Help! Career Crossroads - Anyone work for Dublin Airport?

Mrs_Doyle

I have always be 'attracted' to Dublin Airport. (Weird, huh?)

There is just something about the hustle and bustle that really appeals to me.
Whenever I see one of those fly on the wall documentaries, that follow the Airport staff around, showing us the horrible things they have to deal with on a daily basis, instead of feeling sorry for the staff, I always kinda wished I was one of them. (I know that's a bit odd )

I am a bit of an oddball, in that I actually wouldn't mind dealing with all the crazy customers.

I like being busy, I love meeting new people, I love sorting problems, and get a buzz out of knowing I have helped someone out.

(I used to work in Customer services, part time when I was in college.)

Whatever I do, I want to make a career out of it, I want to be able to climb and progress and maybe even further my studies.

So, back to my original question, are their any Boardsie's who work in the Airport?

What do you do?

Do you enjoy your work?

How did you get into your line of work?

I would really love to hear from anyone who can help me.

Thanks in advance,

Audrey




/edited on request of OP - GS

Mrs_Doyle

Ok, so Aer Rianta are holding assessments next week. Has anyone ever been for one of these assessments?

Can you tell me what is involved?

Thanks a Million!

PeakOutput

depending on what position your applying for i would strongly not recommend working in the airport.

i worked in the food hall and hated it along with everyone else there besides the managers(apparently).

i know alot of people who have done the trolleys done the bringing disabled people to the planes thing and have done the pink shirt thing..............there are very few if any positives that will come out of their mouths about these jobs. all of them are close to if not the minimum wage and my personal gripe is that you have to work alot of weekends not to mind nights.

you get treated like crap and the companies work the ass off you.

i hear that duty free(or whatever its called now) is a good gig and apparently its triple pay every sunday but cant say that for sure.

i know a duty manager for daa and to me his job appears mind numbingly boring but his training seemed interesting as regards all the safety stuff and things.

after 5 years(presumably in college) i cant help but feel that working in any of the pleb areas of the airport would be such a waste(iv been there so not looking down on anyone) if you can get a middle management job then go for it as they might be better but i wouldnt be so sure.


one thing that might be an advantage is that with the building of the new terminal there will be alot of opportunities for promotion to fulfill the new positions needed there so rapid progression could be a possibility.

Mrs_Doyle

Wow! That puts a bit of a dampener on things.

If I was going to make the move on a full time basis I would only really be looking for a managerial type position.

What you've described sounds pretty bleak though.

Did you have to take part in an assessment before you got your job?

If so, what did it involve?

Thanks

Lafortezza

I work in the airport, not for DAA or the airlines though. If you're thinking of a career move then you should only really consider applying for management type jobs.
The people in pink shirts are basically at the lowest level afaik. Same goes for most of the ppl you see working on the airport floor, the ppl with the better jobs are in offices behind the scenes.

PeakOutput

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

Wow! That puts a bit of a dampener on things.

If I was going to make the move on a full time basis I would only really be looking for a managerial type position.

What you've described sounds pretty bleak though.

Did you have to take part in an assessment before you got your job?

If so, what did it involve?

Thanks

well i had an interview but like i said i was bottom of the ladder at the time so it was pretty basic also it was not aer rianta / daa i worked for it was a catering company.

if its managerial / office then it could be much better as you will more than likely have regular hours better pay and won't have to take as much **** as the people below you.

its just the stories of my mates being berated for taking a sick day legitimately or for wanting the odd weekend off will make me never go back

sunnyjim

Thats all they are - Stories.

Worked in a wholesalers for 3 years, and did 3 years of a Science Teaching degree in DCU, and let me tell ya, the Airport is fantastic.

I did my induction about... em, 7 weeks ago, and I've still here.

Forget what you hear about the pinkshirts being the lowest, or trolley people pushing the elderly. All rubbish.

The pinkshirts get crap - so do McDonalds workers, teachers, gardai, and trolley people. And coming away with at least 550 a week is a good wage for starting, right?

The trolley people - THEY have it easy. If you call roaming round huge open carparks in whatever weather at whatever time easy. Intellectually, yes, its a doddle, but no jobs pays for doing ****e all.

There are other jobs too. The cleaners seem to take a lot of pride in their work. The toilets are kept clean, no litter around (bar the end of the day) and they keep the place sparkly . Baggage Controllers, who run along those conveyor belts, reseting machines and general work... Ground Transport Ops, who call up taxis in times of shortage and keep the buses in order.... Airport Search Unit... Manning security posts - its more than just searching people, far far more.

