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View Full Version : Per Richard at TBS: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly, w/many pics


HowardW
03/01/2007, 01:50 PM
I'm posting this little story and pics at the request of Richard at TBS, hope ya'all enjoy it: -Howard

-------------------------------


I thought this may be interesting to folks here at RC about shipping live rock.

This shipment of rock was to be on a direct flight to DAL on southwest airlines this week. I dropped it off as I usually do a couple hours early so the freight guys would have plenty of time to process the shipment, as with all the new security measures, it takes longer now to do all the paperwork and get it on the plane.

So, seems the plane was full of passengers and bags, so there was no room for the freight, and it was 'bumped'.

"Bumped to the next day, then somehow it got on the wrong plane and ended up going to San Antonio, instead of Dallas. So it flew to SAT, and sat there a day until somebody at Southwest figured it out that the freight was supposed to go to DAL.

So.....back on the plane and another flight back to DAL. Well when you handle rock boxes, up and down the ramps, six times, the boxes do not hold up, as you can see in the pictures. My customer was defiantly concerned, as now the rock has been in transit for three days, and finally got to him, but with much water leakage. I told him I thought all would be OK, as I used to ship rock dry for many years and it did ok. Plus is was most likely under water most of the trip, but leaked on the last leg of the return flight, as airlines will not ship leaky packages.

So he picked it up and put it in his tank.......

Even with all the torture this shipment went through all is well, the rock was fine, and everybody is happy....

Moral of the story?

Many times air freight shipments leak due to handling, but not to worry as the rock is packed for days in the box.

So if you shipment is a day late or beat up, everything should still be OK, as the way I pack shipments makes them tough on abuse.....this kind of results seldom happen, but do transpire every now and then, so don't freak if you go to pick up your rock and the boxes are wet, is just the normal result of shipping air freight.

Southwest is the BEST airline for shipping on, I have used them for years, and will pick them above any other carrier, as not only are they cheaper, but the do an amazing job moving freight around.....but sometimes stuff happens, as in this situation....but they also took care of my customer, which is a class act by Southwest.

So here is the email and pictures from my customer.....
Richard TBS

Subject: Southwest Air-Cargo Drama update


First, I would like to thank you Richard for your concern, quick response, and personal approach to your customer. ("Me") You're top notch! The rock is in the tank and it looks 'Fantastic,' all of it went in yesterday as soon as I read your email. With all the rough handling the rock passed the crash test that SAW provide. Excellent job in packing! I attached some PICS of the rock in my reef tank. SAW will only pay 0.50 Cent per pound due to the shipment not being insured, and they will pay the shipping cost. The money is not the issue here, its' the handling of fragile freight. I hope they see that they have a problem in their system. I also want you to know that I plan to add a couple more "Packages" (to complete my reef tank) in the near future.

Thanks Again, we be doing business again soon.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/DamagedCargo003.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/DamagedCargo004.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/DamagedCargo005.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/DamagedCargo006.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/DamagedCargo008.jpg

HowardW
03/01/2007, 01:53 PM
pics cont.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/DamagedCargo001.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/DamagedCargo009.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007022.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007039.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007037.jpg

HowardW
03/01/2007, 01:57 PM
even more:


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007031.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007021.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007011.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007010.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007008.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007004.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/240gallonsaltwaterpics-2-28-2007001.jpg

Reefer Steve
03/01/2007, 04:13 PM
Yikes! They sure beat those to hell. My package flew Southwest and it came out pretty clean. What airport was that comming into?

forensicdoc
03/01/2007, 05:06 PM
Southwest did great by me also. I tracked the flight online and was told to wait about an hour after the flight landed to call and confirm the shipment was there. They called me within 30 minutes of the flight landing each time.

There was some leakage from some of the boxes, and some of the styrofoam was cracked, but nothing you would not expect from airline shipping. Each time they not only helped me load my SUV, but also lined the floor with cardboard to absorb the leakage.

liverock
03/01/2007, 05:33 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9369396#post9369396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by forensicdoc
Southwest did great by me also. I tracked the flight online and was told to wait about an hour after the flight landed to call and confirm the shipment was there. They called me within 30 minutes of the flight landing each time.

There was some leakage from some of the boxes, and some of the styrofoam was cracked, but nothing you would not expect from airline shipping. Each time they not only helped me load my SUV, but also lined the floor with cardboard to absorb the leakage.

Yea Southwest is the BEST freight shipper...the point I was trying to make is.....it can look bad, but end up well....
Richard TBS

Reefer Steve
03/07/2007, 05:18 PM
Yeah you do package them to survive a nuclear war. I'm still using the bags for trashbags :-p