Career:
Cargo and Freight Agent
Job Description: Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.
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What Cargo and Freight Agents do:
- Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of the arrival of freight or baggage, and arrange for delivery.
- Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
- Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
- Contact vendors and/or claims adjustment departments in order to resolve problems with shipments, or contact service depots to arrange for repairs.
- Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
- Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
- Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
- Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
- Arrange insurance coverage for goods.
- Inspect and count items received and check them against invoices or other documents, recording shortages and rejecting damaged goods.
- Check import/export documentation to determine cargo contents, and classify goods into different fee or tariff groups, using a tariff coding system.
- Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
- Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
- Coordinate and supervise activities of workers engaged in packing and shipping merchandise.
- Direct or participate in cargo loading to ensure completeness of load and even distribution of weight.
- Route received goods to first available flight or to appropriate storage areas or departments, using forklifts, hand trucks, or other equipment.
- Obtain flight numbers, airplane numbers, and names of crew members from dispatchers, recording data on airplane flight papers.
- Install straps, braces, and padding to loads to prevent shifting or damage during shipment.
- Prepare manifests showing baggage, mail, and freight weights, and number of passengers on airplanes, and transmit data to destinations.
- Attach address labels, identification codes, and shipping instructions to containers.
- Open cargo containers and unwrap contents, using steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools.
- Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.
- Maintain a supply of packing materials.
- Assemble containers and crates used to transport items such as machines or vehicles.
- Send samples of merchandise to quality control units for inspection.
What work activities does a Cargo and Freight Agent do?
| Importance | Activities | |
|---|---|---|
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
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Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. |
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