There are so many things to do. If you are sick of minimum wage (we get paid better than 8.65), sick of 9-5 (5am starts, 9pm starts, 9am starts, its crazy, but beats 9-5 handsdown) and sick of seeing the same coworkers day in day out (not everyone works the same roster every week) then you won't go wrong by giving the DAA a shot.

PeakOutput

sunnyjim wrote:

The pinkshirts get crap - so do McDonalds workers, teachers, gardai, and trolley people. And coming away with at least 550 a week is a good wage for starting, right?

eh its not really not even for starting...........summer job student work yes.......starting a career.....supporting yourself and possibly a family......defo defo not.

im sure there are plus sides but that dosnt change the fact that the stories I have heard are true and that anyone i have talked to (at these lower end posts) do not enjoy their job, and trust me living where i do there are alot of people who work in the airport. i can also give you teh disadvantages of each of the positions you mentioned but im not going to berate the place for the sake of it.

she has both our opinions on the place so that should help at least.

Mrs_Doyle

OK Guys, thanks for all your help so far.

I was just talking to a girl from the Aer Rianta HR dept.

She says the assessment will include a 10minute math assessment and a 'general' assessment.

I'm a bit nervous but also very intrigued.

I have never been assessed like this before. Has anyone here taken part in such an assessment?

sunnyjim

Yes Peakoutput, she has both our opinions. One of us works there, and the other has heard stories that must be true.

Lower end of the scale? Since when do people begin a career at the higher end of the scale? Most posts in the DAA (NB, Do not call it Aer Rianta Mrs Doyle, this is corporate Ireland, and image/name is everything. DAA is printed on everything possible in the Airport!!) are internal, so you must be employed there before you can go for middle management etc.

You don't consider 550 good for starting? The army get paid around 100 less than that basic after Recruit Training, dito for the Gardai. I don't know how anyone would expect more for a job that doesn't require anything other than the Leaving Cert.

Mrs_Doyle

(NB, Do not call it Aer Rianta Mrs Doyle, this is corporate Ireland, and image/name is everything. DAA is printed on everything possible in the Airport!!)

I hear ya, but the girl that called me referred to herself as "Hi, this is **** calling, from Aer Rianta's HR dept...."

So I have spent ages trying to find info o Aer Rianta assessments

PeakOutput

sunnyjim wrote:

Yes Peakoutput, she has both our opinions. One of us works there, and the other has heard stories that must be true.

did you not read what i wrote??? take of your blinkers for a moment and re-read the part were i said

i worked in the food hall and hated it

You don't consider 550 good for starting? The army get paid around 100 less than that basic after Recruit Training, dito for the Gardai. I don't know how anyone would expect more for a job that doesn't require anything other than the Leaving Cert.

I dont consider the army starting pay good either obviously(also that is a recruits starting salary a cadets(also a leaving cert only required position, is alot higher) and the op has 5 years experience/college and is not coming straight from doing the leaving so I doubt she is expecting to start on the same salary as my mates pushing trolleys for summer work.


maybe i insulted you by slagging off your place of work it was nothing personal it was just my experience and the experience of people I know have worked there and still do work there I was giving. if you love it more power to you.

Glowing

If thats 550 after tax, then I think thats a fairly reasonable salary ....!

botvot

I agree with Glowing...550 isn't bad at all - even before tax - for a rather menial (sp?) job? Not bad at all.

And OP, I feel the same attractions to aiports as yourself...not Dublin airport TBH, but most airports, and also in a lesser way harbours. Wouldn't mind a job in an airport after I finish my qualification.

smurfbaby

Hi Mrs Doyle

I'm curious as to why you did 5 years of media studies and yet are working in admin? Did you try working in the media and decide it wasn't for you? Would you not consider trying to work in some different media jobs before ruling it out completely and embarking on a totally new career?

Back to the airport question, I knew two girls who worked in the airport for one of the v well known airlines. They both left within a year, saying that the shifts and hours were v tough (nights & weekends) and that some of the older staff advised them to get out while they were still young!

Sorry if this sounds like a biased or inaccurate view, this is just coming striaght from the mounths of the girls themselves. I'm sure there are many well paid and fulfilling jobs in the airport that others will advise you about.

Mrs_Doyle

The media is not an industry that is easy to get into.

Believe me, I have tried. At this stage, unless I was willing to work for minimum wage and uncertain hours, and start out at the very bottom, I'm not going to get a foot in the door.

Working for uncertain wages is not something I can do right now, as I am in the process of getting a mortgage.

I need a salary based job, and so after working in the media for a few months, and it amounting to nothing, I had no choice but to opt for the stable salary that admin offers.

Also, my degree was heavily management based, and management is certainly something that appeals to me.

