Operations Agent - LAX

All Aviation Jobs; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight benefits

401(k) match up to 10%

Profit sharing

Health insurance

Immediate health coverage

Job summary

Southwest Airlines seeks an Operations Agent to help flights take off safely and on time at LAX. You’ll assist customers boarding, verify flight details like weight and balance, and coordinate with Ramp, Operations, and Provisioning to keep operations smooth.

This unionized role offers varied schedules, overtime potential, and benefits from day one. US work authorization is required to apply.

Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain a SIDA badge and meet all local airport requirements.
• Two years of airline/military related work experience in ramp/operations/provisioning functions preferred.
• Ability to work shift work and/or overtime.
• U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the United States as defined by law.

Responsibilities

• Provides friendly service to and maintains positive relationships with all internal and external Customers
• Works in a cooperative spirit to ensure the success of our Company
• Coordinate ramp, operations, provisioning and servicing aircraft to ensure on-time departures and quick turnarounds
• Operates in gate area, jetways and air freight facilities under varied weather and noise conditions
• Writes and submits irregularity reports and maintains flight papers accurately

Skills

Teamwork

GSC qualified

DOT drug testing

Reading documents

Verbal communication

Radio operations

Emergency readiness

Education

No education requirement

Job description

Department:

Ground Operations

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description

*** For external applicants only:

• Southwest Airlines will consider your interest for this position if you are currently a resident of the State of California.
• Southwest Airlines will not consider your interest for this position if you have been interviewed by phone, virtually, and/or inperson

and not selected for the Operations Agent position at LAX within the last 12 months.***

Pay & Benefits

Pay of $25.00 per hour*, with the opportunity for future increase per applicable collective bargaining agreement wage scale based on time in position. Opportunities for overtime and shift premiums.

Benefits You’ll Love

Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)

Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution up to 10% of your eligible earnings**

Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan—when Southwest profits, you profit***

Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents

Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.

Explore more benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

Job Summary

Looking for a role where you help flights take off safely and on time? Join our Operations Agents at the gate and be the reason flights run smoothly. You’ll help Customers board, check flight details like weight and balance, and talk with other airport Teams to keep things running smoothly. Every day, you’ll help our flights stay on schedule and make sure our Customers feel cared for and our Crews have what they need. Whether you’re new to aviation or looking to grow, this role gives you the chance to learn and be part of something big. See what a day as an Operations Agent looks like: swa.is/DayWithOpsAgent

Additional details

This role is part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which means pay, schedules, and other job details are set through an agreement with the labor union.

Work schedules are based on seniority and may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. There may be times when mandatory overtime is required to support flight operations, but there are also opportunities to trade shifts and find a schedule that works for you.

U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current orfuture workauthorization sponsorship available .

Learn more about becoming an Operations Agent and check out the FAQs: careers.southwestair.com/operations-agent-workgroup

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.

Responsibilities

Provides friendly service to and maintains positive relationships with all internal and external Customers

Works in a cooperative spirit to ensure the success of our Company

Responsible for providing legendary Customer Service to people boarding the aircraft by coordinating Ramp, Operations, Provisioning and servicing aircraft to ensure on-time departures and quick turnarounds and to make up time on delayed flights

Works in airport operation office, gate area, jetways and air freight facilities. May be exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions and jet and machinery noise and fumes. Opens and closes the stations, advising Dispatch of same

Handles Station AMS and radio communications traffic as needed

Coordinates loading and unloading of aircraft by monitoring ramp activities

Answers station operations' telephones

Advises Gate Agents when boarding will begin

Prepares dispatch release forms and collects weather reports from Ops Suite for the Crew

Arranges for fueling of aircraft as required

Prepares weight and balance forms. Advises Dispatch, FLIFO and Stations of flight departures / arrivals

Closes out flights; files and maintains accurate flight papers. Ascertains that aircraft are properly cleaned and provisioned prior to departure

Coordinates special services needed on aircraft such as servicing lavatories, cabin grooming, wheelchairs for Customers and special emergency cleaning

Operates boarding bridge, coordinates boarding and deplaning Customers

Works with Gate Agents in expediting the check-in process, collects boarding passes and/or electronic boarding data, and verifies boarding counts

Checks baggage, when necessary. Uses jetway stairs frequently to carry items from jetway to ramp

Writes and submits irregularity reports as required. Checks cargo on hand to see that it is properly logged and accounted for. Checks that all board mail and Company material is dispatched and sent to indicated Stations

Receives, refers, or makes paging calls and makes paging announcements, as appropriate. Keeps other station personnel advised of flight movements, weather conditions, and irregular operations

Prepares statistical reports to record information from trip papers. Operates equipment for flight information display systems and updates system when operationally necessary

Properly maintains and wears the uniform by Company regulations and presents a neat and professional appearance while on duty

Provides friendly service to all co-workers and Customers. Performs special task or assignments as delegated by Supervisor or Station Management personnel

Responsible for ground security and assuring operations follow security procedures

May perform the duties of a Freight Agent. Further information can be found in the Freight Agent PAQ

Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this description

May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Ability to work well with others as part of a team, meet the public, and work under stressful situations

Must be GSC qualified

Must comply with DOT drug and alcohol testing program

Ability to read documents, follow instructions, learn and understand ramp operations procedures, rules and regulations

Ability to type and/or use a computer keyboard with sufficient speed to meet demands of the job

Must successfully complete Operations Agent training program with a 90% or greater average and evaluation / probationary period

Must be aware of hazardous situations and be able to handle emergencies as needed

Able to work under pressure and handle many functions at once with many different offices and/or groups of people

Must work under tight time constraints to accomplish quick turns of aircraft

Must possess good written and oral skills

Must present a well-groomed appearance in accordance with the Ground Operations Employee Handbook and Labor Agreement

Must be able to effectively communicate verbally by telephone, face to face and public address systems

Must be able to be alert to moving vehicles or aircraft and use radio equipment

Must be able to communicate information and instructions verbally or via radio equipment Education

No education requirement

Experience

Preferred: Two years of airline/military related work experience in ramp/operations/provisioning functions

Licensing/Certification

Must be able to obtain a SIDA badge and meet all local airport requirements

Must possess a valid state motor vehicle operator's license

May be required by Station Leadership to obtain a Customs Seal and meet all requirements to work international flights

Physical Abilities

Must be able to lift and move items of 70 pounds and/or more

Must be able to climb, bend, kneel and stand on a frequent basis and for extended periods

Must be able to carry heavy items up and down jetway stairs

Must maintain the ability to wear prescribed uniforms

Other Qualifications

Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines

Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986

Must be at least 18 years of age

Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines

Ability to work shift work and/or overtime

Foreign Language Skills Are Desirable, But Not Required

• The pay amount doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period. **401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.

***Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.

Pay Rate:

$25.00

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Posting End Date

09/11/2026