12 Key Attributes Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Jacob Brown

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Aircraft cargo handling supervisors supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. They may also determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. They may also accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.

The core tasks that aircraft cargo handling supervisors are likely to carry out include:

Distribute cargo in such a manner that space use is maximized.
Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that aircraft cargo handling supervisors would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Having a strong preference for enterprising work environments. Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 100%

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 94.8%

A willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 91.8%

Being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 91.2%

Being honest and ethical.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.4%

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 83.4%

Maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 83.4%

Being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 83%

Having a strong preference for realistic work environments. Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 81%

Being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80.6%

Being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80.4%

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 80%