“There’s
a new spirit of optimism and a momentum toward innovation within the United
Cargo team – and our customers are sensing this as well,”
said Robbie Anderson, President-United Cargo as Air Cargo Symposium in
Los Angeles takes off this week.
“This is an offshoot of many positive
developments in the new year and a number of enhancements that are either
in planning or in place.
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“Firstly, United
Cargo, previously coupled with Airport Operations, is now our own separate
division within United Airlines.
“This change has a number of important
benefits: it accentuates the importance of Cargo to the United enterprise,
and it allows the Cargo Division to focus on the projects and initiatives
that create the most value for our customers.
“The primary advantage of this shift
is that field-based staff responsible for cargo operations in United’s
hubs and many other key cities are now members of the Cargo Division.
“Our greater control over station
resources is already producing a more consistent shipment process across
all locations.
| Techno Gee
Whiz IT Delivering |
“Next, as our technology
has stabilized, we are evaluating and planning to implement the advancements
needed to be a leader in this area.
“We are not where we want to be technologically,
but the foundation on which our UC360° system is built is leading-edge.
“Along with phase two of our system
rollout, we are targeting the addition of several of the features and
functions our customers want most: web enhancements and mobile platforms,
expanded eCommerce and messaging capabilities, and greater access to our
leading network through optimal use of the system’s capacity management
tools.
| TempControl
Sets The Table |
“A focal point of
our product development in 2014 is TempControl – our service for
shipments requiring temperature-controlled transport.
“Along with developing product- and
route-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs), we invest in a great
deal of groundwork and training and before we “certify” a
station to handle this product.
“Through a coordinated global effort,
we have increased the number of TempControl-certified stations to 45 with
10 more planned to come on line this year.
“To elevate this service to the next
level, last week we announced the launch of our new “Control Tower”
for the planning and management of TempControl.
“This approach features a highly-trained
team of specialists who provide TempControl customers a single point of
contact through all phases of the shipment lifecycle – from pre-booking
to post-recovery.
“The most important benefit for our
customers is that the many complex processes, data elements and communication
touch points needed for a flawlessly executed shipment are managed by
a one group.
“One hands on attention increases
our and our customer’s knowledge and control of the shipment at
every milestone.
“An issue that is
generating more attention and activity – for United Airlines, United
Cargo, and for both the airline and air cargo industries – is our
suite of programs to reduce the impact of our business operations on the
environment.
“We’re proud that United, through
our many Eco-Skies initiatives, is an industry leader in this area.
“Last month United became the first
airline in the world to fly with the Split Scimitar Winglet.
“This new design reduces fuel consumption
by up to 2% per aircraft – in addition to the 5% fuel reduction
provided by the basic Blended Winglet configuration we use. “Winglets
and other aircraft modifications, along with replacing old aircraft with
new, more fuel-efficient models and a number of operational and procedural
changes, enabled United to achieve our aggressive goal of saving 85 million
gallons of fuel in 2013.”
“But Air cargo’s
response to the challenge to become “greener” is the subject
of both my presentation (“Mandatory Reporting of Carbon Footprints”
and my panel participation (“Air Cargo and the Environment: Are
We Doing Enough?”) at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in LAX this
week.”
“Another thing we’re
proud of and that customers have noticed: a few weeks back United Cargo
launched a new ad campaign that reinterprets United’s “flyer-friendly”
brand message for the cargo marketplace.
“The tagline of our new campaign is
“shipping-friendly.” Just like United passengers, our cargo
customers place a high value on a user-friendly experience. “This
means being easy to do business with, being collaborative and solution-oriented,
and providing the products, service and technology that deliver the greatest
benefit to our customers and their businesses.
“Along with emphasizing these “shipping-friendly”
qualities in our new ads, our goal is to convey these qualities in every
customer interaction.
“United Cargo’s new attitude
and customer approach highlights the importance of being a responsible
trusted business partner.
“We want to forge long-term, highly
collaborative, strategic relationships with our partners – negotiating
the partnership rather than the deal.
“These sustainable, long-term business
partnerships are the most effective way to create long-term value for
United Cargo and, more importantly, for our customer partners.”
Geoffrey |
