Flyingtypers Cargo Talks!

Terms of Endearment . . . United Cargo wins Sustainability Award at The International Air Cargo Association TIACA San Francisco Executive Summit March 23. Jan Krems, who never in his imagination would have planned a situation like this, as President United Cargo almost singlehandedly saved the airline with the most ambitious cargo program in airline history,  accepted the award saying simply: “I am proud to be in an industry that is really delivering.” Stars fell on San Francisco Wednesday night. At 96 years since its founding in Vienna in 1926 ,FIATA has outlived and in many cases outclassed most industry organizations in transportation. Meet some of the outstanding members of this "United Nations of Cargo" here, and beginning on May 17 when The FIATA Headquarters Session meets in Geneva. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

Bill Spohrer had done about as much as anyone you ever met to lift organized cargo when he served as CEO of Miami-based Challenge Air Cargo. He became a driving force of a great all-cargo enterprise based at MIA that landed four square behind a new idea for a trade show called Air Cargo Americas and also helped lift the comeback of TIACA. Bill celebrated reaching 90 years of age last June 11th. Today, living quietly and comfortably out of touch in Florida with wife Lynn, Bill is smiling his way toward 91 years of age in just about four months. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

When the 2022 version of Air Cargo Americas/Supply Chain Americas Show launches this week on Tuesday March 8 after having suffering its 2021 version postponed because of COVID, the event venue will look pretty much the same as always. Maybe after all the uproar of the past two years that continues, 105 booths and 1,500 people signed up with many walk-ins always a factor at this event can be looked upon as some kind of miracle. For those of us who operate whilst in Miami on coladas and pastries from Vito’s on Curtiss Parkway, the return to this place with its vibrance is always a happy one. It’s about the people there and that this is the only true airport cargo show in the world sponsored by an airport, Miami International. No other airport in the world has a biennial cargo event of this size and dimension that has lasted as long, nor greeted more members of the air cargo industry --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

Say A Prayer For Imma As Imma van der Walt was undergoing brain surgery at Duke University Medical Center in a nine plus hour procedure meant to arrest an enlarged brain tumor, her Dad, well-known and respected transportation executive Lionel van der Walt and Mom, the always gracious and lovely Ilonka were standing by as the procedure continued all day Monday February 21 I spoke to Lionel, who said: “Never been this scared of anything in our lives before, but we know the surgery must be done. “Feeling rather "small" and helpless today. "Wish there was something we could do to help her, but it's out of our hands. “The worst feeling ever!” Here were people that are operating flat out to summon up the courage that is the resistance to master fear during the most challenging moments of their lives together. Asked what we in air cargo can do at that time, Lionel said simply: “Thanks to everyone that might say a prayer, for Imma." So we asked our readers of Flying Typers worldwide to join together and share a praye

Happy Valentine's Day It is that time of the year when love shines. But India’s flower growers/exporters will hardly feel the warmth of love this Valentine’s Day 2022. Cupid will once again bring tears – like last year – to flower growers/exporters. Many had hoped that exports would rise but that did not happen. Farewell Alfred Kuehlewind We were saddened to learn of the death of Alfred Kuehlewind this past weekend in Los Angeles. In 1974 Alfred opened Commodity Forwarders Inc. (CFI) as a one-man office in Los Angeles specializing in perishables products, especially strawberries to Europe by air. In 2017, CFI became part of Kuehne+Nagel. A Lunar New Year Story It is apparent to almost anyone traveling on business that there isn’t enough time to enjoy authentic local scenery. Since no time for anything more than survival COVID business as usual has been unusual, to say the least. But now while the veil seems to be lifting here in the U.S. we can maybe get back and stick our toe in the water. --- Support thi

For the first time since Daniel Fernandez picked up the baton from the first TIACA DG, the late Garth Davies, TIACA has a running chance as the world emerges from the depths of lockdown and uncertainty to what could be a new deal as an organization. The place was called The Owl and it was located just outside the airport on the corner of Farmers & Guy R. Brewer Blvd., and what fun it was. The Owl, a local air cargo haunt operated by Joe “Owl” Mancusi was reportedly an occasional gathering point for the gang that planned and later held up Lufthansa Cargo and were immortalized in a book and the movie “Goodfellas”. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

In this COVID-19 (semi) lockdown early-February 2022 as we receive notes of  greetings and good wishes for Christmas cards that were send in early December, we have been thinking, based on the slowdown in the US mail service maybe it is not too early despite the snowfall to think about flowers &. Valentines Day Always a big part of Valentines Day now less than two weeks away , we are wondering if space demand for floral shipments that always cube out before they weigh out will be  severely impacted by demands to move vaccines and other stuff? Any air cargo force worth its salt would be loathe to cast away the flower markets anytime now as junk cargo. Think of all those reefers in MIA and elsewhere masquerading as air cargo terminals. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

