems (AODB, mobile dispatch apps, handheld scanners, RFID or bar-code baggage systems).
Basic mechanical aptitude for pre-use GSE checks and ability to report defects clearly.
Hazardous materials awareness (HAZMAT) and spill containment initial response.
Valid driver's license for light vehicles and, where applicable, certifications for forklift or specialized equipment.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and attention to detail to detect hazards and aircraft discrepancies.
Clear and assertive verbal communication with crew, control towers and colleagues under time pressure.
Teamwork and collaboration across multi-disciplinary ground operations teams.
Reliability, punctuality and the ability to work rotating shifts, nights, early mornings and weekends.
Calm stress management and decision-making during irregular operations and emergencies.
Customer service orientation with empathy for passengers requiring assistance.
Adaptability and flexibility to handle diverse aircraft types and last-minute operational changes.
Safety-first mindset and ability to follow strict standard operating procedures.
Strong work ethic and physical stamina for manual handling and outdoor work in varying weather.
Conflict resolution skills and professional demeanor when liaising with internal and external stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED (or equivalent). Completion of secondary education is required.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or diploma in Aviation Ground Operations, Aircraft Handling, Logistics, or similar vocational training.
Relevant safety or regulatory courses (IATA DGR awareness, OSHA workplace safety, first aid/CPR).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Operations
Aircraft Maintenance Technology
Logistics and Supply Chain
Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years (entry-level), 1–5 years preferred for mid-level positions.

Preferred:

Previous experience as a ramp agent, baggage handler, or military ground support specialist.
Demonstrated experience operating GSE and handling narrowbody/widebody jet aircraft.
Prior exposure to international airport operations, night operations, or winter de-icing procedures is advantageous.
Certifications such as forklift license, AHA first aid/CPR, IATA DGR awareness, or local airport airside driving permits are a plus.