 |
A World Of Virtual Opportunities: The Trend Toward Work-at-Home Reservation Agents
Author: Melissa Brewer  | Posted: 10-12-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 336 | Rating: (127)  (?) 
How many times have you wished that there was a work at home opportunity for an entry-level office job applicant? Do you daydream about the time you would save each day if you didn't have to make that commute to work? Do you wish you didn't have to dress up to attend that lame morning "pep talk" during your first cup of coffee?
You're in luck - the times are changing. Many men and women across the country have changed career paths - and their lives, by cashing in on the latest trend in the travel and tourism industry - homeshoring. For reservation agents that work-at-home, the commute is simply moving from one room to another to start their day. It's happening on a regular basis in the time (and sometimes cash) strapped travel and tourism industry, and most of these companies provide local training before their employees take their virtual jobs home.
Companies that hire homeshoring workers in these industries provide a full course of paid training. If you're looking for a work-at-home opportunity, and have a home office complete with computer, Internet connection, and a second phone line, then you may be able to find employment as a reservation agent with airlines such as Jet Blue, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, or hotel chains such as Outrigger Hotels, Marriot Global Reservations, or Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
JetBlue's virtual opportunities set the homeshoring trend.
Jet Blue, who started their work-at-home program during the company's infancy, quickly saw a 25% increase in productivity once employees were allowed to work from home. It is for this reason the company continues to hire work-at-home reservation agents today and why so many other companies are following their example.
In an effort to control the costs of operating traditional call centers, many US-based companies have created programs that allow employees to work-at-home instead. As a result, fewer jobs are being outsourced to countries like India and Mexico. Because most US customers would rather speak to someone whose native language is English, these companies feel they are providing better customer service in addition to providing jobs to those in the US. It's also easier for them to schedule people during peak hours when the weather's bad - an essential component for an industry whose reputation is at stake during the holiday season.
Currently, there are about 112,000 people working from home as customer service representatives (reservation agents, telesales, insurance agents, etc.). By 2010, this number is expected to increase to about 330,000.
Jet Blue Airlines is a success story because the company has always relied on work-at-home employees to help Jet Blue customers book reservations and answer their questions or complaints about flights and airline policies. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jet Blue Airlines employs over 1,200 reservation agents who work locally.
In fact, many of the companies who hire people to work from home expect them to work locally so they can be contacted quickly to work extra shifts or to cover shift changes. Some companies even provide additional space in their home offices for employees to complete their shift if employees are having technical difficulties with home office equipment.
Looking for an opportunity as a virtual reservation agent?
To become a virtual agent, you may need to have prior customer service experience or you may receive on-the-job training in a nearby facility. Depending on the company, you may have the option to work part-time or full-time, you may have to work weekends and holidays, and you may be asked to cover additional shifts when necessary.
When researching possible virtual opportunities, finding companies that are within driving distance is important because many companies require that you be able to commute for on-site training. Paid training is usually provided. Keep in mind that you may be responsible for finding your own health benefits, however, as some companies do not provide health coverage for those who work from home.
Job duties vary based on the services provided by the company, but for many virtual reservation agent opportunities, you should be able to research flights, hotel room availability, make recommendations to customers about travel, quote accurate prices, input reservation data, send verifications, and answer most questions or address complaints that customers have.
The income level you can earn for most of these virtual opportunities will vary based on company criteria. Most jobs start between $7.50-$10.00 with salary differentials given on weekends and holidays. All paid employees reap the benefits of the travel industry, such as free and discounted travel, as well as qualify for standard benefits after a certain probationary period.
Although salaries tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum, home based reservations agents save, on average, up to $4000.00 on their commuting expenses alone. Not sure you can take a salary cut? Add up the cost savings of wardrobe, daycare, and eating out for lunch - and you'll see there's a lot more take home pay in the home-based reservation agent model. And don't forget that you can often write off your job-related expenses in your taxes.
In the end, most employees find working from home, especially in a job that can be stressful at times, allows them to remain focused, relaxed, and gives them more time to spend with family or to pursue other interests.
Rate this Article:
Current: 5 / 5 stars - 2 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/relationships-articles/a-world-of-virtual-opportunities-the-trend-toward-workathome-reservation-agents-279354.html
 About the Author:Want to learn more about virtual opportunities? The Little White eBook of Homeshoring Jobs profiles 180+ companies that regular hire home-based workers for inbound and outbound callers, customer care, and tech support - complete with salary information, typical schedules, and the tools you'll need to get the virtual job you want. All of our readers get free updates for life.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
How important are work based achievements on my CV?
By: imconfused.com | 23-06-2008
I am currently writing my cv and wondered how important it was to include work based achievements? Do employers really care? Don?t they just care about my qualifications?
Qualification statement
By: Adriana | 19-06-2008
I have to write 5 qualification statements for a leadership program offered at my job (government), and I am completely blocked, I don't even know how to start. I know once I get started I'll be fine. Help?!
Do you think this service is going to help us out?
By: JacobSmith2001 | 19-02-2008
Do you think this service is going to help us out?"InsidersReferral.com , Connects you to someone inside the company".Dose it work?
Sourcing and approaching mentors
By: JtotheA | 14-02-2008
Does anyone know how to source and then approach a potential mentor to an industry that one is interested in?
What's the best way to tell your boss, who is ...
