KAAMCO CARGO COMMITTEE: CARGO PANDEMIC SPREADING
to a ahead around the end of August.
He said no one was prepared for it. The
volume of flights remains steady but
the cargo-in cabin, ad hoc fights and
trucking shortages has multi-carrier
warehouses stretched beyond capacity
waiting for goods to get inside for breakdown.
Phil Jensen of WFS said that volume
is at historic levels for cargo and mail that
include the ecommerce Part 139 packages.
He calls this the Perfect Storm of
labor shortages, warehouse exceeding
100% capacity, ramps full of planes, ad
hoc flights, truck flights more cargo-incabin,
100% security concerns are all hitting
airport ramps at the same time.
As a consequence he says we now
have extreme wait times of days, with
many trucks trying to schedule wait times,
we are now in an emergency status before
the bad weather complicates matters.
WFS is working with the CBP and
Port to workout regulatory issues such as
FIRMS codes and short-term warehousing
in other buildings at the airport.
One manager said this is not isolated
to on-site JFK cargo because off airport
(smaller facilities) are experiencing capacity
issues as well. However this has
restrictions since much cargo is required
to be screened and that can only be done
at bonded warehouse. He calls this a “vicious
cycle” that need to be solved by the
entire community.
Jensen added that ad hoc contractors
don’t accept that they can’t fly into here
with new cargo and he hopes Port can
help us to tell everyone that there is restricted
capacity and we feel obligated to
restrict additional cargo in order to handle
what we have to stay in compliance.
Pete DeBenigno, the trucking representative
on the Committee said, this is
“ a disaster”. There is no room for off airport
container stations as well as driver
and container shortage. “We can’t bring
stuff in and have to sometimes turn
around adding that using the ACE system
might help. He expressed concerns
over fees for storage for delivered goods
not being able to be picked-up .We “don’t
know where to go.”
Tom Marzano, a member of JFK Custom
Brokers shared concerns over fees
for goods remaining in the warehouse
thought no fault of theirs. We want to get
cargo out ASAP but the freight is not always
available. He said there has to be
some time limit before charging us fees.
VP WFS Rinzing Wangyal said that
he unerstands the storage fee concerns
and has worked with brokers over this
given the situation. The weekend is a very
busy time with goods arriving on Friday
needed to be ready for Monday. His managers
are working 6 days a week to help
process cargo faster. If truckers bring in
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goods on Friday for Monday going out
then more a problem.
Wangyal announced that WFS is finishing
its “POC” app which will be piloted
in Bldg. 9. He asks for everyone’s participation
to get it going. “We need your help.
it’s a start. “ Cooley said this is a great
proof of concept, a good overall management
trucking system as well. “We support
you there.”
Wangyal also said that WFS is incentivizing
workers as an added way to safely
speed warehouse operations with sign on
bonuses and additional bonuses to get
the freight processed as quickly as possible.
He has also implemented training
classes for his managers learning ways
to cut waste and improve productivity.
On the security side of the house,
there is a mandate for 100% cargo
screening which adds time to the mix.
TSA has authorized third party canine
companies to assist in screening which
is also time consuming. Heretofore there
has been a shortage of dogs and handlers
but Cooley said that canine companies,
have more handler/canine teams in
the pipeline to ease the situation. He said
they are trying to get through as many as
they can.
Cooley mentioned that calls are
planned with all parties to continue to
work on these issues and ways to solve
the problems on phone calls within the
scope of the SSI regulations from TSA.
CBP Port Director Sal Ingrassia said
he was happy to be back as permanent
Port Director at JFK. He said these issues
are important to all of us and we will continue
to work with everyone.
Assistant Port Director Andrew Renna
followed up saying CBP would fast track
off -airport CFS and assist in CBP seals
for workers if there is a backlog.
A discussion ensued where there is
an opportunity for temporary passes from
the Chase unit, a 30 day escort pass or
other short tem solution until a SIDA bade
is secured.
Assistant TSA FSD Jim Fitzgerald
said it was good to hear that canine security
firms are getting more teams into
the field. There are currently only four
canine certified firms and TSA is trying
o get more certified. TSA will work with
CBP and Port to get the badging backlog
and escort access addressed with
the cooperation of CBP and the Port Authority.
From the ID office there is willingness
to work will everyone but it is important to
remember that badging for foreign-born
employees may slow the process especially
with bonded warehouse employees.
All the members of this committee
agreed that there is a dire cargo situation
at the airport and must take care of the
immediate crisis and look to the future to
anticipate such problems.
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