DHL in talks to sell US Unit to FDX

[EuroWheenie]

DC8

"Our" in the context of "us Eurowheenies on the other side of the pond", generally speaking. Anybody, really. Everybody I've ever spoken to, as a matter of fact. Anybody who's had dealings with ABX, anyone who's been to ILN. All and sundry.

Sadly, Dr. Zumwinkel seems to have misplaced my email and thus rarely consults my opinion before making a decision. I shall endavour to rectify this obvious mistake at my earliest inconvenience.

And there are 2 chances of me revealing name and title on this here board; fat and none. Same as you I suppose.

 

[shooter]

Shooter

I take serious offence to being called French. I shall therefore refer to you as being a Canadian. French Canadian even. And I do find it odd, that since we are obviously in disagreement, then I'm being disrespectful to "all things American". That is very strange, especially considering we haven't talked cars yet. Of American cars, yes I am very disrespectful (in so far as one can be respectful of a box of metal). Suffice to say I find that remark pretty immature - just because we don't agree doesn't mean I have no respect. Is that too complicated for you? Ever heard the saying "I may not agree with you, but I'll fight for your right to voice your opinion"? That, to me, sounds like a pretty good basis for an interesting conversation. Or perhaps you prefer talking only to people who agree with you?

Anyway, it is pretty obvious your knowledge of W&B operations is somewhat limited, and your understanding of what Sable can, and cannot, do is also somewhat flawed. While I can't explain it to you in every minute details, here is a short overview:

1) You do not need the weight of all ULDs etc to start loading.

2) Updating Sable with the central server takes seconds.

3) Sable can be used in stand-alone mode; it doesn't need to be connected to a server. After end of operation you connect the lap-top, and it synchronises with the server.

Just for your information, Sable handles roughly 600 flights a day, all from the same central server. It has been tested simulating LEJ 2012 with 100+ flights. 10 load controllers was able to produce all Load Sheets and Load Plans in time - Sable did not fall over.

ABX was offered Sable with a WiFi option, free of charge even. They still said no.

As for safety on the ramp in ILN, I can only compare it with what I've seen myself, and the only thing close to ILN standards I've experienced was in Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. If that's approved US standards, well, good for them - but not good enough for DHL.

Personally, I don’t care about theSable system. It is really of no concern as it is not being used. Now, if DHL chooses to continue the US operations then the next step would be where and with what. What I do know about the Sable system is that it does not work in its current configuration when you have over 100 aircraft on a ramp for the sort. It is slow and delays loading. So if DHL chooses to continue in ILN and they decide to take over the sort, then they can tell ABX to use the Sable system and I am sure ABX will comply 100%. ABX does not fight DHL like you say they do. But if ABX is responsible for the sort and loading then they will do it in the most proficient way they can for their customer whether that is DHL or Postal Service hubs they operate. You see, ABX is very well versed in running large sort operations, something DHL has never had before here in the USA. When they are responsible for extreme departure delays by your Sable, then who will you blame? I am not saying it could not be made to operate efficiently, but it has not been proven. And you can SAY it can handle whatever, but actual results proved different. Like I said, when DHL is responsible for the sort and loading, I am sure ABX will comply. DHL did not listen when ABX told them to not handle the integration as they did and ABX was right. ABX does what DHL wants at every turn unless it is something DHL will try and hold against ABX when ABX knows it has not proven to work. All of this may not mean squat in a few months anyway. But maybe we will see when/if DHL takes the sort operation from ABX. Will you be around here then? Anyway, my issue was with your comments about our country. Maybe our dollar will be on the up and you can stop putting it down as well. How about if I say please?

 

[mxer]

Euro,
If I am not mistaken, I think you may have described a major part of the problem. When you say that DHL works the same in all parts of the world with success except in the US market, you are hitting the nail on the head. The market here is different. That is a function of the American consumer. DHL has to conform to the consumer instead of the other way around. That is why they purchased Airborne to begin with. Airborne, even with it's problems in the later years was successful in a market that DHL Airways was not. I would imagine that FedEx and UPS both understand the different consumer in the States versus other parts of the world. ABX may have its issues but the fact remains that the market share with DHL calling the shots in the US is shrinking. You have to supply what the express customers in the US desires in order to be successful in the US.

 

[EuroWheenie]

We disagree over what Sable can and cannot do. Fair enough, time will tell.

Besides, since the head boffins has told us they ain't going to sell DHL US to anybody, this thread may have run its course.

How about if I say please?

Then I'd buy you a beer! Yes, I'm in ILN around April/May. Do they still allow smoking at the Buffalo Wild Wings?

 

[EuroWheenie]

MXer

You may be absolutely right, I don't profess to know the US market very well. I only hear the bitching about ABX, and relay what I've experienced myself.

But the DPWN guys say they want to run DHL like a MickeyD; same Big Mac whereever in the world you order it. You and I may disagree, but if the owners of the trainset tell you to play with it in a certain way, it does seem counter productive insisting not to - and therein lies our issues with ABX.

 

[ABXbooger]

Thank god they do not allow smoking at BW3 anymore. Saves me from washing my clothes when I come home from there.

 

[shooter]

We disagree over what Sable can and cannot do. Fair enough, time will tell.

Besides, since the head boffins has told us they ain't going to sell DHL US to anybody, this thread may have run its course.



Then I'd buy you a beer! Yes, I'm in ILN around April/May. Do they still allow smoking at the Buffalo Wild Wings?

