Ramp agents load, unload and move baggage and cargo around an airport, both landside and airside (before and after the security boundary). They also carry out inspections, hazard checks and operate equipment such as stairs and bridges.
The Work
You could be:
using lifting equipment, operating a conveyor belt or driving a truck to move baggage and cargo around the airport
checking baggage labels against passenger lists to make sure that the right luggage goes on to the right plane
correctly loading and storing cargo or luggage in the aircraft's hold so that it can fly safely and fuel efficiently
unloading baggage onto a conveyer belt or carousel for passengers to collect at baggage reclaim when they land
clearing runways after a storm or heavy snowfall, de-icing aircraft and making sure airside pavements and surfaces are free of debris
directing traffic, attaching stairs and bridges to aircraft and operating a variety of ground machinery
carrying out aircraft and equipment inspections and checking for hazards
using a radio to report any item that looks suspicious
ensuring that duties are carried out efficiently to allow aircraft to arrive and depart on time.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).
As of 1 April 2025 the National Minimum Wage is £10.00 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £12.21 an hour. With experience, this can rise to around £10.00 an hour.
Overtime and shift allowance payments can greatly increase salaries.
Conditions
You would work both indoors and outdoors, in all weathers.
You might work in cold, cramped and noisy conditions.
You would have to lift, carry and load heavy weights, and objects which may be fragile or awkwardly shaped.
You are likely to work shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays.
You would wear a uniform, and sometimes safety clothing such as a high visibility vest, hard hat or ear defenders.
Jobs can be seasonal, with extra temporary jobs during the holiday season and lay-offs in the winter.
You may need to be at least 18 years of age, because of shift work regulations.
You will need a driving licence and a fork-lift truck licence or Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence may be useful. You may have to sit an employer’s driving test.
You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
You should be fit and may have to have a medical examination.
You may need to live within a certain distance of the airport you work at.
able to work quickly and accurately, especially when under pressure
honest and reliable
aware of security and health and safety issues
able to work with machinery.
You need to have:
good communication skills
good numeracy and literacy skills.
Training
On the job training is provided by your employer.
This includes the safe operation of equipment such as fork-lift trucks, luggage carriers, conveyor belts and barcode identification equipment.
You are also likely to be trained in airport security and health and safety procedures.
You may be able to work towards an SVQ.
If you are required to drive vehicles airside, you will need to pass a course to obtain a permit.
Getting On
After sufficient experience you may be able to get promotion to a supervisory post such as team leader.
There may also be opportunities to move on to other areas of work, such as cargo operations, aircraft dispatching or passenger services.
More Information
Scotland has six main airports: Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Glasgow Prestwick. There are also about a dozen small airports serving individual Scottish islands.
2025
