I haven't tallied the rate lately but it's around 70-75 cents/lb, regular "priority first". I think I got one by Dash once but it was last minute and I think the shipper ate price the difference, because they prepaid the freight and invoiced me for it, so I didn't see what the difference may have been.
I don't only get from LAX, but all who ship to me have direct flights from their location to ATL so the freight gets on the plane and gets off, with no milk run in between. Once a shipment sent America West/Continental was laid over in Phoenix for 6 hours and it was 105 degrees there, so needless to say every Euphyllia in the shipment melted down
That's why I specify to send Delta, because for me, it's the best option. I don't doubt that there are service problems to other areas... it all depends what airline is the main one in your area. For me it's Delta and I've had very few issues with them (there now I've jinxed myself!). By and large the flights are on time, and recovery time is a bit slower in Atlanta than in some other centers, but I can usually get my freight within 3 hours of arrival. I pick up most orders and have them tanked in less than 24 hours of their pack time, and sometimes when the planets are all aligned it can be 12 hours or less... but that's more the exception than the rule.
Wayne -- you really need to get a clue. Have you ever picked up a live shipment at the airport? Uh huh... didn't think so, or you wouldn't have conjured up such a flip remark. Any airline carries a suprising amount of live animals, and other time-sensitve cargo. Fresh foodstuffs, live plants, newspapers, fish, birds, dogs, cats, and even human remains. Wish I had a dollar for every time I've helped a funeral director move a casket or two around in the hearse or the van because he had one or two on board when he stopped at the airport to pick up another, and I've helped him load the pickup one too. I've often laughed to myself that if there's a LFS truck waiting to pick up, and a hearse, the hearse always gets loaded first, regardless of who was there first at the freight counter... I find humour in the fact that the deceased gets hurried service, and the person waiting for a live shipment has to wait... something ironic in that. However I can say that every time I've seen a funeral director at the airport, his cargo has been treated with utmost care and dignity. But I digress...
Ask any pilot of your aquaintance about the "Dead Dog Switch"... that pressurizes the cargo hold :lol: That's a whole other subject too!
The airlines are very aware of the needs of the freight they carry, but as the saying goes, **** happens. I'm not minimizing the importance of taking proper care of live freight, but they handle enough of it that taking somebody aside and lecturing them in the finer points of timely delivery isn't going to have much effect - they are well aware. I read someplace recently (although I don't recall the source) that the two main types of cargo that leave Tampa International Airport are live fish, and human remains. Lots of fish farms in central FL... and lots of seniors going home to their final resting places. And the sheer volume of livestock that comes and goes from LAX on a daily basis must be mind-boggling. So to presume that the airlines are clueless, is rather silly, IMO.
Keep in mind also, that if the flight is late... nevermind the cargo, there's a tube full of disgruntled passengers there too. Even if fish can't remind the airline staff of their need to be punctual - passengers are infintely more vocal.
I'd venture to guess that the majority of airline delays stem from weather. When one airport shuts down due to a storm or other emergency, it fouls up the whole system because many planes fly in a circuit. Disturb one stop in the circuit, and it frigs up everything... connecting flights, stopovers, the whole bit. One storm that bogs down O'Hare or JFK or anywhere, has a huge ripple effect on the entire system, causing delays far beyond the point that's experiencing a problem. Ever notice most problems occur in winter?
When an airline "causes" a service failure, like Gresham said, the best way to deal with it is to accept the shipment, pay for it, and then when it's brought out, have an airline staffer with authority, come out with you and crack open a box or two, and file a claim on the spot. Delta isn't exactly fast with the refund, but it will come, and given the nature of this business, it's something that we have to anticipate will happen from time to time, and be prepared to deal with it accordingly, financially and otherwise. Talk to your supplier, but don't punish them for something beyond their control, and they will work with you to a resolution that is mutually agreeable. This type of thing is a painful inconvenience at times, but it's a calculated risk we take, and we can and should be able to handle the occasional problem. If you are having consistent problems with a particular airline, then perhaps it's time to change airlines.
Refuse to pay for the shipment and you won't be using that airline again. Refuse to pay the wholesaler, and you won't be buying from them again either. It's best to just follow procedure, and keep the lines of communication open all around, and preserve those good relationships that it takes so long to build.
Jenn
