Monday, 24 October 2005 --- Edition #459 AllCovered-NEWS is sent free via email to over 13,000 and all who request it designed to display as html or plain text as your email software requires CONTENTS AllCovered News THIS WEEK Information to help you to manage and grow your logistics business. Links to source Free from Allcovered.net … We have logistics Allcovered stories at end of excerpts Trouble viewing this? See this & past issues online in PDF format at: http://www.allcovered.net/AC-News-PDF.htm SMALL BUSINESS: Old Scams > > SMALL BUSINESS SECTION < < New Victims

“Phishing” Scams SMALL BIZ - OLD SCAMS – NEW VICTIMS

Protect yourself. TRUCKING: Every year, the US Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Sentinel issues a report on the Trucking Faces top scams of the year, based on the number of complaints filed to watchdog organizations. Major Problems Most all of us have received emails from someone claiming to need to use your bank “Time” Sees account to transfer money… Most of these come from Nigeria. Truck Jobs Schemes that promise “something for nothing” are not new, they just use new technology. Secure Con artists are not creative. They don't have to be. The same tricks work over and over Activists Seek again. Why? HOS Changes --- ANATOMY OF A SCAM --- Doug Shadel, the AARP's Washington state director, and Anthony Pratkanis, a social SECURITY: psychology professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have been studying cons' IBM Wants to pitches through more than 600 telephone conversations taped by the FBI. (Consumers who Secure Your Cargo were being targeted had their calls forwarded to investigators, who then posed as the victims.) --- SPOT IT TO AVOID IT --- Temp-Logging There are usually four steps to pulling off a scam, says Pratkanis: RFID Tag 1- The cons lure you with something tempting.

OCEAN & AIR 2- They gain your trust. FORWARDING: 3- They sweeten the pot to make you really consider biting. PPG Must Pay 4- They close the deal. Everything To do so, they employ any number of strategies at each step. Your Cargo Could Cost You STEP ONE: THE BAIT Distribution Like a fisherman, the scammer promises something wonderful… bait. Changing The Nigerian scam is a great example of this. In exchange for the use of your bank account Delta Expands to move funds out of another country, you're told you'll receive millions of dollars. People Union Says become so distracted by the notion of instant wealth that they're willing to throw their usual NWA caution to the wind. The scam is closed when people fork over money for "incidental fees" to Mechanics move the money to their account or divulge private bank account information that can be used Cannot Vote to move your money out of your account.

JUST FOR FUN: STEP TWO: GAINING YOUR TRUST Scammers will often use what Shadel and Pratkanis call the "command of authority" and the Test Your French premise that your help is direly needed. Again, the Nigerian scam utilizes both of these: The scam is in the form of a personal plea for help, often from a supposed former high-ranking IQ Test official from a foreign government. The official-sounding titles and ranks sprinkled throughout Yankee Test are meant to wrap a cloak of legitimacy around the plea. Your Age & Other tactics used to gain your trust include friendly persuasion, and the "expert snare," Golf Math where the con artist tries to make you feel like an expert who should be able to recognize a Mind Game great opportunity when you see one.

NEXT STEP THREE: SWEETENING THE SCAM WEEK Making a scam appear too good to pass up is critical. What’s Your There are five tactics generally used here: Business + CREATING THE LANDSCAPE: A scammer will try to limit your use of outside information to Worth? investigate the scam. They may say you are being given a secret opportunity that would be

©2005 Allcovered jeopardized if others found out. All Rights Reserved + COMPARISON: One example is when an old price is scratched out and a new one is listed so that you can clearly see the "deal" you're getting.

+ SOCIAL PROOF: A scammer will try to make it sound as if lots of people have already benefited from this scheme, so that you might think, "If everyone is doing it, it must be good." + SELF-GENERATED PERSUASION: Arguably a softer sell than some of the other tactics, the perpetrator plants an idea but lets you use your own imagination to fill in the gaps. + SCARCITY: "When something is made scarce, it triggers three processes," Pratkanis says. "1) In our head, we think, if it's rare it must be valuable; 2) it creates panic… 'if I don't get it now I may never get it'; and 3) it makes you special (for owning it)."

