First CNS Mini Conference
Next Week

     Michael Vorwerk, the quiet spoken, determined President of Cargo Network services (CNS) is guiding the IATA special interest group through sea change with new programs that have an emphasis on bringing the group closer to the industry.
     The need to know Mini Conference Series – ‘Government & Air Cargo Compliance’ being held next week February 9-10, 2011in Arlington, Virginia, is just 5 miles from Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C.
     This outreach effort aimed at specific industry issues is viewed as a solid contribution to keeping stakeholders up to date on the latest industry knowledge.
     “Government & Air Cargo Compliance” will power up for two days delivering speakers from across the industry – forwarders, airline cargo, truckers, government agencies, data service providers, industry consultants and the hosts.
     FlyingTypers is an official media supporter of the event and will report on the proceedings.
     “Data security, standards and how information is used are topics which pop up frequently in the business world.
     “When applied to air cargo and especially in light of security and customs enforcement, these matters command additional attention.
     “Screening has added costs to air cargo, which makes it even more of a premium than before.
     “This is both an opportunity and a challenge, and gaining a better understanding of its drivers, which this conference will emphasize, stands to benefit participants,” says Michael Vorwerk.
     For more information click here. To register you can click here.

Focus & Partnerships Is CNS 2011
FT:   We wonder what will be new and exciting at CNS (Partnership?) in 2011?
MV:   CNS 2011 Partnership is focusing on the future and not as much on the past; drawing comparisons on the biggest mode competitor initiatives (ocean vs. air); raising the profile of air cargo and heightening the awareness for the significant role air cargo plays as a key link connecting the world’s economies.      Partnership 2011 will also feature a new and exciting venue: The Sheraton WildHorse Pass Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.
     Other important points include the development of a state of the art database platform that will offer user friendly online tools to enhance CNS Accreditation and give members ability to view and update their account information and status.
     These new enhancements will be used to enrich all CNS products and services and provide greater flexibility and choices for customers.
FT:   Recap 2010. Did the year perform up to expectation? What stood out?
MV:   CNS reached out in a facilitation role more than ever in the past. This included bringing forwarders and airlines closer together, working in partnership with TIACA, FIATA and the GSF. Some of the areas focused on included working with customs in providing cargo data prior to departure, expanding e-freight into 9 additional airports in the USA, working on alternatives to provide cargo data electronically and development of enhancing existing cargo security measures.
     Also, CASS-USA metrics showed positive improvement over 2009 with 97 carrier members (4 more than 2009). Total volumes were up 8 percent over 2009. We note that in 2010 over $4.3 Billion USD was billed, up 40 percent over previous year. Also Adjustments/Disputes decreased 2.9 percent compared to 2009.
     CNS expanded interest into the trucking market with the launch of CNS Trucker Listing – a yellow pages service allowing airlines and forwarders one-stop online access to safety, insurance and driving records.
     We rolled out of CASS-Domestic, providing the ability for carriers to invoice their customers electronically on a weekly basis.
     Both airlines and forwarders now have a better dispute resolution process by providing detailed itemized charges.
     Looking ahead to 2011, we are searching to bring forward people in air cargo that will make a difference.
     For example, with two of the largest carriers in the world now in the United States, there will be focus on how Neel Shah of Delta and Robbie Anderson of United will make changes to their new networks.
     Also, air cargo security will be a real focus in 2011 after the event that happened in Yemen.
     U.S. officials, including DHS Secretary Napolitano, TSA Administrator Pistole and CBP Commissioner Bersin, will be key as to leading any changes that may be pushed by Congress.
