METRANS and CITT sponsored a workshop for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) on Thursday, March 8, 2007. The workshop was titled “Understanding Goods Movement and the Supply Chain- Part II- Focus on Air Cargo: A Workshop for Policy Makers” and built upon a similar class designed for the SBCCOG in December 2005. The intent of each was to introduce decision makers to key aspects of the supply chain. The first focused on maritime ports. This most recent class had as its topic air cargo. The air cargo class was the first-ever workshop of its type for policymakers in Southern California.
Due to the South Bay’s proximity to LAX, understanding how air cargo moves in the region is important. As a result the workshop addressed how the air cargo industry works, how air freight moves from source to destination, and what issues should be considered when decisions are made that could affect the movement of goods. The COG had a particular interest in understanding the role of passenger carriers in moving freight, the businesses which support airport operations, and the possibilities of air cargo traffic shifting to locations other than LAX.
The half-day course was held at the Flight Path Learning Center and Museum adjacent to LAX. The instructor was Jim Powell. Mr. Powell teaches in CSULB’s GLS program (GLS®) and has held executive positions in the logistics industry for the last 24 years. CITT’s Director of Research Tom O’Brien assisted in the design of the course curriculum; and CSULB student research assistant Sandeep Dev helped compile data and presentation materials focusing on the South Bay.
There were 35 participants in the workshop representing eight different cities, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Los Angeles World Airports, Boeing, and consultants who regularly work in the South Bay on transportation matters. The “students” held various job descriptions including planner, council member, planning commissioner and economic development director.
Following the class the participants were invited to take part in a mixer, also at the Flight Path Learning Center, arranged and hosted by the Los Angeles Air Cargo Association. The mixer offered an opportunity for people from local government to meet those involved in the air cargo industry.
After the mixer, the class participants were taken by bus to Pacific Air Cargo, an air freight facility at LAX. Participants were allowed to board the plane as operations were underway