Bigger vehicle, same principle
In order to get to Dubai, I hitch a ride on a Boeing 777, one of the planes that TNT operates out of Hong Kong. This “airbridge” provided by the TNT air network allows TNT to seamlessly connect their road networks globally, delivering a secure, day defi nite, integrated door to door solution. Meeting both, the pilot and fi rst offi cer, in the departure hall of Chek Lap Kok Airport, we start chatting. We are sure the following will fi ll truck drivers with pride. You are actually not much different from these pilots, just that the vehicle is a different one. As you would be doing a walk around your truck, pilots do the same with the plane in order to ensure the vehicle is in top working condition and maintenance has been carried out as scheduled.

The load will be stowed and the pilots check if everything is secured properly. When transporting goods on a trailer, moving pallets may result in damaged goods. For a plane, loose cargo could be fatal. Cruising along your predefi ned and geo-fenced routes is pretty much also the same as fl ying a plane. The Boeing travels along pre-programmed waypoints. Deviate and the Air-Traffic Control will radio in to see what is going on. Sounds familiar?

Tough job - prompt deliveries
Heat, bureaucracy, complicated rules and regulations and demanding climatic conditions make the job a tough one.However, here as well as in SEA, the MERN machinery is running well oiled and smooth. Cargo volumes are increasing and management is confi dent that the approach is right. What impacts the business the most are the dedicated and well trained TNT drivers. Without them paying attention to the smallest details, things would not run as smooth and deliveries would get stuck.

Yet again, we see TNT having managed to adapt their system to the conditions on the ground. Trucks are well maintained, the drivers well trained and dedicated. While we see that that there are many differences to what we experienced on the ARN, we note that both road networks have one thing in common: Prompt deliveries.

Full article in our Asian Trucker Issue 18 Malaysia.