Southwest is looking for a few good baggage handlers.

On Friday, the company announced it plans to hire 500 new ramp workers at various locations including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston and Baltimore.

“The ramp agent position can be demanding, with nontraditional hours and exposure to a wide variety of weather conditions,” said Southwest’s vice president of people, Julie Weber.

The Dallas-based carrier said it may pay relocation costs for some applicants who live more than 100 miles from the job location. Applications are accepted online.

The ramp workers, who are represented by the Transport Workers Union Local 555, have said the carrier does not have enough staff to handle the larger 737-800s that are now in Southwest’s fleet. The more than 10,000 ground workers have been without a new contract for more than three years and held informational picketing at Love Field during the holidays last year.

Source: Star Telegram