Sadly for those forwarders that have sat on their hands, they literally have three months to prepare themselves for 100% screening or their businesses could face dire circumstances. Small forwarders especially may have to hand their customers over to friendly competitors and become commission agents. Others will have to sub-contract handling and security out to third parties. Last week one of the largest multi-national transportation companies in the world approached us asking if we could take over their handling and screening. The cost for them to set up another division such as we have within our own small company was simply too great. We are just awaiting approval from TSA that our program designed to handle this freight will absolutely comply with their regulations. Once we are given the green light we will this corporation will sign the contract and freight will immediately start being delivered to our Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York terminals.

If we were asked the question three years ago that there was a commercial opportunity by investing staff and equipment to screen freight, we would have said the airlines will probably throw in screening for nothing. By their actions only large forwarders that could present freight in ULD’s would exercise the option to handle their own screening. How wrong we were holding this view. Airlines don’t really want a bar of it unless it is at a commercial rate and even then they are well aware their terminals are not designed for holding and inspecting freight. If a multi-national sees only costs and ongoing problems a company such as ours with its commitment by way of specially trained staff and adequate equipment there must be opportunity. Thanks to Peter Lamy, Zachary Zemby and Jeremy Vergara we have a wonderful chance to have a division which will add dollars to our bottom line instead of being a cost center. The new machines we have just purchased from Rapiscan will allow us to handle mega-tons per day in all three terminals. Roll along August 1st; we are ready!

Peter’s fame in Pago Pago has taken on another dimension. His previous visits were strictly business and even though we have had a presence there for only three years in the making, he and VP Tony Feist have built up many personal friendships from what originally were business relationships. Six or so years ago through Peter’s hobby of fishing he met up with a couple of guys who were deep into M.M.A. (mixed marshal arts) fighting. One was in clothing appropriately named Booyaa and the other was the owner of “The King of The Cage”, a fight promoter. Somehow or other family man Peter felt he could make a contribution behind the scenes of growing both businesses. Outside of work this hobby now consumes much of his spare time as he is heavily involved in management and promotions of fight gear and the fights themselves. Partners now include Mark Burnett of reality T.V. fame and billionaire Mark Cuban, cable TV and Dallas Maverick’s owner.

Polynesian men are gifted by unbelievable genetics and will power to achieve at sport and today American Samoa, population 60,000, boasts more NFL players per head of population than any county in America. Peter sees a huge potential for M.M.A. recruits from the South Pacific and has already put out the feelers to the local community to help find the next “Muhammad Ali” of M.M.A. The article here is a great human interest story and especially so for all those young men in Samoa, who dream of becoming professional sportsmen. Peter all his life has put his money where his mouth is. Because this is the case, this small island territory has embraced Peter as a “local hero”. Already 3,500 young Samoans proudly wear their Booyaa “T” shirts in appreciation, with pride but above all with affection for a man dedicated to maintaining close personal and business ties with all Samoans who come in contact with him. Little wonder our South Pacific Island division is the crown jewel of CII’s operations.

Maggie May is with me 24/7 because my workmates allow me the luxury of bringing her to the office each working day. She is a little bit of a pain in that our courier/messenger gets chased out of the office twice a day and some guests don’t receive a friendly welcome from her, but putting that to one side, having her beside all the time brings huge joy to my life. Partner Peter always gives me an update on the goings on of his “dawgs” George and Max and sometimes I think my colleagues consider we are both off our rockers as we trade stories.

If I didn’t walk four miles every day with Maggie May, I probably would be twenty odd pounds heavier. My two alley cats live harmoniously with Maggie May and when I finally retire to bed each night all three take their positions on the bed. They watch over and protect me. Their affection and gentle behavior constantly remind me of the value of life and of what is important and what isn’t. As I enter the twilight years of my working life, my family of three still give me that sense of purpose and responsibility. Each morning as I get up to make my first cup of coffee with my home-made carrot cake, I also have to change their water and give them their breakfast too. With pets life truly is about sharing and caring. Without them I would probably quickly end up a cranky and selfish old man.