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Archive for March, 2010

Types of Air Freight Options

Due to the inevitable changes occurring around the globe and the need to quickly send and receive various items across countries, the airline industry has birthed a new way of shipment- air freight.

Air freights are basically cargoes on the shipment which are typified into various categories to make shipping more organized and easier. Some primary basis of categorizing air freight are:

Type of the item
How large is the item, in terms of the number of items in the shipment and size, and,
The number of days or hours it takes one shipment to arrive on its pointed destination.

Shipments, on the other hand, are categorized into the following:

Household goods include art pieces, furniture and other similar items which are primarily transported using Household Goods (HHG) carriers such as North American Van Lines and Bekins.

The “Express” category, on the other hand, include personal items and small business goods which are often considered as overnight shipment (or express shipment, express letters, and overnight express). Such transports are carried by shipment companies like FedEx Express, UPS and DHL.

Since most items falling under this category are relatively small and don’t normally weigh heavier than a couple of pounds, they often come in the carrier’s own packaging.

Service levels vary depending on the service offered by the carrier or the personal choice of the shipper. These normally travel by air and may be delivered on the exact day it was sent to the carrier or may take several days of travel.

Packages that are slightly larger and heavier than express items are considered as parcels. These include boxes of shipments, regardless of the content. Carriers like UPS and FedEx Ground provide the services for this type of cargoes. Parcels cover most of the business-to-consumer items and services and don’t often exceed 100 pound-weight category. Since these are relatively small, they often come on the shipper’s or carrier’s own packaging.

Types of services on this category also vary. However, a number of ground shipping can travel for 500 to 700 miles a day in around 3 to four days, depending on the service rendered by the shipper or the service option the customer chose. Such shipments don’t often travel by air, instead they move through road and rail.

Freight shipments cover the largest cargoes in the industry. It is subdivided into two major categories, mainly: LTL of Larger-than-truckload freight and TL or truckload freight.

Less-than-truckload shipments are also known as motor freights. These often cover the bulk of business to business transactions. The range of services vary from carrying 100-pound items up to those not exceeding 15 000 pounds. Since LTL trailers are just as long as 28 inches, most air freights of this kind cannot exceed this length.

Unlike with smaller packages, shipments don’t often come in company packaging.

Truckload freight covers larger shipments from 15 000 pounds to 40 000 pounds with a maximum length of 53 inches. This type of air freight differs from all other categories since these don’t normally stop along the travel and are not intermingled with other shipments. Most are frequently arranged via freight brokers and online marketplaces.

When availing this type of air freight, it is best that one understands in full all the terms covered including the claims, pricing and insurance.

The Success of the Air Freight Forwarding Industry

The Birth…

Even before, flying has been an innovation. Humans before couldnt imagine of a time without journey. All they wanted was to fly. Thats why airplanes were born. Eventually, technology made it a reality for people to ride on the airplane near the pilot. People became restless that they started thinking of some beneficial ways where they can use the plane.

It was on the year 1910 when the idea that a plane can be used to carry shipments began. History revealed that a bolt of silk was the first to be shipped in a plane. The shipment was carried from Dayton to Columbus in Ohio. This was said to be the first demonstration of the air freight.

In 1919, another shipment took place. A converted bomber was shipped by the American Railway Express. The cargo was 1100 pounds, and was transported from Washington D.C to Chicago. Unluckily, the plane and the radiator froze had to land in Ohio. However, that didnt hinder the people from using the plane as freight carrier.

During the late 1920s, more airlines operated as freight carrier. The creation of the freight carrier was used for American business only. The air freight had helped them not only in making the transportation of merchandise rapidly but also the fast pace of the process.

Undeniably, the primitive stages of the air freight business made a remarkable growth.

By the year 1927 to 1931 the number and size of the shipments had increased from 45,000 pounds to almost a million pounds. Though there were some effort at planning and organizing the air freight business, the commercial air freight did not operate until World War II ended.

The top 4 known airlines namely: American, United, TWA and Eastern formed the Air Cargo Inc. The primary mission of the company was to pick up and deliver cargo.

