Shipping companies navigating the Red Sea | Suddenly realizing their maps skipped Africa
Shipping companies navigating the Red Sea | Suddenly realizing their maps skipped Africa
#RedSeaCrisis #ShippingLife #Geopolitics #SupplyChain #AfricaBiggerThanYouThink
Tech: Hi Gerald. Shipment ID # 12345678
Me: *looks up shipment* What about it? Is it ready to go out?
Tech: Yes.
Me: Okay, but where is it? Are you bringing it here, or did you want us to pick it up? USE YOUR WORDS!
#ShippingLife
"Hi, this shipment has been in limbo for months. Is it ready to ship out?"
"Oh, you can close it. It was received."
"Wait, when was this shipped out? By whom? I never saw it here!"
*silence*
#ShippingLife
*20 min later* "Could you let me know if there is any update?"
"Once FedEx tells me anything, I'll let you know."
/fin
#ShippingLife
"This item is clear to send to us. Can you share the tracking number when you have it?"
"Sure thing! *send number*"
"Can I get a copy of the Commercial Invoice?"
"Of course! *send commercial invoice*"
"You got it wrong, please fix."
"That requires restarting the process from scratch!"
#ShippingLife
E-mail from client: "Hello, why haven't I received the tracking number for this laptop being sent internally within the US that you have no hand in sending?"
Me: "... Why the fuck are you asking me!?"
#ShippingLife
Client just came by to drop off a laptop return. Hands me a printed out FedEx label.
"Do you need this?"
"You just hand delivered it. Why would I need a FedEx label addressed to this location?"
#ShippingLife
"Can you deliver these packages under *random name* to my office?"
"I'm sorry, but we don't have anything under that name."
"*gives full name*"
"Sorry, but we don't have those."
"They are being sent out tomorrow."
"I, um..."
#ShippingLife
"I am having trouble tacking this package!"
*looks at desk, see package they are talking about*
"That would be because it hasn't left the building yet. Try after 3pm. Oh, and use the proper tracking number."
#ShippingLife
Example:
"My package was supposed to arrive before noon."
"I'm sorry, but while it was marked as a Priority, once it is given over to FedEx, it is out of our hands."
"Then our company should get a discount for them being late!"
"I'll pass that along."
#ShippingLife
Update: We were given the address to a closed facility, and then the FedEx driver just left the package at the front door of this obviously closed location. This package is possibly gone forever.
#ShippingLife
Ah, Friday! Ready for a nice easy day after a long week!
*two pallets of various numbers and recipients come in*
*request to clear package stuck in Customs*
Well, fuck.
#ShippingLife
"We can't find these items."
"Here is everything that was sent under your name."
"Okay" *leaves*
***
"We still can't find these items."
"Well they didn't magically fucking appear since you were last here!"
#ShippingLife
A client just came to the loading dock, "Those boxes you just delivered, we're missing one. Do you still have it here?"
"Yes, we kept it here as an April Fools' joke just to mess with you."
"Really?"
"No! If I don't deliver your package, I'm not doing my job!"
#ShippingLife
I'm in a pissing contests with a client. You don't want to follow the rules and procedures, fine, I'll be petty and dictatorial about my loading dock.
#ShippingLife
"Can you check on the status of this tracking number?"
"The item was received in Montreal on Thursday."
"Okay, can't you make sure it gets to the recipient?"
"No, because I'm in Ottawa. You need to reach out to the staff in Montreal."
"Can you do it?"
.....
#ShippingLife
"We want this sent to a third-party site in France by Tuesday."
"Okay, sure, but that won't happen for various logistical reasons, not the least of which that we can't send this out any earlier than Monday."
"I'm going over your head."
"Good luck, but no one can alter space/time!"
#ShippingLife
Me: "Hello [client name], can you answer these three questions so I can send you a waybill?"
Client: *answers one question* "Can you send the waybill now?"
Me: "Sure, once you tell me the answer to the other questions."
#ShippingLife
"This package is stuck, can you get it to us?"
"No sorry, only the Sender can do anything."
*four hours later*
"Hey, this same package is stuck. What can you do to get it here?"
"As I explained to your subordinate, nothing."
#ShippingLife
"Is my FedEx waybill still usable?"
"They are only usable for 2 weeks from when they are generated. When did you get it?"
"December 11th."
"Then, no, it is not."
#ShippingLife
