Terminal Handling Environment for Noncontainerized Freight

The air freight terminal has evolved from its beginnings as a by-product industry. It evolved like an unwanted child. The first terminals were patchwork copies of trucking terminals with modifications, but through many trials and errors, they have become the diverse, compatible, flexible series of systems that they are today.

Air cargo terminals, even within the same system, are largely autonomous. This is as it should be. The terminals are individually keyed to the needs of their local shippers and their freight. Similarities exist, naturally, but the systems and the extent to which they are employed differ from station to station. Any attempt to impose uniform operating conditions on the various stations would impair their ability to respond to their local customers.