Regulatory requirements for animal transport training vary widely between countries, with many having only general requirements and no minimums. Training personnel can leave air carriers liable if handling is outsourced.
Training is costly for air carriers due to employee wages and scheduling disruptions. Outsourcing handling can compromise quality and safety due to language barriers. The costs of training and regulatory compliance far outweigh the revenue from transporting animals.
While some costs are offset by transporting animals as baggage with passengers, emergency training is often an afterthought with minimal guidance provided. It is advisable for all involved in animal transport such as shippers, agents, and carriers to coordinate emergency response plans.
Regulatory requirements for animal transport training vary widely between countries, with many having only general requirements and no minimums. Training personnel can leave air carriers liable if handling is outsourced.
Training is costly for air carriers due to employee wages and scheduling disruptions. Outsourcing handling can compromise quality and safety due to language barriers. The costs of training and regulatory compliance far outweigh the revenue from transporting animals.
While some costs are offset by transporting animals as baggage with passengers, emergency training is often an afterthought with minimal guidance provided. It is advisable for all involved in animal transport such as shippers, agents, and carriers to coordinate emergency response plans.
Regulatory requirements for animal transport training vary widely between countries, with many having only general requirements and no minimums. Training personnel can leave air carriers liable if handling is outsourced.
Training is costly for air carriers due to employee wages and scheduling disruptions. Outsourcing handling can compromise quality and safety due to language barriers. The costs of training and regulatory compliance far outweigh the revenue from transporting animals.
While some costs are offset by transporting animals as baggage with passengers, emergency training is often an afterthought with minimal guidance provided. It is advisable for all involved in animal transport such as shippers, agents, and carriers to coordinate emergency response plans.
Regulatory Requirements Different by country and economic region Wide variance between countries. Animal producing countries often third-world countries with limited resources for oversight and control. Different training protocols based on exporting/importing country requirements Training can be general or species specific (EU)
Regulatory ( continued ) Majority of world nations have general requirements which apply to all species but no minimum training requirements for shippers, acceptance and handling personnel Liability for training becomes an issue when the carrier outsources handling to a third-party handler Training liability always and issue until an enforcement action. Regulator goes after the party that is registered as the handler
The cost of training or Is it worth it ? Training is costly to air carriers. For unionized employees an average of $26.00 per hour is normal. Also add the cost of pulling employees out of schedule and having other personnel fill in their job functions for a 2 hr training. A major carrier will have 10,000 ground handlers in their company. That 10,000 does not include acceptance and cargo personnel. With outsourcing of manpower to a third party handler the quality and experience is often compromised. Language barriers as English often not primary language.
Number of personnel to be trained can vary based on route structure of carrier Cost of training Without exception, cost of training and being compliant with existing regulatory requirements far exceeds the revenue stream received for transportation Cost usually does not muster with the cost/benefit bean counters ( facility, special ventilation for aircraft, ventilated holding areas planeside all cost centers )
Cost Mitigation Costs for animal transportation in some cases offset by passengers and excess baggage charges for animals accompanying passengers Revenue stream for animal transport as baggage is fully covered by excessive rates and a passenger ticket cost (combi-carriers) Dogs, cats and household birds most common animals accepted as passenger baggage Training curricula Web-based general familiarization Course design tailored to lowest common denominator Training developed in-house or from a third party vendor Training customized to carriers needs. No need to train on the care and feeding of monkeys if you only carry mice Course designed in house or purchased for on-site presentation Presentation of course is one way communication when online and does not provide interactive experience a class room setting provides Curricula On line training is a one-size fits all in most cases. Exceptions exist where the carrier may focus on a specific market. Common with all- cargo carrier and some non-US carriers Training materials and salient points to be covered developed around type of animals carried, competent authority requirements and shippers needs Emergency Training Training for emergencies generally an after thought. Minimally a course may mention the need to have a response plan but stops short of describing one or how to develop Potential emergencies are so varied that a one emergency plan does not fit all Typically carrier will defer to shipper or broker to handle any emergency. Questions to ask If you are either a shipper, agent, broker, 3 rd party handler or carrier it is good business planning to meet with all of the players involved in animal transportation. Meeting before a emergency event takes place makes good business sense. Who does what? When does that happen? last resort planning?