Talk about passing through the USA air cargo screening boldly! Continental Airlines Cargo says it is applying some Texas “Can Do” Attitude” as it moves (like everybody else) to deliver those highly anticipated August 1 security changes in Houston.
     Part of the “Can Do” is also a “How To”; in an imaginative video, Continental Airlines Cargo subtly delivers the simple message that building solid foundations is the best practice to get air cargo security right.
     The video tells it like it is and is an absolute first for air cargo.
     Keeping it simple has become the Continental Cargo way - or, as my old Pappy used to say:
     “When the going gets tough—the tough get going.”
     “We’re loaded for bear, as long as the bear is less than 125 inches long or 64 inches high,” quipped Jim McKeon, Sr Director Cargo Sales.
     CO bought the big guns: large aperture Advance Technology (AT) X-Ray units capable of screening large single pieces and multiple piece skids of cargo without the need to break them down.
     “These units are being strategically placed in our Newark Liberty International and Houston Bush Intercontinental gateways, facilitating efficient screening of road feeder network and origin shipments.
     “A great supplement to our network that already boasts advanced technology screening in more than 75 stations.
     “It is a critical initiative for maintaining expedited air freight logistics.
     “The new equipment will enable efficient screening (with applicable security surcharge) of banded and shrink-wrapped skids, comprised of homogeneous commodities.”
     “The most significant change in policy for Continental is that effective August 1, 2010, CO Cargo will no longer accept unscreened (non-CCSF), shipper-loaded units (SLUs).
     “Cargo tendered to Continental by a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) may continue to be tendered consolidated on a pallet, on a skid or in container configurations.
     “And Continental supports this program with its pocketbook, waiving security surcharges for CCSF screened shipments.
     Moreover, the carrier is not planning to increase cut-off times.
     “We have been far ahead of the TSA screening milestones and we are optimistic about this one too,” stated McKeon.
Geoffrey/Flossie

iCargo Vision 20/20

     When the New York-based low cost carrier JetBlue migrated from its legacy system to the India- manufactured iCargo for its cargo operations, it was one more feather in the cap of the Thiruvananthapuram-based IBS Software.
     The global recession saw low cargo volumes and forced most ULD suppliers to utilize their assets and manage them judiciously. According to industry pundits, the focus is now on any system that provides effective control and improved utilization of ULD equipment.
      While the debate among cargo heads on whether to outsource ULD management to professional outfits in the business like CHAMPS, Unitpool or Jettainer or to manage the inventory themselves continues, leading IT solutions providers have been churning out solutions.
     The management of ULDs has been one of the top priorities of carriers. Way back in 2005, US Airways was the first U.S. international carrier to outsource its ULD management to Jettainer for five years. At that time, the move was expected to save US Airways nearly $2 million on ULD-related costs of ownership over the duration of the five-year contract through focused management services and dedicated technologies.
     Today, many airlines depend on IT solutions and this is where IBS Software comes in. Its iCargo, for instance, was developed four years ago in collaboration with five leading cargo carriers called the Core Group of Influence (CGI). Since then, the system has undergone enhancements and today, IBS boasts a whopping list of airlines in its portfolio.
      According to V. K. Mathews, (right) Chairman and CEO, IBS Group and an IT-trained engineer, “Twenty-one customers in such a short time is a testimony to the ability of iCargo solution to help transition from legacy systems to next generation systems and the competence of our delivery team.”
      He also pointed out in a written reply to Air Cargo News FlyingTypers that “establishing a single robust cross-departmental IT solution across all cargo business functions can play a significant role in reducing the cost of operations. Given the pace of acceptance of iCargo amongst carriers globally, from startups to the world’s leading airlines, we have every reason to believe that our product is possibly the best new generation cargo solution for the global air freight industry.”
     Talking about iCargo, Akshay Shrivastava, (left) Global Head of IBS’ Airline Cargo Business, mentioned that it was the prime product in IBS Cargo Management suite of products (the others being iCargoLite+, iCargoLite and iCargoNet - an ASP version of iCargo).
      The blueprint of this next generation cargo management system was worked out by IBS along with the CGI. The CGI laid out the concept, which was designed to influence the development of the product by validating system features and incorporating industry best practices.
     So, while platforms like Java and Oracle were used in the development of the product to enhance the flexibility and robustness of the application framework, a fully web-enabled and browser driven application was created to enhance ease of deployment.
     Chosen by Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), All Nippon Airlines (ANA), Qantas, Austrian, Air Astana and now JetBlue, “it is the only solution in the industry that addresses all automation needs of a cargo carrying airline in one single homogeneous system, be it airport air cargo management, cargo and mail handling, cargo terminal operation, ULD management, cargo and mail, revenue accounting or cargo revenue management.”
      Shrivastava pointed out that the ULD Management module forms the core of iCargo. The application helps airlines track ULD assets across the network while the system also helps to capture ULD loan/borrow transactions and calculates applicable demurrage for agents’ carriers as applicable.
      “Flexibility of operations is a key benefit that is derived, as the application can be used in both airlines (network mode) and cargo handler (airport mode). ULD movements and stock is updated in real time and the application supports seamless integration due to adherence to universal ULD messaging standards. The ULD application can be deployed on a standalone basis or in combination with core airline functions,” added Shrivastava.
Tirthankar Ghosh/Flossie