     As we continue to look ahead to 2011, CNS believes that from an association role, the leaders of the air cargo associations and representatives will be key to leading the message.
     From IATA, Des Vertannes will be focusing his team on many of the issues we focus on globally.
     These include ensuring governments in need of advance cargo data will meet global standards, including those of the World Customs Orginizations, ICAO and those industry standards of IATA.
FT:   What is the biggest challenge looking ahead?
MV:   Security will be the main focus again, but this time on a more international basis.
     Questions include how will the air cargo industry still be able to meet the security requirements of many world requirements as Europe in 2011 begins 100% advance cargo data in and out? Other countries are coming up, such as Mexico, Colombia and Kenya, that have never sent electronic data exchange before.
     Also quality will continue to be a focus in 2011 as both data quality to meet these regulatory requirements and to facilitate e-freight as well as operational quality to deliver the customer promise are emphasized.
     Through our work with Cargo 2000, we recognize that our industry still has room for improvement.
     We see increase of e-freight penetration in and out of the U.S. will be key this year.
     In 2010 we were to include the top 14 airports available for general cargo into the US.
     This year we want to increase the volume by at least 10 percent and add additional ports to try to include all U.S. customs gateway ports in 2011.
     We will continue to work with our cargo industry partners to expand the number of export locations as well beyond ORD, JFK and MIA.
FT:   Which segment of air cargo is performing best (mail?) and which holds the most promise (pharma?)
MV:   Pharma holds strong potential for 2011 and CNS is proud to facilitate entering this segment by offering various training sessions on Time & Temperature throughout the year.
FT:   Why will CNS make a difference in 2011?
MV:   CNS will expand its role in working on issues that are focused in Washington.
     CNS in Washington will be involved more with government issues in a facilitation role and getting the voice of CNS into the halls of government.
     We will also be working closely with the IATA, TIACA and GFS group so that we can make the most of our efforts collectively on issues that the entire air cargo industry faces.
     We will also continue to focus on CASS-USA services to provide timely and efficient settlement for the air cargo industry
     Also data integrity remains a top priority in 2011 with efforts to expand quality services such as CASS-USA Business Intelligence and CNS BroadCast service, which offer customers useful tools for expanding their business.
     Finally, as mentioned the introduction of CNS Need to Know Mini conference series will offer pertinent topics to the industry… our first session, February 9-10, will address the latest on government compliance, import, export, AMS and more!
     Another top priority will be expansion of e-freight in the U.S., which is essential in helping this program grow globally.
     CNS will be working with CBP, TSA, USDA, Commerce and other government officials to open up more types of cargo to be e-freight capable.
     Our ongoing support of Cargo 2000’s quality drive will not only help keep the U.S. industry at the forefront of quality improvement, but will also facilitate the continued growth of this initiative on a worldwide basis.
     Our goal is to increase communication between all of the C2K membership, make shippers more aware of this global quality program and to outreach to other members of the supply chain to make them better understand how quality can improve performance and customer satisfaction.
     Naturally, when industry quality improves everyone is a winner.
FT:   Do you support CNS Global initiative as outlined by Lufthansa Cargo’s Dr. Andreas Otto? Explain please.
MV:   Yes. With Dr. Otto starting the discussion about the need for a global advisory group for the air cargo industry, the ball started to roll with the foundation of the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG).
     CNS will support and help GACAG become THE voice for the air cargo industry as requested by Dr. Otto during our last CNS conference.
Geoffrey/Flossie