The Air Cargo was active until the end of the world. But in 1944, United and TWA began to be independent and had their own air freight business.

There were lots of small plane owners who wanted to part of the air cargo industry but were not accepted. The big airlines didnt like smaller airlines to operate in the business. One reason for that was the possibility that the small airlines might screw up the constant status of the industry. Another reason was the former didnt want to be involved in a competition.

Unluckily, those small plane operators who tried fell by the pavement. Theres only one that survived- its called the Flying Tigers. The Flying Tigers made it because it carried both military and civilian freight. And it was also known before as the largest in air freight liner industry.

In spite of the good start, the air freight business wasnt developing that much. It didnt work well in the business. Until someone in the name of Fred Smith opened up his new air freight known today as the Federal Express.

The Air Freight Industry Today

Federal express has been known today as one of the successful air freight carrier. With the aid of modern technology, it now uses air freight software to be able to provide the needs of the customers. The air freight software is the latest innovation for freight forwarders. It will resolve any problems in the system plus give you excellent and cost effective services.

Today the FedEx or the Federal Express is linked with the (UPS) United Parcel. The two freight carrier is now known to be the most reliable and trusted air delivery services in the country.

Popular Air Cargo Freights

In the present day, we usually get and receive our material things from different places around the world. We usually dont even know that it came halfway around the world before even getting in your possession. We never even bother to think about them of course, this is all done by freight systems around the world, and one of the most popular is air freight. Air freight is usually used for business purposes and convenience.

Once you want to send a package of any content (usually in bulk or big amounts), we typically send them in air cargo freight services. This simply proves to be efficient and will likely be the fastest mode of transportation for your cargo.

These dedicated companies are divided into two divisions; International Freight Forwarders, which ship goods to other countries or Domestic Freight Forwarders which ship goods within one country.

Various methods of shipping goods are simplified on your needs; this depends on the importance of the cargo being shipped. For example, you need to send product samples from Los Angeles to France for verification, hence express cargo would be your choice. Charges will also depend on the value being shipped.

Air Cargo Freight is likely to be a different situation than the mode of the efficiency of cargo being sent in less time, there are many of freight companies in the United States alone, this will likely be a hassle to anybody who wants the best reputable shipping. There are many good choices of freight service companies; however, this will depend upon the fee. Fees is another factor, you can usually compare them online as there are many sites that will offer a good comparison of services in contrast to the shipping fees itself.

The freight is usually measured on gross weight, value which is then sent forth to the carriers tariff or rates. This will grant rights to the carrier but will never open the containers or packages. If the particulars are not matching or sent to the wrong address, you will likely pay for the expenses incurred during the examination, measurement of value and the freight charge itself.

In the usage of aircrafts being used, large cargo shipping airlines usually use the latest and greatest but many of them use older models such as the Boeing 707, Boeing 727, Douglas DC-8 just to name a few. Some do use much older models but it involves replacement and strengthening of parts to be usable for cargo services. Some airlines tend to carry a few passengers from time to time to minimize the cost of shipping. Also airline freighters which are dedicated to transportation of goods are mostly divisions or subsidiaries of large passenger airlines.

Notable shipping companies around the world are always on the top of their business, here are some of them which you will likely choose but this article has no connections to any of these companies and does not promote nor advertise them, these are used for reference purposes only.

Federal Express
Korean Air
Lufthansa Cargo
United Parcel Service
Singapore Airlines Cargo

You can simply find your best air cargo freight service by your own experience. People will likely choose their local air freight forwarders just for their preference; yours can be different to your liking. Just remember the factors that you need to weigh to get the best out of your money and satisfaction.

Doing it the People’s Way with Air Canada Freight

Everyday around the world, people are constantly in need of a service provided that can transport their packages from one destination to the other. In answer to this need, air Canada freight is continuously upgrading their strategies and methods to cater to satisfy their customers’ need.

In addition, this freight service is also expanding in different parts of the world. This is because it is important that even far off places have their own reliable air freight provider.

