Delta Cargo experiences?
 

Hello all,

Has aybody used Delta Cargo for domestic/overseas shipping? Comments? Experiences?

I'm looking to send several large packages (together) from DTW to AMS. Timing is not absolutely critical, but I prefer planes to a boat. I suspect the total weight will be about 650lbs and will easily be able to fit on a pallet. I'm also looking at NWA, who seems to have very reasonably priced 5-day service DTW-AMS.

Deltacargo.com has very little useful info, especially compared to NWA's cargo site, where I can get pricing and service structures that leave little unanswered.

Any idea what the container options are? I'd prefer an LD2 container to a skid, and would probably buy/rent a plastic forkliftable container before using a pallet. And do they tare LD2 containers before adding shipped items and calculating costs? If I'm not in AMS the day my shipment arrives, will it be held and at what cost?

And can I have my shipment's Skymiles? ;P

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
E

I only use air cargo for all my shipments (imports from Europe). I use UPS a lot due to the excellent prices we have with them. However, we also use other compaines. I book my shipments through my freight forwarder, and they take care of the shipments. A lot of shipments have gone with Delta, but we also see a lot going with Air France and KLM. It is my experince that you are better of dealing with a freight forwarder that directly with the airline. If you don't; have a freight forwarder, you can send me an e-mail and can give you some names.

There are special containers for air crafts, but you can put your things on pallets (use Euro pallet size!). If the pallets are tall, they can only go on cargo airplanes.
After 9/11 there are lot security issues too,but that is an other long story.

I wish I could get SkyMiles or Fréquence Plus miles for all the shipments I'm doing, but that is not the case. it is unfair, I help Delta a lot with my cargo, why shouldn't I be treated well for this?

I would think considering that DTW is a NW hub, they would be the logical choice between the two.

Have you also checked out DHL/Airborne?

Thanks, GrapeDane, for your info. I'll drop you a line about the freight forwarder. UPS and FedEx's hundredweight rates seem really out of line with NW's rates, for example, and renting a truck in AMS to take it from the airport to the destination is a lot cheaper.

DTW's NW ops could be faster, but I'd be using their cheapest service where timing isn't critical. I don't care if I have to wait 5 days, so I could drop it off to either DL or NW and let them get it there whenever they get it there.

I'll check into DHL/Airborne, too. Thanks.

Definately go with a freight forwarder. I have sent shipments to Japan using my freight forwarder and they put my stuff on DL metal, when DL used to fly from LAX to NRT. Got some great rates, I guess DL was desparate to fill the plane.

If you just call DL or other airlines you won't be getting a good rate. The freight forwarders has negotiated special rates with the airlines depending on the volume of business they give the airline. You won't be able to get these rates yourself. Also the freight forwarder will take care of the paperwork, which become even worse after 9/11.