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A R C H I V E S

P R O F I L E

COOL HAND ORVILLE

Orville Hart, Air Jamaica cargo manager and Nanette Duncan, manager BWIA Cargo

     Orville Hart admits that he is not quite sure that his name, which dates back to the origins of aviation, was a lead pipe cinch guaranteeing he would spend his lifetime in this business.
     But “Cool Hand” Orville, who measures his pace in life with the same simpatico rhythm of the easy English that he speaks, has no doubt that the world of air cargo in Miami is alive and well and will continue its record-breaking climb to greatness, once war, pestilence and uncertainty currently raging in various parts of the world calm down a little.
     For as long as anyone can remember, Orville Hart has been the go-to-guy when it comes to Jamaica, W.I. Cargo.
     To say that Orville is a fixture at Miami International Airport is an understatement.
     His easy-going style is punctuated with a lyrical, smooth vocal delivery, which seems to drip like honey around any place he chooses to be. It is a genuine expres- sion of his nearly 40-year air cargo professionalism.
     Orville Hart is an air cargo treasure; a nice human being who gets the job done. Against all odds, Orville Hart has kept traffic moving through Air Jamaica’s state-of- the-art Miami hub.
     At times there have been four freight- ers, sometimes three. But whatever the pure cargo lift, supplemented by the carrier’s growing fleet of A340 and other aircraft, what Orville is good at, is getting close to the shipper.
     In a world that doesn’t care, Orville does.
     During a time in air cargo when everybody has an excuse, Orville doesn’t.
     He goes out and looks for new business.
     While others look for sympathy, Orville Hart dons his signature dark glasses, points his car into the sun and heads out to the forwarders.
     “Here comes “Cool Hand” Orville, the people say.
     When many cargo people half his age, are old and tired, “Cool Hand,” still fresh and new, is looking for new possibilities.
     “Well, we did pretty well with this commodity or that commodity, but then ocean got better, lowered prices and convinced some shippers that two or three days is not that big a deal.
     “So we constantly have to look for new combinations.
     “But believe me, they are out there for the getting.
     “Just today, we are talking to some flower growers in Thailand. Now orchids are a big number for us in Jamaica. Maybe we can connect something here and drive some new trade patterns with our perishables expertise.”
     We are sitting in a small kitchen area just off to one side of Air Jamaica’s Miami International Airport air cargo operation.
     Actually the place is more like a giant reefer than anything else, although in addition to perishables, all kinds of consignments including clothing and high-tech stuff are moving through the place.
     Warehousemen come and go, each with a respectful but close and easy hello to Mr. Hart.
     Presently Nanette Duncan, Orville’s opposite number at BWIA Cargo happens into the room.
     He stands up and declares:
     “Time for our daily hug.”
     And just like that, the two embrace and laugh together. For a moment I think, Maybe that’s what this airline, air cargo business needs right now; a great, big collective hug and conviction amongst ourselves that everything will be alright.
     Maybe if everybody just hugged everyone else once in a while, we might feel better.
     It’s funny how the times can affect your sensibilities.
     But if you say all of this sounds nuts, ask yourself one simple question:
     In this crash and burn economy, have you heard any better ideas lately?
     Air cargo, Orville Hart assures us, is no after thought at Air Jamaica.
     “For more than three decades, Air Jamaica Cargo has offered superior service to our customers both locally and overseas. We guarantee our customers more frequency and cargo capacity into Jamaica than any other airline, and the willingness to always go the extra mile.
     “We offer the best cargo service to Jamaica, for individuals, as well as for the micro-business sector and large corporations. Additionally, Air Jamaica Cargo is the prime carrier of Jamaica’s agricultural produce to North America. We ensure that our local farmers and exporters meet their deadlines, with no compromise in quality. With over 350 flights each week to major destinations in North America, Europe and the Caribbean, Air Jamaica offers tremendous cargo capacity.
     “Our rates are affordable and competitive for cargo being moved on our regular passenger flights, as well as on our scheduled freighter service, operating on our busiest route between Jamaica and Miami. Air Jamaica Cargo’s Head Office is located at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.
     “The sales and operations teams are headed by Director of Cargo, Kirk Kennedy with team support from Station Managers at all Air Jamaica Cargo destinations. There are also dedicated sales and marketing teams in Jamaica, Miami, New York and Sales Agents in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. The sales team in Jamaica also has responsibility for the Caribbean.
     “Air Jamaica Cargo commands 70% of the airfreight market between Jamaica and the rest of the world.
     “We are able to achieve this dominance through operating hubs in Miami and Montego Bay. The combination of both hubs allows for the ease of transfer and connection of freight between North America and the Caribbean. Our ability to transfer freight to Europe has been boosted by our A340 service with a capacity of approximately 165,000 kilograms weekly.”
     So hooray for “Cool Hand” Orville Hart. Hugs and all, he brings out the best in people. He is a positive force in air cargo.
     Something good always comes from that..
     One of the things we discover is that although Jamaica WI is out there as a tourist and cargo destination, people who have not been to the country are really not all that familiar with the place.
     Here are some facts and history.
     The capital of Jamaica is Kingston
     The island nation gained its independence on August 6, 1962.
     With a total population of 2.6 million, approximately 50.4 percent of the population live in rural areas.
     The ethnic origin of Jamaicans is primarily African (over 90.0 percent).
     An estimated 30.0 percent of the population is of mixed ethnic origins - East Indian, Chinese and European. Although Christian denominations predominate, diverse religious beliefs are represented.
     The official language is English, but most of the people speak an English-based Creole.
     When first visited by Christopher Columbus in 1494, Jamaica was populated by its original inhabitants, the Arawak Indians.
     Jamaica was a Spanish colony from 1494 until 1655, when it was captured by the British.
     Jamaica became known for the wealth of its sugar plantations under the British in the 18th Century. The sugar plantations were run by slave labor from Africa.
     Emancipation of the slaves took place in 1838 and at the time, indentured labor from India and China was imported to work on the sugar estates.
     In subsequent years, setbacks in the sugar industry brought the island economic hardship.
     After the long period of direct British colonial rule, Jamaica began to gradually achieve local political control in the late 1930’s.
     This was a time of social unrest and violent upheaval as political leaders pushed for universal adult suffrage, which was ultimately achieved in 1944. Jamaica’s leading political parties were formed during this period - The Jamaica Labor Party headed by Sir Alexander Bustamante and the People’s National Party headed by Norman Manley.
     In 1958, Jamaica joined the West Indies Federation, but withdrew in 1961 following a referendum. Complete independence from the United Kingdom was attained in August 1962, although Jamaica remains a member of the British Commonwealth.
     Today, the island nation is a destination for carefree vacations at any number of lavish resorts that dot the shoreline from Montego Bay to Negril.