Airport Coordinator - Lax

Description:

This seasonal part-time position entails working with our Logistics Team throughout the summer (mid-June to mid-August) to ensure smooth operations at our domestic US hub airports. Airport Coordinators are the main contact persons for families on the day of travel and work in the airline check-in area to greet and directly assist TFT travelers and their families.

What does an Airport Coordinator do?

Airport Coordinators are often the first person our families meet from TFT, so setting a good first impression is paramount. The AC helps to calm the anxieties & fears of the teens and their parents while getting them excited for the journey ahead!

You will provide instructions for checking in, engage with the teens to break the ice, answer parent questions, and may be required to escort Unaccompanied Minors through the airport if necessary. You may also be asked to stay overnight at a hotel near the airport to chaperone travelers as needed, please note that these may be pre-planned or may arise due to airline schedule changes.

Airport Coordinators are tasked with working together to track and account for every student in the airport on a given day, which can range from 10 to 400 students on our busiest travel days. It is imperative that AC’s remain flexible and adaptable to ever-changing conditions regarding flight delays, cancellations, re-routings, and ticket changes.

This position is the first responder for handling problems/issues that arise during check-in or with travelers’ connecting flights, with the support of relevant stakeholders for larger issues. The AC needs to maintain clear and concise communication with and between TFT flight chaperones, TFT office staff, Trip Directors (at destination), airline employees, and hotel employees.

What does a typical Travel Day look like:

You will arrive at the airport prior to the first TFT traveler(s) flight landing or drop off window. You will position yourself in the appropriate place for meeting and assisting the travelers, typically the check-in area of the group flight airline for departures or the Arrivals area of the appropriate terminal for group return flights.

You will communicate with the travelers through WhatsApp, text message or phone call to guide them through the airport processes, or help them to locate you in the check-in area or change terminals from a connecting flight. After assisting everyone in the group with checking in and dropping their baggage, you will coach the group on getting through security to their gate and letting you know once they are boarding. You will send the group through security before moving on to assist the next group that is departing that day.

You may be asked to serve as an escort for Unaccompanied Minors, wherein you would need to accompany them through security to their gate or meet them at their gate upon arrival. Some days you may have travelers spending the night at a hotel with you as the chaperone, for these instances you would escort them to/from the hotel, check them in, arrange dinner, and supervise them during the stay before bringing them back to the airport the following day.

This is a seasonal, part-time position that does not travel. Though this position may be asked to travel on short notice as a backup option for sick or absent Flight Chaperones.

Qualifications:

• Clean background check
• Must be 21 years or older with a government issued ID
• Must have a valid credit card matching the ID
• Working smartphone
• Access to spreadsheets through phone/tablet/laptop (Google/Excel)
• Able to take your own transportation to/from LAX airport
• Experience working with teenagers
• Ability to work for 12+ hours on/off
• Ability to stand/walk for long periods of time, you are required to be on your feet for most of the day.
• Significant airport/airline experience preferred (bonus for prior experience with UMs)
• Confident talking to parents and teens about airport processes (check-in, security, boarding, re-booking, changing terminals, US customs, baggage handling, airport layout etc.)
• Exceptional people skills and a friendly disposition
• Calm and resourceful under pressure, especially when dealing with airline agents
• Valid passport (not required)
• Must be able to adjust your schedule due to airline changes, which may include spending the night at a hotel near the airport in the event of missed connections or emergencies

Dates: (Not expected to work every one of these dates) (plus sign = likely hotel overnight, but determined as needed)

6/19, 6/25+, 6/29+ (7am-1am), 7/4 (1 trip), 7/9, 7/10, 7/11+, 7/15+, 7/18 (1 trip), 7/19-7/20, 7/21+, 7/23, 7/27-7/28, 7/30 (5am), 7/31, 8/1, 8/4, 8/5, 8/6, 8/8, 8/10, 8/11, 8/12