Training

Should I train or not?

Regulatory Requirements
Different by country and economic region
Wide variance between countries. Animal producing
countries often third-world countries with limited
resources for oversight and control.
Different training protocols based on
exporting/importing country requirements
Training can be general or species specific (EU)


Regulatory ( continued )
Majority of world nations have general requirements
which apply to all species but no minimum training
requirements for shippers, acceptance and handling
personnel
Liability for training becomes an issue when the carrier
outsources handling to a third-party handler
Training liability always and issue until an enforcement
action. Regulator goes after the party that is registered
as the handler


The cost of training or
Is it worth it ?
Training is costly to air carriers. For unionized employees an
average of $26.00 per hour is normal. Also add the cost of pulling
employees out of schedule and having other personnel fill in their
job functions for a 2 hr training. A major carrier will have 10,000
ground handlers in their company. That 10,000 does not include
acceptance and cargo personnel.
With outsourcing of manpower to a third party handler the quality
and experience is often compromised. Language barriers as
English often not primary language.

Number of personnel to be trained can vary based on route
structure of carrier
Cost of training
Without exception, cost of training and being compliant
with existing regulatory requirements far exceeds the
revenue stream received for transportation
Cost usually does not muster with the cost/benefit bean
counters ( facility, special ventilation for aircraft,
ventilated holding areas planeside all cost centers )


Cost Mitigation
Costs for animal transportation in some cases offset by
passengers and excess baggage charges for animals
accompanying passengers
Revenue stream for animal transport as baggage is
fully covered by excessive rates and a passenger ticket
cost (combi-carriers)
Dogs, cats and household birds most common animals
accepted as passenger baggage
Training curricula
Web-based general familiarization
Course design tailored to lowest common denominator
Training developed in-house or from a third party vendor
Training customized to carriers needs. No need to train on
the care and feeding of monkeys if you only carry mice
Course designed in house or purchased for on-site
presentation
Presentation of course is one way communication when
online and does not provide interactive experience a class
room setting provides
Curricula
On line training is a one-size fits all in most cases.
Exceptions exist where the carrier may focus on a
specific market. Common with all- cargo carrier and
some non-US carriers
Training materials and salient points to be covered
developed around type of animals carried, competent
authority requirements and shippers needs
Emergency Training
Training for emergencies generally an after thought.
Minimally a course may mention the need to have a
response plan but stops short of describing one or how
to develop
Potential emergencies are so varied that a one
emergency plan does not fit all
Typically carrier will defer to shipper or broker to handle
any emergency.
Questions to ask
If you are either a shipper, agent, broker, 3
rd
party
handler or carrier it is good business planning to meet
with all of the players involved in animal transportation.
Meeting before a emergency event takes place makes
good business sense.
Who does what? When does that happen? last resort
planning?