Air Freight Equipment and Standards
Below is a broad overview of different aircraft equipment types.
There’s a lot of variation in equipment type, and depending on the routing, aircraft series configuration, and type of service (e.g., passenger vs. cargo), the information below could change.
Your customer service representative will help you select the best routing and equipment for your cargo, but the below information is useful in order to ensure that pallets and cargo are built to appropriate dimensions for the most common equipment types.
Service Levels
We want to make sure that our service levels meet or exceed your expectations. This guide explains the various options and their relative service expectations.
Unless otherwise specified, all cargo is quoted as fork-liftable, stackable, non-hazardous, known shipper.
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Standard air freight cargo is the most inexpensive air freight option. It is used when cargo is needed faster than ocean allows, but as a more affordable option, the timeline is less definite.
Cargo is assumed to be forkliftable and stackable unless otherwise specified.
In most cases, cargo is picked up by an LTL carrier and routed to a warehouse or airline drop station via one or more transit points.
Cargo may move on a direct or indirect flight and is subject to space availability at the time of loading.
Average transit: 5-7 days
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Express Cargo is more urgent than standard cargo.
Express air freight cargo has a more elevated price point. It is ideal when cargo is needed more urgently or before a deadline.
In most cases, cargo is picked up by a dedicated truck and routed directly to a warehouse or airline drop station.
Cargo may move on a direct or indirect flight but are prioritized to load.
Higher pricing is reflective of the dedicated truck and load priority.
Average transit: 3-4 days
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AOG stands for ‘Aircraft on Ground’ and is a term for a piece of equipment needed for a specific aircraft waiting for the equipment to fly.
A legitimate AOG must accompany the tail number of the aircraft. Urgent non-aerospace cargo falls under our ‘Just in time.’ service.
AOGs will always have the highest handling fees, and live shipments are usually not quoted due to the implied urgency. The team will do whatever is necessary to get the shipment moved.
AOGs are handled by our Critical Team, and AOG requests should be directed to our AOG line (718-571-9006) or emailed to aerosupport@compassfwd.com.
The critical email address and phone line are monitored 24/7 by staff who understand the nuances of aerospace cargo.
Average transit: <1 day from cargo availability
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Just In Time (JIT) is used when cargo is needed critically, typically with a hard deadline or when a plant is going to shut down.
JIT will always have the highest handling fees, and live shipments are usually not quoted due to the implied urgency. The team will do whatever is necessary to get the shipment moved.
JIT shipments are handled by our Critical Team, and requests should be directed to our AOG line (718-571-9006) or emailed to aerosupport@compassfwd.com.
The critical email address and phone line are monitored 24/7 by staff who understand the nuances of aerospace cargo.
Average transit: <1 day from cargo availability
Shipping hazardous cargo
Compass has extensive experience handling all classifications of hazardous cargo. When requesting a quote for hazardous materials, it is essential to provide the HazMat documents and MSDS to ensure accurate pricing.
Please note that many hazardous materials face strict air freight restrictions, so HazMat quotes typically require additional processing time. Additionally, hazardous cargo is assigned the lowest loading priority on any aircraft and undergoes rigorous check-in and validation procedures. As a result, transit times may be longer depending on the destination and available airlines.
What does it mean to be a ‘Known Shipper?’
The Known Shipper designation, granted by the TSA (U.S. Transportation Security Administration), is assigned to shippers who have undergone a thorough vetting process by an air carrier or freight forwarder. Using the Known Shipper Management System, the TSA evaluates and approves shippers to transport cargo on passenger aircraft, provided they meet specific criteria. Aircraft operators, international air carriers, and Indirect Air Carriers (IACs) must adhere to rigorous security protocols to designate clients as known shippers.
This designation not only allows qualified shippers to use passenger aircraft but also grants them access to competitive rates and expanded routing options, enhancing their freight movement flexibility.