I know that there are a ton of people that think that there couldn't be jobs in travel that are tough. I am here to say that you would be wrong if you think this. When I fly I see all the jobs that are overlooked when the ideal of airtravel (or travel in general) is thought. So in my opinion and breif knowledge, here are 5 tough travel jobs:
5. Train/Bus station ticket clerk - In larger cities this job gets exposed to amped up customers who may be suffering from being overstimulated, smaller towns this person may be exposed to the elements, or forced to stay in a tiny little booth until they are relieved. Have you ever tried to stay in a phone booth for 8 hours. Sounds tough to me.
4. Hotel/Cruise ship custodial - These under appreciated people have the thankless job of cleaning up after people who (lets face it) are on vacation and therefore not concerned that they left all the wet towels on the floor, or missed the toilet bowel all together. If you work on a ship you not only have to keep your area rooms clean but you have to make a towel animal every night (or people complain). They manage to do all this with a smile, or helpful attitude. Think you could smile at a person who just trashed a room you cleaned up less than 8 hours ago? Me neither.
3. Train Stewards/Flight Attendants - Despite what TV shows us these jobs are not "Pan Am" or "Thomas the Tank Engine". These folks are on the front lines taking abuse from intoxicated and rude passengers, disrespectful kids/teens, unruly seniors. Rarely do you hear a complaint from them (how they don't manage to spill a drink or toss more passengers...looking at you Alec Baldwin...is beyond me). Try to be nice on your next trip, you would be amazed.
2. Customer Service Operators - There are many names that this position goes by but basically they are there to answer your questions and help when something goes wrong (because no one ever calls when they have had a good trip). They have to put up with a ton of crap from people who have legitimate complaints, as well as those people who didn't prepare properly and missed their flight/bus/train/etc. I guarantee that you would cuss someone out if you had to deal with just a fraction of their calls.
1. Baggage Handlers and Support Personnel - These people are out in the elements, work holidays/nights/weekends, NEVER get compliments when they do a good job (when was the last time you heard someone say great job loading the bags into the airplane). As with all of these jobs they do not make a ton of money, and there isn't much job security thanks to the economy.
So if you are fortunate enough to get to travel, and you just happen to run into someone on this list (or someone who is not). Thank them for doing a great job. You will make their day
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