What people are looking in an air freight provider?
1. Reliability.

People want their packages to be handled and delivered properly. This is because they want their packages to arrive at its destination in the same condition that is sent. That is why people want their service provider to be reliable.

Gaining the trust of customers is not that easy. They are always on the lookout for another which will is better than what they have already. But then, once they know that no other company can do what theirs are capable of, that is the time when they will be converted to loyal customers.

Showing the customers how reliable you are will gain more repeat clients. In addition, they are likely to recommend you to other people who might be in need of the same service.

2. Competitive price.

When people think of air freight services, the first thing that comes to mind is the price. Because of the nature of the business, it is a common misconception that it is expensive and that not everyone can afford them.

With the many competing air freight services now available, there are already sudden changes in the price already. Before, customers need to pay for the customs fee or rates that are converted depending on the destination.

Nowadays, you can easily choose one provider that offers the best service at the lowest price.

3. Speed of service.

There are air freight services that do not conform to the promised time of delivery. This is what irritates customers the most. Before you know it, they will be looking for another provider that delivers what they say they will.

The speed of service is one of the vital factors needed in an air freight service provider. That is the initial purpose of the packages after all. It can be noted that the speed of the delivery should not compromise the quality of the package. These two should go hand in hand. Without the other, it can never work.

4. Far reaching.

Ever been in a situation wherein your provider did not accept your package because they do not cater to that certain destination? This can really irritate customers.

Packages are sent not only on usual locations and famous places. There are also important materials or things that should be sent to locations that are just as important.

The air freight service provider should know have a comprehensive knowledge about important places that are not the usual point of delivery. There should have one or two employees who should specialize in the familiarization of different localities.

Air Canada freight is aware of what people want in their service provider. This is the reason why there are continuous updates on how best to improve the tools, machines and the personnel that they have. If this means that they will be on top of the list of air freight provider, then all the effort will definitely be worth it.

Why Everybody is Enjoying that Air Freight Advantage

The popularity of air freight services can be attributed to the many advantages that it can give to the people. Not only are you assured that your package will arrive in the best condition, you are also assured that it will be received not a moment too late.

In the past, people were not anymore too happy about sending packages. There were a lot of complaints about lost packages and damaged or missing goods. Those who have not availed of air freight services became wary of using one.

In time, air freight services realized that the only way to maintain customer satisfaction is to provide them with the best of service. In the highly competitive market of today, there is little doubt where customer will put their trust into. And that is for the service that can bring their packages in their desired destination on time and in the best condition.

Other advantages of air freight services.

Global.

Having branches around the world is very important. This is because timely reports are needed about the present weather condition in a specific place or location. Since packages are set to be delivered at the certain time, it is vital that it should be delivered as promised.

The air freight service should be updated about weather conditions as well as other important factors that might hinder on-time delivery. Knowing about these factors beforehand, they will be able to consider other methods or strategy so that the delivery will not be compromised.

As long as there are frequent updates on the situations around the world or in the location where the package is headed, customers can expect their shipment to be received safely and on time.

Door-to-door.

People are not into going out and picking up their packages. This is especially for those who are too busy with other things to bother picking up a package and those who need to take the trip just to get to the pick-up location.

Air freight services offer door-to-door delivery. Now you do not have to leave your home just to get your package. As long as the sender gave out the detailed location, the handler will be able to locate them easily.

These services are equipped with a map of their area. Every street and corner is presented in the map. In addition, the delivery people are highly trained to know the quickest route to the point of destination. The best of the best freight service will even guide the delivery up until the package is delivered at the receiver’s front door.

Anywhere and anytime.

Air freight services are on call whenever and whenever you need them. These services know that when it comes to delivering important things and materials, every second counts.

Some air freight services are even open 24 hours. Their customer service is also on call whenever people want to ask for information or track down their packages.

Wherever you are in the world, you can always find a number of air freight services that will provide you with the kind of service that you need.

Why wait for the next holiday to bring home your package. And why wait for someone you can trust to send that long overdue materials. Make the most of the advantages that air freight services can give you today.