SCANNING
CARGO
PIECE TIME
The Editor finds out more about a recent
initiative from Southwest.
Since the fateful
events of 9/11, there
have been a raft of
procedures implemented
to ensure that the same
situation could never recur.
Passengers have been subject
to comprehensive vetting and
rigid processes whilst cargo
has submitted to X-ray and
other checks to ensure that it
is safe to travel. But actually
getting freight on to the ramp
is only one thing: how does
the customer know that it has
made the flight? Listening to
that customer is what brought
about the latest initiative
from Southwest Airlines.
The scanning of passenger
baggage, long practised, has
been taken a step further by
Southwest, which commenced
a pilot programme earlier this
year, in late spring. For Kevin
Russell, Director, Commercial
Planning, Cargo and Charters,
it was the culmination of a
project that had roots in 2019
– and something that his
clientele had long been asking
for of the airline.
The idea is low-tech, if one
is being honest: agents affix
barcoded labels on to cargo
pieces during the acceptance
process. Information is then
entered into the point-ofsale
system which marries
up to readings from a
handheld scanner, thereby
giving the shipper a better
understanding about the
location of their product.
As mentioned, this is not
so novel: currently, most
domestic airlines scan cargo
with barcode technology.
Russell takes up the story.
One big team
“At Southwest, we work as
one big team across all of
our organisations. We knew
there was a similar effort
to start scanning passenger
bags that was beginning to
take shape over the last few
years. Knowing our most
requested item from our
cargo customers is the ability
to track their shipments, we
were able to quickly partner
on their programme and add
the ability to scan cargo.
“Late last year the
programme began, first with
passenger bags, so that our
ramp agents could learn the
system. This spring, we added
the cargo functionality to the
tool.”
So, leading up to the trial,
what was involved – and what
had to be put in place?
Russell continues: “Being
as this was a technology
project, we needed to set a
variety of strategies, goals and
milestones to ensure we were
reaching each milestone and
overcoming any obstacles. So
far, we are moving along right
as scheduled and feedback
from everyone involved has
been excellent.
“It’s a barcode-based
system using handheld
scanners. Once the shipment
is tendered, it’s entered in
our database. Then, our
agents will deliver it to the
departing aircraft, where it’ll
be scanned. If the cargo is
transferred along the way,
the agent will scan it once
it’s offloaded and loaded on
to its next flight. And finally,
the agents at the destination
will scan the cargo once it
is offloaded. Right now, our
information is going into a
database where our project
team is analysing all the
inputs to ensure everything
is moving as manifested, as
we say.”
Was there a set length of
trial envisaged? And what has
the feedback been like?
“We don’t have a set
timeframe for the trial
because we want to make
sure everything is perfect
before we deliver it to our
customers,” explains Russell.
“We’ve heard really positive
feedback from those in
our beta test programme,
including our frontline
employees and ramp agents.”
The future
Had there been any hurdles or
challenges to overcome?
“Since this (initiative)
relies heavily on technology,
we want to make sure that
we stay up to date with the
latest. But, that’s the same
with any technology project.
We’re moving right along on
our trial and we are really
excited about the future of
this programme.”
And next?
“We’re really focused on
perfecting the product and
delivering it to our customers
so that they can begin
tracking their shipments.
We know this is a big ask
from them but we’re looking
forward to opening it up once
we’ve worked through all the
kinks.”
… we are really
excited about the
future of this
programme
Kevin Russell, Southwest Airlines
www.airlogisticsinternational.com August 2020 11
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