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1. To gain a basic understanding of the Transportation Operations Pathway.

2. To discover career options available within the Transportation Operations Pathway.

3. To explore the working environment, education and skills needed and salary of careers available within the Transportation Operations Pathway.

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Careers are responsible for managing and overseeing the transportation of products and passengers

Duties may include:• piloting an airplane• driving a truck• captaining a ship

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Career description:• plan, lead and organize transportation

operations of an organization • dispatch, route and track

transportation vehicles, like aircraft and railroad cars

• oversee subordinate staff • perform investigations to confirm and

handle customer or shipper complaints

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Career description:• act as contact persons for workers

within assigned territories • make schedule and policy changes

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Education/training required:• high school diploma or some college

preferred Median salary: • $73,080

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Career description:• pilot and navigate multi-engine aircraft• transport cargo and passengers• examine aircraft before flights to

ensure all systems are functioning correctly

• use radio to contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions and more

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Career description:• follow flight plans, regulations and

procedures • observe engine operation, fuel

consumption and aircraft system functions during flights

• be part of a flight team with other crew members

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Education/training required:• must have a commercial pilot’s license• FAA approved flight school or military

training• college graduates preferred• pass physical and written exams and

demonstrate flying ability to FAA Median salary: • $141,090

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Career description:• transport passengers or freight with

electric, diesel-electric, steam or gas-turbine-electric locomotives

• follow train orders, electronic or manual signals and railroad rules and regulations

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Career description:• observe gauges and meters that

measure speed, amperage, battery charge and more

• watch for obstructions on track• operate controls to drive electric,

diesel-electric, steam or gas-turbine-electric locomotives

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Education/training required:• must be at least 21 years old• high school diploma or some college

preferred Median salary: • $57,990

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Career description:• offer personal services to airline

passengers to ensure their safety and comfort

• welcome passengers, confirm tickets, explain safety equipment, serve food or drinks

• guide and help passengers in an emergency situation

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Career description:• show safety and emergency

procedures, like oxygen masks, seat belts and life jackets

• walk aisles of planes to make sure passengers are following federal regulations

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Career description:• check first aid kits and other

emergency equipment to ensure they are in working order

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Education/training required:• some college generally preferred• must be 18 to 21 years old to apply

Median salary: • $53,780

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Career description:• control air traffic at and close to

airport, movement of air traffic between altitudes and control centers

• approve, monitor and control commercial airline flights following regulations

• lessen delays and guarantee flight safety

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Career description:• grant landing and take-off approval

and instructions• use radar, computer equipment and

visual references to observe aircraft

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Education/training required:• some college or a bachelor’s degree

preferred• complete FAA approved education

program and pass an exam Median salary: • $117,240

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Career description:• control vessels in water systems, such

as oceans, bays, lakes, rivers and coastal waters

• use radios, depth finders, buoys, radars, lights and lighthouses to navigate

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Career description:• calculate positions, set courses and

determine speeds with charts, area plotting sheets, compasses and more

• examine vessels to ensure vessels and equipment are efficient, safe and conform to regulations

• measure water depth with equipment

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Career description:• guide and organize crew members or

workers

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Education/training required:• high school diploma preferred• must be licensed by the Coast Guard• accumulate sea time and meet

regulatory requirements or graduate from U.S. Merchant Marine Academy or a State maritime academy

Median salary: • $53,430

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Career description:• operate tractor-trailer combination or

truck with size of at least 26,000 GVW• move and deliver goods, livestock or

materials in liquid, loose or packaged form

• unload truck• use automated routing equipment

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Career description:• observe safety procedures when

moving dangerous goods• examine vehicles to ensure

mechanical, safety and emergency equipment is working

• keep logs of working hours and vehicle service and repairs

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Education/training required:• high school diploma or less• must have a commercial driver’s

license Median salary: • $35,040

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Career description:• guarantee safe takeoff and landing of

commercial and military aircraft• organize air-traffic control and

maintenance personnel• use airfield landing and navigational

aids• observe and keep flight records

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Career description:• enforce airfield safety procedures for a

safe operating environment • plan and organize airfield construction• oversee arrival, parking, refueling,

loading and departure of all aircraft

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Education/training required:• some college or a bachelor’s degree

preferred Median salary: • $37,630

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Career description:• control railroad track switches• attach couplings or break up trains• examine couplings, air hoses, journal

boxes and hand brakes• use hand signals, lanterns or radio to

communicate with locomotive engineers

• use track switches to reroute cars

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Education/training required:• some college may be preferred

Median salary: • $48,860

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Career description:• oversee ground crew in loading,

unloading, securing and staging aircraft cargo/ baggage

• establish quantity and placement of cargo and calculate aircraft center of gravity

• may be member of flight crew

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Career description:• arrange cargo to maximize space• compute load weights

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Education/training required:• high school diploma or some college

Median salary: • $39,840

1. Describe the Transportation Operations Pathway and the careers available within the pathway.

2. What education and training requirements are needed for most careers in this pathway?

3. What are the working conditions for most careers in this pathway?

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4. Describe the average earnings of some careers in this pathway and why they differ from other careers.

5. List three character traits you possess that would make you successful in a career in this pathway.

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U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Washington, D.C.: Jist Works, 2008.http://online.onetcenter.org/

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