STEP FOUR: CLOSING THE DEAL The con artist may have given you something of perceived value or done something for you in order to create a feeling of obligation. Pratkanis relates a tale where a scammer found out his potential victim was also being played by another con artist. He reported the other guy to the police and took credit for the good deed with the victim only to later defraud her himself. OTHER CLOSING STRATEGIES: + A DOOR-IN-THE-FACE: This is when a scammer proposes something farfetched, such as sending them a large sum of money, which causes you to turn them down. The scammer will then approach with a much smaller request you're more likely to grant. + REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY: Instead of pressuring you, Shadel says, the con might say something like "it's completely up to you what you want to do" or "I wouldn't blame you at all if you wanted to just say no. A lot of people have trouble with making a lot of money." + COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY: With this strategy, a con will ask for a seemingly easy "commitment" up front. It may feel like no more than agreeing with a statement like "You want to make money, don't you?" But when you later try to bail on the deal at hand, the con will bring up your earlier commitment to make you feel you're caught being inconsistent. + FEAR AND INTIMIDATION: If you're still not biting, the scammer may resort to fear and intimidation. Used all too frequently, according to Shadel, this can take the form of personal insults and threats.

WHY THESE OLD SCAMS WORK These strategies tend to be successful because we're used to seeing many legitimate businesses use them. "Sales people have known about these tactics for a long time," says Shadel. When McDonald's advertises the number of burgers served, it's using social proof. Click on a cable home-shopping TV channel and you'll see many tactics at work simultaneously, notably scarcity, social proof and comparison. The difference with scammers, though, is that they'll often take things to an ugly level, using fear and outright deception to get you to cave. MORE: http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Savinganddebt/consumeractionguide/P114426.asp

SMALL BIZ - EMAIL SCAMS – ‘PHISHING’ “Phishing” is the practice of sending emails that trick you into clicking on a link and entering your personal details onto a bogus web site. The email and site look very much like the company being emulated. Usually phishing scams look like emails from banks or PayPal. The messages often ask you to confirm your account details, saying that money is waiting for you or use some other ruse to encourage you to act. Fortunately many of these messages use either standard expressions about the need to “verify your account details”, or use poorly written English, so many of them can be detected. In recent times the phishers have spread their traps beyond banks and are now trying other places where, if you give them access, they can get your credit card or other details. --- SOME PHISHING SCAMS --- AMAZON: Amazon is the target of phishing with some very sincere fake messages. Some general spam promoting various products are formatted to look like they are from Amazon but when you click on the link you go to some other online store. YAHOO: Be it Yahoo Photos, Yahoo Games or some other part of the Yahoo group you might get a message pretending to come from there. SOCCER WORLD CUP: Soccer fans might be tempted by emails saying that they’ve won tickets to the 2006 or 2010 World Cups. FIFA has a specific warning about such messages. EBAY: Like Paypal, eBay is a popular phishing target. MSN: Messages warn you about ‘automatic verification procedures’.

New scams are appearing all the time. You need to keep an eye out for scams beyond just banks and financial institutions.

SMALL BIZ – LEARN MORE ABOUT PHISHING SCAMS: Microsoft has an online streaming video to teach you about the dangers of “phishing” and how to avoid them. MORE: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/email/phishing/video1.mspx

SMALL BIZ – HEALTH – SMALLER HEALTH CARE HIKES: Cost increases for health care benefits at US companies next year are expected to rise at their slowest rate in six years. The news is not as good as it first seems, for they will still rise 9.9%. MORE: http://www.kpmginsiders.com/display_reuters.asp?cs_id=143474

SMALL BIZ – HEALTH – TAX PANEL WANTS TO CUT DEDUCTIONS: The nine-member President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform recommended two plans to revise the federal tax code, both of which would cap income tax deductions for employer-sponsored health insurance. At present the money an employer spends on health premiums is a deductible business expense. MORE: www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/print_report.cfm?DR_ID=33199&dr_cat=3

US ECONOMY – PPI JUMPS 1.9%: Inflation at the wholesale level measured by the Producer Price Index jumped 1.9% in September… This follows Friday’s report that prices at the retail level measured by the Consumer Price Index rose 1.2%. MORE: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/19/BUG26FADJU1.DTL

PERSONAL BIZ – ARMCHAIR CAR: At the Tokyo Auto Show Toyota has unveiled a small electric car with three wheels the size of an armchair for use in cities.