Emirates Opens Basra

     “Iraq is experiencing a surge in growth and it is our goal to help the country prosper and flourish. The potential for this destination is significant and Emirates is committed to working alongside the Iraqi authorities to make Basra a success,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline as EK added its 110th international destination with service from Dubai into Basra, the airline's first service to Iraq.
     It is worth noting that Emirates is now the largest international carrier operating into Iraq.
     “Our strong forward bookings for Basra indicate the high demand for services to this destination, particularly from the corporate sector as the city rebuilds.
     “Iraq is a key destination for Emirates and we expect our operations to Basra to thrive.”
     Basra is the first new destination for Emirates in 2011. Next up for service is Geneva June 1 and Copenhagen August 1.

RE: Delta Women Power Cargo

Hi Geoffrey,

   I hope this finds you and your family safe and warm :-)    KUDOS to you for doing these tributes to women in cargo... my God, they have sure come a long way since my years in Pan Am Cargo.
   This article made me think...where would I be with Delta had I stayed with Pan Am for the Delta takeover??
   Keep it up!

Warmest regards,
Dolores
Dolores M. Hofman
Program Manager
Queens Air Services Development Office
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Building #141
Jamaica, NY 11430

Hi Geoffrey,
   As an avid reader of Flying Typers, today again I felt the urge to communicate my 2 cents to you (for whatever that's worth).
   First, I have some difficulty understanding all that hubbub about "Women in Aviation."
   Sure enough it should be clear that performance and knowledge matter, not one's gender.
   However, lately some of my friends experienced issues when applying for certain positions, having been told "Well, we'd like to hire you, you are the best qualified guy, but we must meet our quote of women in management..."
   Imagine it'd be the other way around? "Gender issues," so I feel, nowadays benefit only one gender, and not men.
   It's still something which should be raised, but isn't the accomplishment the sole fact which should count, no matter if woman, man or martian?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
   
   The reason why we cover women in air cargo is because once upon a time, the only woman you saw in aviation was pushing a beverage cart down the aisle of a plane or pictured half-dressed on the walls of a cargo hangar.
   We have come a long way from the days when women were only allowed subservient jobs under men, and feel it is important to both showcase it and shed a light on the fact that no, things were not always this fair.
   We do believe that anyone who is worthy of a job should have it, regardless of gender, but the sad fact is that gender inequality is something that is deeply ingrained in our society at a subconscious level, and therefore it is quite an insidious and dangerous thing. The reason why companies have quotas is because in the past, companies showed undue favor towards men simply because they were men, overlooking women simply because they were women.
   To say that gender issues benefit only one gender is an interesting stance to take given the fact that the term ‘gender issues’ only makes sense historically as a term that arose because the ‘fairer sex’ was routinely ignored and passed over for work and other opportunities.
   Men as a gender have always had the upper hand, held the better positions, been paid more and offered more opportunities. The issue is not that things are no longer that way, because they have improved; it is that people sincerely believe that those old prejudices have passed when all that has happened is it has gone underground. When Hillary Rodham Clinton tried running for President, the sexist remarks made about the strength of her abilities during ‘that time of the month’ started almost immediately.
   Sexism and gender bias are a struggle that women must contend with every day, in ways that men simply do not. Women have to prove themselves in ways that men do not, because historically men have always been a part of the work force where women have only entered the picture in the last century.
   We are proud of our Women in Air Cargo series and we are proud of the women we showcase. They deserve to have their stories heard as much as anyone else, and we provide a spotlight on them because the story of their struggle ties into the history of women’s struggle as a gender to have a voice and a place in this world.    They are an inspiration to all women.

Flossie Arend
Managing Editor

Year of the Rabbit in Beijing as people out in the night walk past a traditional red Chinese holiday lantern.

     Here comes Chinese Lunar New Year for 2011. It’s the Year of the Rabbit in the Zodiac, which usually occurs in the middle of February but will arrive this year on February 3.
     Sure, we love February ‘cause we have two kids born this month. But we also like that both Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day happen during the second month of the year, and also that daylight is inching forward the moment when catchers and pitchers will start reporting to camp.
     This is about celebrating Chinese New Year in New York the right way, just near the airport on February 3.
     What a great opportunity for family and special lovers and great meals surrounded by lots of flowers.
     And what a great day to be Chinese!
     But if you are in New York, a great Chinese meal is an around the clock 24/7/365 moveable feast.

