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:
(1.) Southwest Airlines will consider your interest for this position if you are currently a resident of the State of California.
(2.) Southwest Airlines will not consider your interest for this position if you have been interviewed by phone, virtually, and/or in person and not selected for the Operations Agent position at SAN within the last 12 months.***
Pay & Benefits:
Pay of $21.01 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
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 or future work authorization 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: $21.01
Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Job Posting End Date
08/24/2026
