Airport Transfer Jobs

When ski holiday customers arrive at Chambery, Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble, Granada or whichever their destination airport is, they then need to get a transfer to resort. If you can't afford a helicopter transfer or taxi this usually means one or two bus trips. Some tour operators contract the services of coach companies to manage this for them, other companies buy space from them on a sub contract basis and other visitors arrange thier own transfer. Either way, all this needs to be planned, organised and executed without forgetting leaving a single person stranded or sent to the wrong resort. Easier said than done! Specialist companies and tour operators employ transfer coordinators to make sure clients get the best possible start to their holiday.

Lesley worked for Transfer Intelligence and had this to say:
"The best part of the job is the contact with the clients and suppliers. Many clients are repeat customers or partner ‘Travel Agents’ and you will get to know them. The same is true of all our suppliers & drivers. The transfer business is a very friendly world. When you first start, you might think job ‘quite boring’, but you would be wrong! Once we are into the season the greater level of activity and the more intense the pressure. The phone can ring 5 times in two minutes and each request is ‘urgent’. You need to be able to stay calm, prioritise and, if necessary, ask for help. The atmosphere in the office is very informal and we all keep smiling and cheerful, no matter what!"

Just how important is an Airport Transfer & it’s Coordinator?

Answer: VERY! Independent skiers/boarders, travel agents & concierge companies alike all rely on their Airport Transfer Coordinator to organise the airport transfer to ensure a quality service from start to finish. You will be their 1st point of contact, and their transfer/s will be under your own supervision; from the initial contact by telephone, email or via on-line booking to the return transfer; you will ensure that the passenger/s receive a first class service all the way.

As an Airport Transfer Coordinator; you will need to be very customer focussed and remember that you are helping & advising people who are organising their holiday, by using your local knowledge and experience of the area they are travelling to you will be able to advise them of the best transfer solution for them…you will be their own personal transport advisor.

90% of the time Airport transfers are organised from a warm office; the only time you will see the inside of the airport is on Saturdays/ or the odd occasion; when some companies will need you to meet and greet their clients in person and match them up with their drivers & vehicles. For majority of the time; it’s more important for you to be coordinating your drivers & clients from the office; where you have all details at hand. You will of course need to be polite and friendly on the phone; with clients, passengers & drivers, at all times.

Language Requirements

If you are working in France, you will be expected to speak a minimum of conversation level of French, as a lot of French drivers don’t speak English and therefore you will be liaising between the passengers & drivers; both in non-emergency & emergency situations.

As most of the transfer days in the winter time are over the weekend you will be expected to work every Saturday (during the ski season) and occasional Sundays; with days off in the week. Saturdays will be the most hectic and longest day, and you will be expected to cover all pick-ups and drop-offs, which will normally mean a split shift.

What about the rest of the week?

During the weekdays, you will be busy taking bookings, coordinating the transfers for the coming week, reconfirming details (like baby seats, trailers etc) and making sure that the transfer days go as smoothly as possible. This will include checking snow & traffic reports; as pick-up times may need to be changed if heavy snow is expected.

The admin, data entry & paperwork side to this job can be rather tedious; but being organised and making sure that each stage of each transfer has been dealt with correctly will ensure that you have successfully completed your role as Airport Transfer Coordinator; and hopefully make your transfer days a little easier!

Working in the office 5 days a week, you may struggle to find the time to get out on the slopes; apart from the 2 days off per week. So if you’re a real ‘ski bum’ then this isn’t the job for you!