Freight Agent Jobs | Cargo Agent Careers
Freight Agent Jobs - What is the Job of a Freight Forwarding Agent? What do Freight Agent Jobs Involve?
Cargo agents and freight agents are responsible for tracking shipments that come and go from airline terminals, airline terminals, in shipping docks. Freight agents determine the route that shipments should take, and prepare all documents necessary in order to expedite these materials.
Freight agents will take orders from customers and then arrange for the pickup of cargo and its delivery. Cargo agents will then keep records of the cargo itself including the weight, the dimensions, the time of shipment, and the type, as well as recording any damaged items.
Cargo agents will frequently determine shipping rates of freight, in addition to making sure that the customs paperwork that should go with a cargo is in order. Freight agents will check the progress of shipments electronically and answer the questions that customers have about shipment status.
Working Conditions for Freight Forwarding Agents Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Air Freight Agent Jobs?
The working conditions for freight and cargo agents jobs are usually 40 hour workweeks, Monday through Friday, although extra hours may be needed for large shipments. Cargo agent jobs involve much standing and bending with automated devices used to lessen the weight that must be lifted, however, the work itself can still be strenuous.
Some cargo agents work in stockrooms and shipping and receiving rooms which are temperature controlled, while others may work in cold storage rooms or freezer units, or outside where they are exposed to all manner of weather.
Freight Agents Education - How to Become a Cargo Agent - How to Receive Your Freight Agent Training
Cargo agent training requires a high school diploma in on the job training, which hardly takes any time in all to master. Cargo employees will usually check items that should be shipped, attach labels two items, and make sure that the addresses on them are correct.
Cargo Agents Training Requirements - How to Become a Freight Forwarding Agent
Since cargo agent work is becoming increasingly automated, as computer technology and RFID are used to track items, computer proficiency is helpful in order to succeed, as well as having other clerical skills such as typing ability and recordkeeping skills.
Opportunities for advancement for cargo agents and freight agents jobs are limited, although in large companies some agents may become team leaders or switch to a higher position in a related field.
Cargo Agent Employment - What is the Future of Freight Agent Jobs?
Over the next decade, cargo agents and freight agent jobs should experience employment growth of about 16%. Cargo agents will increasingly be needed in order to handle the growth of online shipping in warehouses, as well as intercontinental traffic as a result of cheap imported goods shipped from China.
Air Freight Agent Pay Scale - How Much Do Cargo Agents Earn?
In 2006, cargo agents and freight agents careers earned median annual incomes of $37,110, with those working as air freight agents having the highest rate of pay at $38,340, and those working in air freight support jobs having the lowest rate of median pay at $23,770. Most cargo agents work full time, so benefits such as medical and insurance are usually received.