Chris Lands On His Feet

     When DHL significantly curtailed their domestic operations to concentrate internationally in January 2009, tens of thousands of Americans were laid off and wondering what to do next.
     One of those laid off was Chris Cadigan, account manager with DHL, who decided it was time to take control of his professional future. Armed with his rolodex, leads, and resources, Chris reinvented himself. He became a small business owner, opening a Unishippers franchise location in Long Island.
     Using his business connections from DHL and his transportation sales experience, Cadigan turned a lay off into success.
     “The attractiveness of Unishippers can be attributed to the many parallels the business has with my previous shipping knowledge, which gives me a huge advantage to make an impact in the industry,” said Cadigan.
     “Having already realized that every business needs to ship in some capacity, I’ve positioned my franchise business to play to my strengths, which will not only benefit my own long-term success, but benefit the sustainability of economic growth of local businesses.”
     With more than 285 franchise locations nationwide, Unishippers provides small business owners a complete line of shipping options, including express, ground, freight, and international, all from one company.
     Partnering with more than thirty regional and national shipping carriers, including, UPS, YRC, Estes, and Saia, Unishippers offers small and mid-sized business owners complete shipping options, attractive pricing, state- of-the-art transportation management software, and local customer service.
     “Customers are pleased with the 10-20 percent cost savings off of their annual shipping costs, whilst receiving personalized service, which is a refreshing change from dealing with a customer service center located halfway across the globe,” said Cadigan.
     Off to a fast start since he opened his business last year, Cadigan is even attracting high-level clients. He recently snagged a partnership with Steve Madden Ltd. to handle the footwear giant’s LTL and FTL shipping needs.
     "After an extensive review of our shipping needs, we identified opportunities to improve efficiencies and deliver a more consistent experience for our vendor customers," said Sanjeev Sahni, Vice President Logistics with Steve Madden.
     "Working with Unishippers of Nassau South, we found a partner that understands the type of logistical expertise, coordination and quality of service required and offers the best transport solution for us and our customers."
     Unishippers gives Steve Madden access to dozens of regional and national carriers, which presents the optimal mix of services to meet deadlines and price.
     Chris and his team monitor all shipments moving through the network, guaranteeing predictability levels. He also audits all freight bills to ensure accuracy of invoices, and oversees the scheduling of appointments to large distribution centers in the United States, such as Sears and Wal-Mart.
     "Steve Madden is able to leverage Unishippers logistics expertise, vast carrier base and state of the art technology which results in significant value for its customers," said Cadigan.
     "The benefits are more consistent quality service along with one point of contact to manage all their freight needs. We are available to help them with whatever they need to get their product to market."

Tulsi Mirchandaney

Lise Marie Turpin

Lisa Schoppa

Karen Avestruz

     That Lufthansa Cargo flight that crashed yesterday at 11:38 a.m. local Saudi Arabian time at Riyadh’s King Khaled Airport is not the first loss of an MD-11F.
     In March of last year, the McDonnell Douglas-produced freighter ran off the runway at Tokyo Narita, killing both the Captain and his First Officer. Investigators have long criticized the extremely sensitive flight-control software responsible for having caused sudden nose down or nose up maneuvers, which happened after the launch of the aircraft. A second problem for navigating the craft arises from the tail-heaviness of the plane where all three engines are placed, which complicates control of the MD-11 for the pilots.
     McDonnell Douglas has manufactured exactly 200 MD-11s, both as passenger and cargo variant.
     The last built craft was delivered to Lufthansa Cargo February 22, 2001. So far, the German carrier has a fleet of 19 MD-11Fs, with three being sidelined at a Californian desert and one destroyed in today’s crash at Riyadh airport. (HS)

     “As we have consistently maintained since the outset of this litigation, this case should never have been brought in the first place in a criminal court.
     “This case is, at most, a civil contract dispute over the interpretation of a contract drafted by the government,” said Agility DGS Holdings as the United States Attorney's office in Atlanta on Monday moved to dismiss an indictment against Agility DGS Holdings, a PWC/Agility subsidiary.
     “We remain committed to attempting to resolve this civil contract dispute so that the distraction of litigation is removed and we can continue to focus on our business, including providing the excellent service to the (U.S.) troops that they have come to expect from us,” Agility said.

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