If I am still here in April/May I will buy the beer. I don't know about Buffalo Wild Wings I have never been there. But Ohio passed a state law to ban smoking in all public places including bars, so I am in the middle of quitting. Going into my 3rd month and its been a bear!

 

[mxer]

Euro,
Maybe not so much disagree, just different view points. If the same Mickey D Big Mac sells in every market, then great. Sell it! However if you have a desire to grow in a town that prefers chicken nuggets and you buy a restaurant that specializes in chicken nuggets, then why not let them sell the dang chicken nuggets instead of trying to force feed the big mac. Thats where we say that ABX had a system that was working and there was no real need to change it. If it had worked, then great. But it didn't.

 

[Whistlin' Dan]

...since the head boffins has told us they ain't going to sell DHL US to anybody, this thread may have run its course.

The "head boffins" haven't denied speaking to FedEx. That alone should raise some alarms.

What do you think the reason for those talks might have been? Is it possible that;

1. They want to establish a "fair pricing" agreement that would allow them both to make a profit on International shipments?
2. Is DHL consulting with FedEx on ways to make their own U.S. operations profitable?
3. Does DHL want to buy FedEx's U.S. operation to support their International services?
4. Does Klaus Zumwinkle think Fred Smith is "kinda cute" and wants to, you know...just see what's up with him and whether he'd like to go see a live performance of "Cabaret" at Bar jeder Vernunft?

 

[TWA]

McDonalds has been successful throughout the world for the exact reason DHL isn't successful in the US, they adapt to the market they are entering. If you go to a McDonalds in Japan or Australia, you will see some things on the menu that would be absolutly unheard of in the US.

Throughout the rest of the world, you pay for an overnight shipment and expect it to be there within two weeks. In the US, when we pay for overnight we expect overnight! For some reasons the Germans can't accept the fact that we Americans expect what we are paying for.

As far as the ILN hub goes, if one shows up expecting a bad experience, they will more than likely notice all of the bad and none of the good. Try looking at it with an open mind.

If the Germans in charge of DHL have such high standards, for sure they fired all of the people in Milwaukee, right??? High standards my a$$, you would never expect that from an American company like UPS or Fedex. It didn't seem to even phase the higher ups at DHL.

Keep wippin your ass with that American dollar, because if we go down we're takin the rest of the world with us. Hell, the European markets went into a nose dive a few weeks ago on a US holiday over speculation of the US market. Just remember that when you run out of dollars, Euros have greater surface area. Cheers:beer:

 

[abxaviator]

In explaining the US losses a while back, Dr. Z. admitted they had "underestimated the demands of the American consumer", but they did not then rise to meet those demands once they were aware.

 

[AV8OR]

"I take serious offence to being called French. I shall therefore refer to you as being a Canadian. French Canadian even."

LOL....dude that's funny right there.

 

[EuroWheenie]

Had a talk with a very senior DHL person over beers on Friday. Whilst he couldn't, or wouldn't, be very precise he mentioned the following options:

1) DHL pulls out of NA all together.

2) DHL sells the NA domestic operation to another operator (i.e. FedEx)

3) DHL sells the NA domestic operation to FX and FX sells the EU operation to DHL

4) DHL "pulls a FedEx" and decides to service only major business areas in NA.

5) OPS normal, as far as operations goes, but with major contractual changes (ABX is presently being paid cost +X for every flight performed for DHL).

1 and 3 seems the least likely, but I've no idea which way the tide will turn.

Latest plans will see my sorry self amongst the corn fields in mid May. If that's firmed up, suggest you'll allow me to take whomever fancies going out for a couple of brews and a meal on the expense account. I can smoke outside in May

 

[shooter]

Had a talk with a very senior DHL person over beers on Friday. Whilst he couldn't, or wouldn't, be very precise he mentioned the following options:

1) DHL pulls out of NA all together.

2) DHL sells the NA domestic operation to another operator (i.e. FedEx)

3) DHL sells the NA domestic operation to FX and FX sells the EU operation to DHL

4) DHL "pulls a FedEx" and decides to service only major business areas in NA.

5) OPS normal, as far as operations goes, but with major contractual changes (ABX is presently being paid cost +X for every flight performed for DHL).

1 and 3 seems the least likely, but I've no idea which way the tide will turn.

Latest plans will see my sorry self amongst the corn fields in mid May. If that's firmed up, suggest you'll allow me to take whomever fancies going out for a couple of brews and a meal on the expense account. I can smoke outside in May

Not that any of us have a say in the matter, but for the sake of the jobs in ILN I like #4. All major markets served by DHL delivery workers and rural areas served by the @home product.

Thanks for the input. Our rumor mill needs EU fodder to remain viable for longer periods. But if it has not been debunked and lasting greater than 4 hours, whether painful or not, should seek immediate emergency medical attention.

 

[Fly Astar Jets]

Had a talk with a very senior DHL person over beers on Friday. Whilst he couldn't, or wouldn't, be very precise he mentioned the following options:

4) DHL "pulls a FedEx" and decides to service only major business areas in NA.

5) OPS normal, as far as operations goes, but with major contractual changes (ABX is presently being paid cost +X for every flight performed for DHL).


Latest plans will see my sorry self amongst the corn fields in mid May. If that's firmed up, suggest you'll allow me to take whomever fancies going out for a couple of brews and a meal on the expense account. I can smoke outside in May

These are the two that I hear the most being batted around (Selective hearing maybe??) As for #5, we over at Bldg 11 are in the same "cost +" boat"

EW, So you're going to be exposed to the Glycol tainted water here. What did you do or who did you do it to that got you TDY in ILN?

FAJ