Articles
Carriers Corner: Air, Ocean, Rail, Road Topics
U.S. Airlines Need an Attitude Adjustment
Airlines in the United States contain a hidden treasure. But through indifference, disinterest, and even disdain, this treasure never will reveal its true worth unless and until senior airline management realizes the importance of freight operations. The passenger side of the industry is doing comparatively well five years after the Sept. 11 attacks—with packed airplanes […]
Read MoreCarrier Challenges Are Your Challenges, Too
One attractive component of the logistics industry is the variety of problem-solving opportunities it offers. Currently, inflationary costs pressuring carriers is the biggest problem-solving opportunity in the supply chain. The entire industry is wrestling with this challenge—and will be for the foreseeable future. Discussing the prospect of ongoing cost escalations is a challenging conversation to […]
Read MoreFashion Thinks Global: The ‘Pat Riley’ Effect
While in Bangkok recently, I visited an Indian tailor to have some shirts made. As I was describing the type of collar I wanted, the tailor interjected, “Oh, the Pat Riley!” Pat Riley is, of course, the successful NBA basketball coach. Perhaps a household name in America, but among traditionally dressed turbaned Indian tailors in […]
Read MoreHow To Be A Better Shipper
Shippers utilizing the services of cross-border carriers, third-party logistics providers, or other intermediaries to transport freight across international borders should always demand a high level of service. But service is a two-way street. Here are some ways you can help your carriers provide timely pickup and delivery, while ensuring a seamless flow of goods up […]
Read MoreDon’t Put All Your Eggs In China’s Basket
I recently gave a speech at a Trans-Pacific Air Cargo Conference in Los Angeles titled, “Don’t Put All Your Eggs in China’s Basket,” and I was practically booed offstage. The audience did not want to hear negative, derogatory, or dismissive talk about the booming China economy. My listeners were the economic counterparts of religious evangelists; […]
Read More7 Tips for Negotiating Small Parcel Contracts
Small businesses are the cornerstone of the U.S. economy, representing 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. A vast amount of small package freight moves throughout the United States on behalf of these companies, and in most cases, parcel carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and the […]
Read MoreWringing Benefits from New Hazmat Regulations
With the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Hazmat Threat Assessment Program firmly in place, motor freight carriers and drivers face a new reality. While the program itself grew from provisions in the federal Patriot Act, and requires states to impose tighter oversight of security risks, the ultimate responsibility for fulfilling its demands falls squarely on carriers […]
Read MoreCan Collaboration Cure the Capacity Crunch?
Today’s capacity crisis is a perfect storm of volume limitations spanning three major modes of transportation: truck, rail, and ocean. Driver pay and work/life balance are key issues affecting capacity in the trucking industry. The industry is losing drivers to careers with higher pay and more attractive lifestyles. Carriers today are also more disciplined about […]
Read MoreShort Sea Shipping: Long On Benefits
To help meet the current congestion crisis on U.S. highway systems and rail networks, the Department of Transportation and the U.S. Maritime Administration are promoting short sea shipping as an environmentally friendly, timely, and cost-effective way to expand freight capacity. The practice uses existing vessels and infrastructure to move freight between coastal ports, and between […]
Read MoreHelp Your Carrier; Be a Better Shipper
When employing a carrier to move loads, shippers often do not realize how big a part they actually play in the delivery of the shipment. When shipping loads, it is incumbent on all involved parties to provide accurate, complete, and detailed information to ensure the end customer receives the shipment in a timely manner. If […]
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