Passengers may be complaining about checked bag limits on their next vacation flight to Florida, but that’s only a hint at the limited air cargo space in the freight industry. In January, Miami Today News shared that “Capacity is 2.6 million to 3 million tons a year, a report the mayor sent to commissioners this month says. The report estimates cargo this year at 2.6 million to 2.7 million tons, up from 2.3 million in 2020 and 2 million in 2011, with average annual growth of 1.62%. Demand above capacity is not just on the radar, it’s almost landing here.”
Miami is just one indicator of the overall demand for air cargo handling capabilities. Today it is vital for shippers to stay strategic when handling airport and terminal capacity strains on airfreight services for expedited freight. This article will offer six ways to do just that.
1. Keep Drivers Informed of Changing Air Cargo Status
Although airfreight services are among the most reliable forms of travel due to designated flight departure and arrival times, there is still an opportunity for delay. Inclement weather and aviation employee labor shortage can push back a flight minimally or considerably with just a moment’s notice. Shippers can contract expedited trucking drivers for time on the road instead of waiting at the airport by requiring maximum visibility during transportation. But this hinges on knowing what’s happening and keeping drivers informed of changing air cargo status.
2. Reduce Burden on Your Operators With Digital, Automated Sharing Features
Expedited freight comes with the additional need for operators to communicate between drivers, customers, and decision-makers of shipping and forwarding companies. Freight managers can minimize the additional burden of this communication by incorporating a logistics solution that automates the sharing of data, particularly automatic information through telematics. Telematics utilizes GPS technology to locate an item, even down to the details of how many miles per hour it is traveling. Automating this data sharing minimizes wait time at every step and maximizes efficiency and flow. In turn, it can be helpful in effectively reducing the total demand on dispatchers and operators.
3. Ensure All Documents for Each Airport or Terminal Are Correct
Documents are critical for all business interactions, especially when dealing with airfreight, as each airport maintains its own rules. In some circumstances, an airport’s separate terminals may even have rule variations from each other. To steer clear of avoidable delays, freight scheduling teams must ensure all documents are accurate and complete when working with expedited trucking. While an air waybill may include most data, it’s important to include release letters, delivery orders, and all other possibly relevant forms just in case. However, it’s important to also not to inundate drivers with too many documents.
4. Consider Short-Term Inventory Storage
Shippers and forwarders can strategize their expedited freight with more timely and ready-to-roll-now transportation by utilizing a short-term storage option. This alleviates concerns over finding a warehouse, planning its deconsolidation and scheduling additional pickups to get freight to the destination on time and in full. In turn, customers get their expedited orders and are less likely to return pallets or individual shipments. It’s a win-win for everyone.
5. Have an Expedited Freight Expert Ready to Help
Amidst today’s backed-up ports, expediting has become a standard form of transporting freight instead of the exception. Shippers can more efficiently address their expediting needs by having an expert on hand. Although some companies expedite decisions in-house, outsourcing provides an opportunity for shippers and forwarders to focus on avoiding the need for expediting in the first place. Choosing to partner with a company such as Carrier911 provides that expert available by phone or email 24/7.
6. Use Analytics to Track Performance of Expedited Trucking Services
Not all expediting services are created equal. When forwarders and shippers schedule freight pickup for these expedited orders, the drivers must perform at the expected capacity. By leveraging air ocean cargo logistics, shippers can track the past and present performance of expediting drivers. Using these analytical tools gives current data to make better decisions on trucking partners and helps companies realize where weaknesses in expediting freight may exist.
Accelerate Expedited Trucking and Air Cargo Recovery With Carrier911
Every moment matters when an order bumps from normal priority to high property. Some orders are a high priority from the very start. Shippers and freight forwarders can stay ahead of the competition by incorporating telematics and automated communication. Outsourcing this role to an expediting expert can provide innovative strategies and help shippers get their urgent freight to the destination on time. Contact Carrier911 today to learn how their experts can help your company solve expediting emergencies.