With that in mind I would be fairly happy to take a retail management position, and build on my managerial experience.

smurfbaby

The reason I ask is that I work in the media, and when I started out I had to take some risks and grab every opportunity but it soon paid off and now I love what I do. I also have a mortgage, car etc so just wanted to let you know that it can be done!

Also just a point you might consider, once you get a mortgage it will be very hard to leave a job and embark on a new career. I know renting can be a pain but it might be easier to get a career established and then when you are on your feet start thinking about a mortgage again.

Your post just struck a chord with me because I share a similar fascination with the airport, and had considered looking for a related career after my leaving cert. When I researched some of the jobs and spoke to a few people who worked there I decided to look to a different career path instead, and leave the airport for holidays only!

Good luck with whatever you decide

Stereophonic

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

I hear ya, but the girl that called me referred to herself as "Hi, this is **** calling, from Aer Rianta's HR dept...."

So I have spent ages trying to find info o Aer Rianta assessments

The assessment narrows it down. You pass it then you are asked to an interview, if you don't its goodbye.

The maths lasts 10mins as far as i know. Not sure on the General assessment.

Pythia

PeakOutput wrote:

eh its not really not even for starting...........summer job student work yes.......starting a career.....supporting yourself and possibly a family......defo defo not.

550 a week works out at 28.6k a year after tax. I've just finished college and there's not many people who would be getting that starting off.
Supporting a family, ok no, but a good place to start with a leaving cert or summer job, absolutely.

PeakOutput

maybe my expectations are too high on the salary front i thought the average graduate would get 35K starting but i just googled it there and it seems its closer to 25K so it sounds good enough alright

Pythia

I'm actually doing research on this at the moment. Most graduates from university get between 21k and 25k. Good few more on 25-29k. Very little on anything more.

sunnyjim

Peakoutput, sorry, didn't see that you worked in foodhall. Remember though, Foodhall isn't actually working for Aer Rianta/ DAA, your working for a concessionaire. I hear they are bastards.

Ye, I got pissed off by what ya wrote, I thought you were basing everything on hearsay.

That 550 is before tax btw folks.

eddiej

Pythia wrote:

I'm actually doing research on this at the moment. Most graduates from university get between 21k and 25k. Good few more on 25-29k. Very little on anything more.

Dont want to hijak thread but where did you get this info would love to know and is this before or after tax if mods can move this to new thread feel free

OP go for it at the airport why not just cause others dont like does not mean you wont I'm sure there are lots of people here who would hate to be accountants taxi drivers doctors plumbers etc but others who love their jobs, just make sure that you really know what the job will mean and what you really will be doing. If you have opportunity why not do some partitme work there or a 6 month contract. One word of warning they may just be putting all the good bits on the telly hours of mind numbing work would not make great tv just a thought.

PS be very wary of the I HATE MY JOB brigade try to find a balanced opinion usually someone who will start off with well there are good points and bad ponits (inspiring eh! )

Eddie

Mrs_Doyle

eddiej wrote:

OP go for it at the airport why not just cause others dont like does not mean you wont I'm sure there are lots of people here who would hate to be accountants taxi drivers doctors plumbers etc but others who love their jobs, just make sure that you really know what the job will mean and what you really will be doing.

Yeah, I know what ya mean.

I have come up with a list of Pro's, and Con's, and I am giving it all an awful lot of thought.

PeakOutput

theres no harm going for the job and doing your best to get it while you think then if when your offered it you don think you want it dont take it

Mrs_Doyle

Hey guys, guess what...... ya can close this thread if ya like, cause In a months a time I'll have all the answers first hand.......


Confused?

Hee, hee - They offered me a job!! Woohoo!

Dub13

Congrats,don't close the thread sure you can come back and tell us how you are getting on.

Stereophonic

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

Hey guys, guess what...... ya can close this thread if ya like, cause In a months a time I'll have all the answers first hand.......


Confused?

Hee, hee - They offered me a job!! Woohoo!

What job did they offer you if you don't mind saying ?

Mrs_Doyle

Stereophonic wrote:

What job did they offer you if you don't mind saying ?

I have no problem telling ya, but I might just wait until I have actually seen my contract, just in-case I give myself a title I'm not entitled to

Stereophonic

LOL, Senior Trolley Agent?

only joking, ah go on, tell us

Wishbone Ash

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

I have no problem telling ya, but I might just wait until I have actually seen my contract, just in-case I give myself a title I'm not entitled to

Some of the DAA's job titles sound a lot better that the job itself! Good luck with it.

Mrs_Doyle

Stereophonic wrote:

LOL, Senior Trolley Agent?

only joking, ah go on, tell us

Ha ha ha, feck off!