FAQ
What are your requirements to apply to The Travel Academy?
1.Students must be atleast 17 years old and acquiring a high school diploma or GED.
2.The Travel Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or age.
3.Those that hold a felony will not be able to attend The Travel Academy. Airlines hold strict guidelines on whom they will employ and won't employ.
4.Because class size is limited, we encourage early enrollment.
What is the best way to prepare for attending The Travel Academy?
We recommend that students review the study guide that is available online, as you will be tested on it within the first few days of class. We also recommend students review the necessary paperwork and documents that will aid in your success at The Travel Academy. To aid in gathering necessary information for your ten year background, completing an FBI Background Check/Record is highly recommended, though not required. By completing the FBI Background Check/Record, you will be able to know your previous addresses of residence, work history addresses, driving record, criminal history, etc. It is highly recommended that you bring your passport with you while attending The Travel Academy, or be in process of receiving your passport. This will make applying for jobs and going to interviews possible.
Do you have student housing available for travel school students?
Yes, student housing is available for out of town students. We rent fully furnished two bedroom apartments. The apartments include full kitchens with dishes, beds including pillows and linen, dining room, living room, wireless internet, and cable tv. The bathroom has a separate dressing area, allowing for more room.
What does rent include?
Aparments rent by the week and include all utilities. You are responsible for food, laundry, and cleaning supplies. Laundry is approximately $1.75 to wash and $1.75 to dry.
How far is the student housing located from the school and surrounding entertainment? The Travel Academy is located approximately a mile and a half from the student housing. Local transportation is available to and from school. Student housing is located approximately 5 blocks from the Mall of America. Walmart, Target, and other grocery stores can be reached from local transportation. You can catch all major bus routes from the Mall of America. How are student arrivals coordinated for those staying in student housing? The housing manager will contact you approximately two weeks before your scheduled class begins to schedule your arrival time. If you arrive outside your scheduled arrival time, you are responsible for finding transportation and housing accomodations until new arrangements with the housing manager has been made. If you are driving, you will be required to have a parking pass in order to park at the student housing complex. A staff member will meet you at the apartments (during your scheduled time only) to assist with move-ins. If you are flying in, a staff member will meet you at the airport outside of baggage claim (during your scheduled time only) to assist with housing move-ins. If for some reason you miss a flight, your car breaks down, and new arrangements must be made, you must contact the housing manager to make new arrangements.
How am I required to dress when attending school?
Students are required to wear business casual attire during class. Casual days are allowed per approval from the instructors. Students are expected to have a suit for interviewing days, guest speakers, professional appearance checks, and for when students are contacted by employers for interviews. Remember to plan to dress for the seasons when attending The Travel Academy. Learn more about required dress
What exactly will I be trained in at The Travel Academy?
Both the 120 hour accelerated and 300 hour expanded programs will bring you an overview of the travel industry. You will learn the following in either program:
-Flight attendant training
-Airline industry operations
-Travel agency operations
-Reservations, Accessing flight schedules
-Worldspan Reservation System
-Fares, restrictions and ticketing
-Ticket|Gate agent procedures
-Domestic and international geography
-Cruise line operations
-Tour company operations
-Car rentals
-Hotel and car reservations
-Time zones and 24 hour clock
-Aircraft configurations
-Resume, Cover letter, and interviewing strategies
-Career development and job placement
What are some of the jobs in the travel industry?
In addition to the major airlines, such as Delta, American, United, US Airways, etc., there are many regional airlines in the US that either work with or are owned by the major airlines. These regional airlines are almost always hiring flight attendants, customer service & gate agents, reservationists, and many other positions, and are a great way to get into the industry and work up to the major airlines if you wish. Airlines start hiring employees at the age of 18 and continue hiring employees into their 60's.
Majority of travel agency organizatiosn such as American Express, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, AAA Travel, Travel Leaders, and many other sucessful brick and mortar travel agencies are also continuing to thrive and adapt to the new technologies in the industry. There are also numerous Internet travel websites, all needing quality travel industry trained employees. Your training at The Travel Academy will prepare you for these postions as well as a career in other areas of the travel industry, including, tour providers, cruise lines, car rental companies, hotels, and resorts.
Is it true that travel agents are still in high demand even though people can book their own travel online?
Although the Internet has allowed people to book their own basic travel arrangements, travel agents are still in demand for vacation packages, honeymoon trips, tours, and cruises. Furthermore, the advent of online booking has created a need for a new kind of travel agent... One who backs up the website. Each internet booking site has live agents available to help customers with any challenges and assist in travel reservations. These sites use the Worldspan Global Distribution Reseration System (which is at The Travel Academy) for making all travel arrangements. And remember, if you becoe a travel agent, there are a variety of opportunities in the travel industry besides travel agencies.
Do you work with students on career development?
Yes, The Travel Academy educates students on how to properly prepare a resume and cover letter as well as how to dress professionally and how to interview. The Travel Academy works with students until they are hired and then when they want to get rehired at another travel related position. Students also receive lifetime access to our private job hotline. Students receive access to the job hotline after reaching half way through their course.
