Ground and Water Transport Ticket Agents, Cargo Service Representatives and Related Clerks

Nature of work

These workers quote fares and rates, make reservations, issue tickets, process cargo shipments, check baggage and perform other related customer service duties to help travellers. They work for bus and railway companies, freight forwarding and shipping companies, boat cruise operators and other public transit employers and by travel wholesalers.

Job duties

Ticket agents:

• Answer customer questions, quote prices and help clients in planning travel times and routes.
• Reserve seats for tour companies, travel agencies, wholesalers and the general public.
• Issue tickets, handle cash transactions and check baggage.
• Take and record bookings for package tours from retail travel agencies and give information about available openings when working for wholesale travel companies.

Cargo service representatives:

• Quote price and rates for cargo shipment.
• Calculate shipment costs including charges for services and insurance using rate tables and schedules.
• Prepare and maintain shipping and other documents.
• Check in passenger baggage and sort for loading by baggage handlers or may load baggage directly into buses, railway cars or cruise ships.
• Find lost or misdirected passenger baggage or cargo shipment.

Sample job titles

• bus ticket agent
• cargo customer service representative
• counter service agent
• freight agent
• luggage checker
• railway passenger agent
• reservations clerk - cruise line
• ship cargo agent
• station agent
• stowage clerk
• ticket agent

Skills

• You should be poised, organized, tactful, and patient. Interpersonal skills and the ability to deal comfortably with strangers are important. You should be resourceful and able to handle the unexpected. Knowledge of the travel industry will be required. Good communication skills are also necessary. Knowledge of both official languages and an additional language may be required.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• Up to 10 weeks of training may be provided.

Other considerations

• Many of these jobs are influenced by tourism activity in Nova Scotia. Employment levels vary throughout the year and from year to year. Employment tends to peak in the summer months. Ticket agents and cargo service representatives may do the same duties depending on the size and location of the operations. Movement to supervisor positions is possible through experience.

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