Cargo Villagers indulge in friendly rivalry

DOES A CUP of coffee enjoyed with your competitors before the full working day starts constitute a strong liaison between the companies involved? "It may seem like that to some, but it's far from the truth," say Emirates South African cargo manager Kum Naicker and Cindy Wilson, who handles the same portfolio for Qantas. They have offices in the same building - on the same floor in fact - as Airline Cargo Resources in Pomona. But when the coffee cups are empty, the competitiveness returns. "We share information on what is happening in the general market place, and often discuss the major topics of the day. But it ends when we go back to our working desks." ACR is the handling agent for Qantas but has no further control over the airline's affairs in this country. Emirates runs separately from both, although the Dubai-based airline is considering using ACR's domestic trucking services in the near future. "I have recommended to my headquarters that we go that route, but everything depends on Dubai's approval," says Naicker. "It makes sense because being in the same premises we will have hands-on control of all cargo coming in and going out from here to the coast. It will definitely not affect our handling operations at Johannesburg International Airport, however. That remains unchanged and in the hands of SAA, with our own staff supervising it."