By: jewbaca | 07-02-2008
What's the best way to tell your boss, who is great, that you can't be perfect in your job? For example, part of my job is to check 30 pages of text for perfect grammar, and I just can't do that perfectly. How do I say, with finality, that I'm trying my best, but it will never be perfect?
I need help w/work
By: Dayzz | 05-02-2008
I have couple of questions, they are: Is it okay for my boss to ask for a 24hr notice, incase I get sick and wont be able to go to work the next business day? How often are they suppose to give you a raise, as a part time job? I work for 5 different Doctors and Therapist (front and back office for all 5), what would be the minimum salary? and finally How can I quite without leaving a bad image of been a quitter? Thank You Sincerely Dayzz.
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Relationships Articles
Cute Pick Up Line That Works Almost Every Single Time
By: Oliver Turner | 08/10/2008
Here's a cute pick up line that's guaranteed to make women smile. If you use this, then women will be super attracted to you.
Where Can I Find Girls?
By: Oliver Turner | 08/10/2008
You're about to discover 21 cool places where you can find unlimited numbers of girls you can meet anytime you want.
How to Get Your Ex Back Without Manipulive Tactics
By: Jim Matthews | 08/10/2008
People mostly miss their loved one for many reasons. Breaking with a woman is really a hard thing to every guy and it is not very easy to get his girlfriend back. If you can't forget your girlfriend, don't be frazzled. Get your loved one back by doing what she...
Engagement Announcements: How to Deal With Negative Responces
By: Pamela Kazmierczak | 08/10/2008
It can hard to believe how anyone can respond negatively to your annoucement of being engaged, but it happens. Sometimes the people who are most negative are the ones closest to us, the ones we love the most. How do you respond? How do you react? How do you deal with it? Read on for more information.
Beauty Products for Pleasure
By: Matt Ridler | 08/10/2008
Beauty products have been around since the beginning of civilization. Almost every little girl has sat at her mother's dressing table and tried on her lipstick, doused herself with bath powder and dabbed on a little perfume.
What Makes a Woman's Perfect Date
By: Marvin Perry | 08/10/2008
Some rules that women should follow when going on a date.
Ready, Set, Deliver - the Best Wedding Speech or Toast Ever!
By: Donna Ennis | 07/10/2008
If you're best man, father of the bride or maid of honor, learn to give a speech or toast the bride and groom will never forget.
The Perfect Gifts for Any Redneck Occasion
By: Fred Morris | 07/10/2008
Christmas is right around the corner and gift buying can be challenging enough without even considering what to get for friends that are admitted rednecks. Well, don't fret- here are some suggestions for those special people on your list that will work for any occasion.
More from Melissa Brewer
A World of Virtual Opportunities: the Trend Toward Work-at-home Reservation Agents
By: Melissa Brewer | 13/12/2007 | Careers
Airlines and others in the hospitality industry are hiring workers to work from home.
Virtual Secretary Jobs: Should You Start Your Own Virtual Assisting Business?
By: Melissa Brewer | 11/12/2007 | Careers
If you've been looking for a virtual secretary job or online data entry job, and haven't had any luck, you may have considered starting your own virtual assistant business. A virtual assistant works for themselves - and creates their own client base. If you want to work from home and...
Virtual Call Center Jobs: How Can You Become An At-home Customer Service Agent?
By: Melissa Brewer | 14/11/2007 | Careers
There's been a lot of buzz in the call center industry regarding the use of home-based call center agents. While a relatively new phenomenon, the use of US-based workers in geographically dispersed locations has allowed call centers to grow, and manage growth, while maintaining higher levels of customer satisfaction.
In fact,...
How To Stand Apart As A Virtual Job Applicant
By: Melissa Brewer | 14/11/2007 | Careers
A job with a home-based call center or other virtual employer is an enviable position. It's important to realize that a desire and ability to work from home is NOT considered a skill by potential employers. Home-based employers are looking for good workers that fit their company's ideals, values, and...
Standing Apart as a Home-based Job Applicant
By: Melissa Brewer | 05/11/2007 | Careers
A job with a home-based call center or other virtual employer is an enviable position. It’s important to realize that a desire and ability to work from home is NOT considered a skill by potential employers. Home-based employers are looking for good workers that fit their company’s ideals, values, and goals
Homeshoring Brings Legitimate Work-at-home Jobs Into American Homes
By: Melissa Brewer | 05/11/2007 | Careers
Homeshoring has become much more than a buzz word for thousands of work at home moms, rural workers, veterans and other home-based job applicants across the U.S. Hundreds of companies have returned their call centers home – to remote workers – and in turn, have created new opportunities for thousands of Americans hoping to work from home.
Online Branding Secrets: Build a Truly Recognizable Presence on the Web
By: Melissa Brewer | 05/06/2007 | Viral Marketing
What sets businesses apart is their web branding. Branding is a combinations of ideas, beliefs, and loyalty that people share about a product or company. You can always elevate your brand by reaching your audience more effectively. Let's take a look at what a modern website can do to stand apart from the competition. Online branding can be simple if you look at it through a scientific perspective. The fact is that consumers learn (even about brands) through different styles. By appealing to your
Webmercial Marketing : Quick, Easy and the Cheap
By: Melissa Brewer | 18/05/2007 | Marketing
This article explores the how's and why's to making a simple webmercial using slideshow widgets to promote your website and products with rich media.
|
|
Relationships 