     It is apparent to almost anyone traveling on business that there isn’t enough time to enjoy authentic local scenery.
     Dinner that hasn’t been worked into the business schedule becomes an after-thought, a quick twelve-dollar burger served on a tray with a moist towelette in some forgotten hotel room.
     We are so quick to let business travel spoil the excitement that comes with going to a new place. The town you’ve been zipping through for the past couple of days could be the grist for your memory’s mill, and sometimes culture shock can be cathartic.
     At the very least, a side step journey into town can afford a little life experience and a few polite conversations with the locals.
     I can recall a Sunday alone at the downtown Mandarin Hotel in Taipei, right near Nanking Road. The Mandarin is a crew hotel. Pilots and cabin crew have a reputation of being tight with a buck.
     Most pilots like to maintain a fairly high profile lifestyle, while cabin crew never has any money. Sometimes I think cabin crew invented stew. They always seem to be planning potluck dinners.
     The old joke: “Hey, this food tastes different. Did somebody wash my bowl or something?” barely affords a chuckle from these chowhounds.
     The Taipei Mandarin is always a good buy. The place is clean, if a bit faded. The restaurant, which serves Chinese and American breakfast around the clock, is always a good bet.
     The Mandarin is also equipped with a staff of husbands and wives who seem to live and tend to individual floors.
     You can be sure a staff member will see you to your door following check-in, and don’t be surprised when your arrival is heralded with hot tea and cookies.
     Once I stumbled into my room after a 19-hour flight and dived straight into the shower, only to discover my disheveled heap of clothes had been neatly pressed and hung.
     Lots of expatriate fliers and business types stay at the Mandarin.
     Anytime, day or night, Sky King is meeting under the gaze of Terry and the Pirates and Smilin’ Jack, all comic book heroes of 1930-40’s aviation.
     After arriving late one Saturday and working all of the next day on a story, I decided it was time to get out.      The T.V. was rattling on in Chinese and English alternatively about some sporting event that no longer held my interest. I decided to take a walk to find something to eat and maybe pick up some bottled water.
     It was drizzling lightly, a warm, early spring evening. Sundays anywhere are the same. It doesn’t really matter where you are in the world. There will be more places open on the day after the apocalypse than on any given Sunday.
     I stopped at a small restaurant that looked busy. Business in a restaurant is a good sign in any country. The first thing I noticed was how the place smelled.
     This joint smelled great.
     A couple of beers and a plate of fried rice later, I left my small side table completely satisfied.
     Around the corner from the restaurant I found a group of people laughing and joking in the staccato tics of quick and easy Chinese conversation. For a moment I thought that I had missed the place the cool crowd supped. I felt a need to get the name and address of said cool place so that I could return at a later time. I began to make my way to the group.
     It was then that a familiar sign struck me, a sign emblematic of gaudy, tacky Americana: the flashing red and white striped logo of T.G.I. Fridays. I laughed, and wondered if my joke was funnier than the joke shared by the cool crowd. I had not come halfway around the world to eat burgers and fried frozen food.
     Now, whenever it’s time to hit the road again, I think of that damp Sunday in Taipei. It reminds me to get out and experience more of the local scene.
     I always wonder about people who come to New York from other parts of the world insisting that the best restaurants are in Manhattan, simply because they’ve read that somewhere.
     Let’s set the record straight.
     Any stiff can read a review and fork over a lot of cash.
     The idea is to get out, get fed, have some fun and not get stuck paying through the teeth.
     Try something new, even if it’s in small amounts.
     Live a little.
     You may not pass this way again.
     The Chinese food being served up near our offices at LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, New York City is incredible, and you can basically eat until your hands get tired for just a couple of bucks.
     I would go so far as to say that several of the places in Flushing are better than the majority of restaurants in Manhattan and, I dare say, in Taipei as well.
     Since this is the season to celebrate Chinese New Year, and New York is a great city for Chinese food, here are some tips for where to go the next time you land at JFK or LaGuardia Airport. These restaurants are just a short cab or bus ride from the airport hotels.
     If you are dining alone you may feel funny about it. Get a prop. A book or magazine is fine, but if you’re really dexterous bring your Kindle or iPad to fiddle with while you wait for your meal. Look up every now and again to check the scene out. Maybe you will find yourself talking to a complete stranger, maybe it will just be time spent following the pattern in the wallpaper. Regardless, you will leave yourself open to the environment without being bored.
     Just remember, like any good scout, you must be prepared, in every sense. You may think you have everything covered, what with your magazine and your Palm or iPhone, but always be ready when the host asks you if you might consider sitting at a table with other diners to make more room. Anything can and will happen.
     Chinese restaurants in New York have lots of big, round tables. If a restaurant starts filling up with loners, couples and small families, it is not unusual to find strangers sitting together at a table. It works great when you’re alone and it’s busy because almost everyone gets seated right away. And you get an easy, insider look into the different lives inhabiting the city. Plus, if you just had a tough day in business there is nothing better than the anonymity of a table full of merciful strangers.
     Chinese restaurants always bring a pot of tea and a menu, giving the diner a relaxing couple of minutes to check things out.
     Family style dining is an easy and appropriate meal at any Chinese restaurant in New York. It always feels like going back to summer camp and sitting at a table with a variety of choice meal items. If you’re sitting at a table with a meal already in progress it’s like seeing the Lotto numbers before they are run. If you observe your new best friend and fellow diner coveting your Bok Choy, don’t be afraid to tell him how it tastes. Sharing what is good is always a great icebreaker.