Before you Google to ogle, think about the implications of balancing a woman on top of a skyscraper like a Christmas ornament. Lady Liberty she ain't. The latest ad from Emirates features a flight attendant standing atop the almost 3,000-foot Burj Khalifa in Dubai—the tallest skyscraper in the world. Given the context of an ongoing pandemic and the resultant travel woes that have arisen (A recent American Airlines flight from Florida to London that had to return because ONE traveler refused to wear their mask—talk about "you better pipe down back there, or I'm turning this car around!"), one can only hope that most flight attendants do not have to teeter atop the needle point of a skyscraper to earn their keep. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree is a phrase that is typically said in connection with children who show qualities or talents that are similar to those of their parents. When EMO Trans Jenni Frigger Latham appears on the stage in New Orleans at the first panel Wednesday morning to moderate a discussion on sustainability that includes the former Head of IATA Cargo and current President of TIACA Glyn Hughes and the former President of Cargo Network Services (CNS) and current title of PayCargo Lionel Van der Welt, she will be a dynamic freight forwarder leading a discussion of major consequences in a the first welcome back live face-to-face AfA session in two years. Jenni comes from a dynamic pioneering company building freight forwarder culture built by her Dad Joachim "Jo" Frigger, and her Mom, Karin Frigger who accelerated and built EMO Trans, USA from a small office up a long flight of stairs on Rockaway Blvd next to the main runways of John F. Kennedy International Airport into a

Just came across an announcement that American Airlines Hangar 3-5  have been cleaned up at LaGuardia Airport That caught my eye as the notice also  mentioned that the original AA domestic passenger facility at LGA Hangar 1 one of the most historically significant buildings on any airport anywhere had been demolished. Hangars 3 an 5 look OK  in the style of the late 1930s and for sure have a lot of history. But to compare them in value historically with Hangar 1 is like trying to match up  some pseudo paste with the Hope Diamond. This is the place that guaranteed that there would be a LaGuardia with airplanes in New York City in 1939. As the airport was building in 1938 at North  Beach , Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia  still needed an anchor tenant so he set aboutconvincing American Airlines founder CR Smith and the brilliant negotiator CR had just coaxed away from Braniff OM “Red” Red Mosier to move AA's  entire corporate headquarters operation  from Chicago to  

Can't wait to get to an air cargo show?  Airforwarders Association is at just that inside a big downtown  hotel beginning January 17 in New Orleans. You know all about Cargo in Cabin that saved the world and kept the airlines flying for the past two years. Did you know Cargo In Cabin was invented  and performed aboard 40 long range commercial passenger carrying jet aircraft 60 plus years ago by Pan American World Airways Clipper Cargo? Thanks to our readers Bob Rogers and Martin Beasdale we discovered some more of our world that we share with you dear listener right here. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

As we say goodbye to yet another year of pandemic caused by COVID lets remember those parted while looking forward to 2022 hopeful that this seemingly endless string of months that now has turned into years of living in doubt, may finally  move into the broad sunshine of a new day people all over the world pray is soon upon us. Bill Boesch has always been the common sense voice in the throng. From the early days at Seaboard World and at Pan Am Clipper Cargo; serving as President of American Airlines Cargo for Bob Crandall, as logistics specialist at Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was recognized with the USA Medal of Freedom for his dedication and service, and most recently as a key player at Operation Warp Speed, Bill Boesch for more than a half a century has been in the thick of the movement to advance air cargo at the airlines wherever he has served. “For air cargo, Bill says,” 2021 was a year of change.” Jo Frigger gets a long last goodbye. But I have said goodbye a couple of times since he died Apr

Greatest Charity Outreach In The History of Air Cargo Slowly in the U.S. people are getting together, although, in some quarters the feeling continues to prevail that the risk of COVID is still there, so maybe better to lay low. That's not good at all for some people anxious to get back to life, as they try to help others. Recently a cargo fundraiser by Lufthansa Cargo at ORD during of all things, a Christmas Party (remember those?), brought to mind Cargo Human Care headed up by Fokko Doyen. CHC with love at its heart, stands today as the greatest charity effort by anybody in air cargo, Trumpeting progress at the biggest airport for the greatest city in the world is, at best, a dicey proposition. Kindly consider and never forget all traffic at JFK International Airport comes and goes like toothpaste being squeezed through the tiny opening in the tube better known as Van Wyck Expressway. Until someone comes up with a better overland alternative, or launches a cargo water taxi, or comes up with something more t

