The management of transportation operations of all types, including tracking and managing every aspect of vehicle maintenance, fuel costing, routing and mapping, warehousing, communications, EDI implementations, traveler and cargo handling, carrier selection and management, accounting.
Freight Transportation
Usually, cargo and freight agents manage the transportation of products via truck. These professionals determine the route of the trucks, arranging for the pickup of shipments, set shipping rates and handle all necessary documentation. Agents usually receive all training on the job. Many captains received their training in the Navy. The need for cargo agents is expected to increase by 24 percent between 2008 and 2018, and their earnings were median annual earnings in 2009 were $36,960.
Ship Transportation
Captains manage the transportation of cargo and passengers on ships and smaller boats. They steer the boat, manage employees aboard the boat, perform all necessary communication to parties outside the boat and inspect the boat for safety concerns. They are the final authority on the boat and determine the ship’s course. In 2009, their median annual earnings were $64,240 and they have a projected growth of 14 to 19 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Railway Management
Railroad conductors and yardmasters work together to manage train operations. The conductor directs all crew on the train, while the yardmaster manages train schedules and the train breakup. They both work together to determine when to start and stop the train. The conductor directs workers to initiate warning signals during an emergency. Conductors and yardmasters receive their training on the job. The 2009 median annual earnings for conductors and yardmasters was $53,940 and they can expect a growth in demand of seven to 13 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Airline Management
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers manage airplanes, alongside air traffic control. Pilots control airplanes or helicopters, monitor instruments and communicate with both the passengers and air traffic control. The flight engineer monitors instruments and perform repairs. Airplanes are highly computerized and most pilots merely manage the controls. Most pilots and flight engineers receive their training from flight schools or the military. In 2008, pilots and flight engineers earned a median annual salary of $111,680 and the need for pilots and engineers is expected to grow by 12 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Air Traffic Controllers
The National Aerospace System employs air traffic controllers, who manage flights and prevent collisions, as well as minimizing delays by efficiently organizing flights. Air traffic controllers either have had previous experience with the Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Defense, completed four years of college or had three years of work experience. Then, they must complete a pre-employment test and be younger than 30. In 2008, they earned a median of $111,870 and the demand for air traffic controllers is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018.