     Here are a few places worth remembering:
     Joe’s Shanghai. 136-21 37 Ave. Flushing NY 11354 (718) 539-4429 www.joeshanghairestaurants.com
     Located smack-dab in the middle of the ‘New Chinatown’ in Flushing, Queens, Joe’s Shanghai has been hailed as a real treasure of the area. On balance this is the best Chinese restaurant in New York. Less formal and more family oriented, Joe’s features steamed buns of pork or crab. They are served a dozen to an order inside wicker baskets. There are those who duck in simply to partake in that delicious delicacy. Joe’s also serves delicious Shanghai fried rice, a lightly turned and simply prepared dish with small bits of scallion and egg. Scallion pancakes are an excellent accompaniment to any meal at Joe’s. The orange beef is always tender and juicy, and the orange sauce is always pleasant and delicious. Joe’s is constantly rated in the top ten New York Chinese eateries and serves until 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
     Just around the corner from Joe’s is C&J Restaurant.
     C&J Restaurant, 136-14 38th Ave., (718) 353-3366.
     C&J Restaurant is a great choice for business meetings and full-service presentations with all the trimmings. Half a block away is Homefood, at 38-05 Main Street, a narrow and deep place with cooked ducks hanging in the front window. The food is very good, quite plentiful, and dirt-cheap. Luncheons are all you can hope for at less than five bucks.
     Another aspect to enjoying Chinese food is Dim Sum. Dim Sum is served almost everywhere, especially in the better Chinese restaurants.
     One such place, Gum Tong Gung at 133-30 39th Avenue in Flushing, does it better than anywhere else. Dim Sum is predominantly served earlier in the day and especially during lunch, but at Gum Tong Gung you can get a variety of delicious choices anytime.
     Carts laden with round, metal Tiffin-like pans are wheeled out carrying dozens of different kinds of Dim Sum. The wait staff circles the restaurant offering the different choices, only leaving to refill their stock. If you don’t like something, you don’t have a whole dish to contend with. If you love something, you can just keep choosing it, and all the while your waiter will keep track of what you have ordered.
     Steamed dumplings with shrimp, chicken or beef; fried eggplant roll; red bean buns; pork congee with preserved egg; braised duck feet; turnip cake - there are a hundred choices on the menu.
     Gum Tong Gung seats up to 250 people, though from the look of it I imagine I could open a gym and house the S.S. Titanic at the same time.
     On Sundays it is worth the trip just to see the servers wheel around the room. They are a show in and of themselves.
     At $1.95 to $3.00 a serving, Dim Sum, that small taste of delicious Chinese cuisine, is a bargain.
     The Flushing area is a hot zone for Chinese food, and at this point you could close your eyes and point and still hit an excellent restaurant. But Flushing has also become a “destination” of sorts.
     Not only is the food great, but also it’s so easy to just check into a hotel and go shopping, or see a movie. The train into the city lies in the heart of Main Street, close to all restaurants and shopping, and one stop from The Mets at Shea Stadium.
     Savvy business travelers can take the Q48 bus from LaGuardia right to the center of town. A cab from JFK costs less than 20 dollars anytime.
     Flushing also offers a variety of Japanese, Indian, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Korean Food.
     The Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel at 135-20 39th Avenue has 173 rooms and is centrally located. It is the perfect full-service place to set up operations. (718) 460-666; North America, (888) 268-0717; Hong Kong, (800) 90-0376; Taiwan, 0080-10-3852.
     Wherever you find yourself landing, after a two- or ten- or fourteen-hour flight, soaking in the shower and washing the business out of your body, remember to get out and explore your surroundings a little. There is more to this world than business; there are all the many hours in between.
New Year parade in Flushing is February 12.
Geoffrey/Flossie

To our readers worldwide
Kung Hei
Fat Choy

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