Mixed in Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and a phalanx of other branded retail days almost too numerous to mention, days between now and Christmas 2021 let's take a deep breath and give thanks to those deliver it by hand to others in need.UPS celebrating 70 years of the UPS Foundation feels like a good place to start. A Slugger Without A Bat The exemplary In the game of baseball who is able to hit the ball far distances for home runs and extra base hits just three times times every ten at bats can be called a "slugger" Hank Aaron was a slugger, Joe Di Maggio was a slugger, Ted Williams was a slugger, as was Willie Mays. Jerry Trimboli at Scandinavian Airline System (SAS Cargo) was a slugger without a bat; a pioneer industry minded man who also happened to be in my 50 years of service,  head and shoulders amongst the best big league airline cargo transportation executives , ever. Here the exemplary life and times of Jerry Trimboli who passed in February 2020 is remembered. --- Support this p

Some time ago, shipment of dangerous goods by air and the threat to air cargo from unidentified and unlabelled hazardous materials in shipments was described as “The Wild West of Dangerous Goods". Now Radharamanan Panicker has decided to do something about that, having gone out on his own and formed his own company: Dangerous Goods Management (DGM) India. DGM India is a fully recognized dangerous goods training entity in the Indian air cargo market and Panicker is possibly one of the few experts in dangerous goods in the country.  World Cup 2022 In one year’s time (November 21-December 18) begins FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as the eyes of the world will be here watching us which is the biggest single sporting event in the world, with viewing audience of 3.6 billion persons and 1.2 million spectators. This great tournament will be held for the first-time history in the Muslim and Arab world. Thanksgiving USA Memories of the grand traditional American family dinner of Thanks, where minus the COVID, the only t

Has anyone noticed some ominous changes going on at air cargo leadership like IATA? Most distressing is to witness almost a mass exodus of vital key air cargo staff from the ranks of carriers, even though air cargo was carrying the water for these companies during the last 18 months. Does that make any sense? The answer we think is cutting staff in pieces: if you are always thinking passenger, your mentality will always result in good people of air cargo being swept away. I guess thinking about these things, what concerns me most feels like the loss of great expectations: the apparent short sightedness going on right now. We are losing lots of key people in air cargo positions throughout the industry whilst business booms. Where are the engineers of air cargo who are primed and ready to spring into future action with ideas that would allow an even greater future for air cargo? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

Now Alitalia is gone. As you join us today a 74-year saga of the airline business is now gone, maybe forever joining a very long list of airlines that some of us grew up with and thought might never go away. We do not pretend to to know all that much about Alitalia. But we know someone who does and shares his observations here. Marco Sorgetti, the recently retired Director General of FIATA and, for our money, the greatest DG to serve that iconic nearly 95-year old Geneva-based forwarder organization, today is alive and well in Turin, Italy. Here he tells the story from up close and personal of AZ.  We recall delivering our newspaper, the original Air Cargo News founded in USA in 1975, 8 years before some Brits knowingly swiped our name and started up the now German-owned Air Cargo News in London. We came across some cargo workers at one stop, who were living in a container outside Hangar 6 at JFK where AZ Cargo operated. As AZ employees, they were on strike for what seemed like years back in the 199

Newspapers and TV now feature shipping containers as front page news, whilst shoppers frantically clean out Costco, Target and Walmart and other stores to the bare walls as Christmas and end of year holidays fast approach. All in all, 2021 will be remembered for those images and a time everyone was kicking the cans. IndiGo has initiated a freighter program and is in the process of sourcing four A321 aircraft.  “The A321P2F – Passenger-to-Freighter conversion is the most efficient narrow-bodied freighter available, offering 24 container positions and supporting a payload of up to 27 tons,” said William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo, adding that “the delivery of our first freighter is expected in first half of CY2022.” --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

Peter Hansen died on September 9th in Cape Town, South Africa. He was 87.  For thirty-five years from the dawn of modern air cargo, Peter was most important, and amongst his peers a very respected, down on the ground innovative air cargo builder of the last century. You may not know him. We realize that time marching on can be ferocious and people can get lost in the shuffle. But not this time. For air cargo, Peter Hansen simply was the whole package back at the beginning when creativity was the order of the day. Without precedent to fall back upon, Peter was the one with the knowhow to be a driving force for remarkable operations that were created between airline, forwarder and shipper. It was what Henry James described as “grasping imagination” that created airborne traffic where none had existed before. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support

Can you believe it? Scheduled on October 5th for the first time in recent memory, IATA includes an air cargo panel at its passenger AGM titled "What’s Next for Air Cargo After its Heroic Performance in the COVID-19 Crisis?" "Now we are underway building a new state-of-the-art cold chain facility in Greater Toronto Airports Authority Toronto Airport as the next logical step, that will be a 30,000 square foot facility that fully aligns with the rollout of our initial freighter network, which will serve strong perishable markets," Matthieu Casey, Senior Director Global Sales & Revenue Optimization is very optimistic. Jens Roemer, Chair of the Working Group Sea (WGS) of FIATA, is a person on the go: Jens and I checked the first part of this interview from his parent’s house in Hamburg, Germany, his hometown, during a short break. The rest was done whilst he was travelling back to Antwerp, where he lives and works. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/geoffrey-arend/support