Each week, CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ highlights a specific segment of the air cargo industry to show just how many functions are involved in transporting freight from A to B. Air cargo would not exist were it not for pilots – an industry segment, however, that is seeing a growing shortage, whilst demand is ever-increasing. Pilots are vital to the air cargo industry because they ensure the safe, efficient, and timely transportation of all manner of goods across global routes. Aside from aircraft handling and flight navigation, their skills in route planning, weather assessment, and communication with air traffic control help optimize flightoperations, minimizing delays and fuel costs, for example. Inge Kelderman (IK), CP B777 for Lufthansa Cargo, takes us through her role and views.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
IK: I am a captain on the Boeing 777, flying for Lufthansa Cargo. It’s my job to bring the plane with its freight in a safe way to its destination, together with one or more colleagues.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
IK: There is indeed no ‘normal day’, but a working day starts with a briefing about the flight with the colleagues, at any time between 03:15 and 21:15. After about half an hour, we go to the plane to prepare it for the flight and then take off, flying for up to 14 hours on most flights, with a break of a few hours. Then you prepare for and execute the landing, go through immigration wherever you are, and are be picked up for the transportation to the hotel. After a resting period of 12 hours or more, you are picked up for the next flight. A few years ago, we had a lot of destinations with mostly 1 or more days off, but unfortunately that changed to, I think, 75% China with mostly just 1 day (or less) and sometimes 2 days off.
You also have to do several checks and training during the year – for example: in the simulator.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
IK: I have been flying for Lufthansa Cargo since 2005 (over 20 years now). I started as a co-pilot in 2000, on the A320, flying passengers for Lufthansa and, after 5 years, I wanted a change and began flying for Lufthansa Cargo. After 3 years, you have the possibility to return to passenger flights, but I liked it very much, so I stayed.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
IK: The traveling and the colleagues are what I like most about the job, but I also very much enjoy the landings!
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
IK: For me, it is to bring us, the freight and the plane safe and on time to the destination.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
IK: I can only give a recommendation for the flying job. You have to start flight training and get your license. Thereafter you can apply for a job at a cargo airline.
You don’t have problems with passengers!
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
IK: Once a ‘Cargonaut’, always a ‘Cargonaut’.
Thank you very much, Inge.