MORE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051019/ap_on_bi_ge/japan_auto_show_i_swing;_ylt=Ai11PKBFLVUnSf_wwVrUubKyBhIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

> > > > TRUCKING SECTION < < < <

TRUCKING – DIESEL STAYS HIGH: The US National Average Retail Diesel Price fell less than a half-cent for the week ending 17 October to $3.148. That’s still 96 cents more than in the same week of 2004. MORE: http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=49713

TRUCKING – OOIDA SEEKS NON-MANDATORY FUEL SURCHARGE: The Owner- Operator Independent Drivers Association is campaigning once again for federal fuel surcharge legislation, but this time with a twist. Unlike past proposals, such as the one included in the transportation funding bill passed this year by the US House of Representatives that failed to make the final bill, this legislation would not make fuel surcharges mandatory. MORE: http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=49682

TRUCKING – TERMINAL DELAYS HURT TRUCKERS MOST: See “Air & Ocean” section

TRUCKING – FREIGHT INDEX FALLS: The Federal Transportation Services Index for freight fell 0.6% in July, to 111.9. This is the second consecutive monthly decline. For the first six months of the year, the overall TSI rose 0.1%. MORE: http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=49684

TRUCKING – INDUSTRY FACES SERIOUS ISSUES From an industry that was in “pretty good shape” six months ago, the trucking industry today faces serious issues that must be addressed according to American Trucking Associations’ president Bill Graves. “We were having the best business in years,” Graves told ATA’s annual Management Conference and Exhibition. Then, he noted, a series of events occurred that put the brakes on the good year. First, rising oil prices sent the price of diesel to record heights, a fact that was compounded in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita when prices rose well in excess of $3 a gallon. Secondly, truck tonnage, which had been increasing month by month during the early part of the year, has fallen for three straight months. Finally, there has been a general softening of consumer confidence. In fact, Graves says, it’s the lowest it’s been in years. “Less consumer spending will translate into less freight for our industry.” --- TWO MAJOR ROADBLOCKS --- Graves says the industry needs help with high fuel prices, and Congress must addresse highway congestion. “Since 1980, highway traffic has doubled, but highway capacity has increased only 3%. Today’s highways are choked with traffic. Today’s economy demands more trucks to haul more freight. “One quarter of those funds (highway funds paid by fuel taxes) are diverted to uses other than to build highways… many times community projects. While those projects are also important, using highway funds for those projects when highway capacity is so tight doesn’t make sense.” MORE: http://www.thetrucker.com/showstory.aspx?id=10256

TRUCKING – “TIME” SEES TRUCK JOBS SECURE “The US is projected to add 574,000 truck-driving jobs over the next decade,” says the Time article “Five Jobs for Our Shores.” The additions stem from the growing economy and from “companies like Wal-Mart shipping freight from China.” Time says trucking is one of the five careers safest from outsourcing. While people possibly will decide to become a trucker after reading the article, it’s more likely to inspire guidance counselors, says ATA spokesman Mike Russell. “It is a major selling point when you can say your job is never going to be outsourced overseas, because that is a serious issue in the workforce today.” The other “Jobs for Our Shores” listed in the magazine were petroleum geologist, fitness and aerobics instructor, nurse and financial planner. MORE: http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=49680

TRUCKING – ACTIVISTS WANT TIGHTER H-O-S Four activist groups, calling themselves the Truck Safety Coalition, are urging the US Congress not to write the new driver hours -of-service rule into law. Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, Parents Against Tired Truckers, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Public Citizen also want DOT to cut maximum driving time. The groups criticized the 11-hour drive times, the 34-hour restart provision and the absence of electronic on-board recorders. MORE: http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=49766

> > > > SECURITY SECTION < < < <

SECURITY - IBM WANTS TO SECURE YOUR CARGO IBM’s announcement of cooperation with Maersk on container security was just the beginning. IBM's now says will unveil GMM (Global Movement Management) a supply-chain security framework will introduce a multi-engine backbone security architecture, to be known as GMSA (Global Movement Security Architecture), geared to handling everything from certifying people, data and product shipments to managing "enforcement and alerts." First mentioned publicly last month, during a press conference held to announce IBM Corp.'s Intelligent Trade Lane supply-chain initiative, GMM will aim to secure not just information, but other "key flows," such as people, goods, conveyances and money, within a set of targeted vertical markets. --- INTELLIGENT TRADE LANE --- Slated for initial pilot testing in November, Intelligent Trade Lane is a joint initiative with ocean shipper Maersk Logistics designed to offer supply-chain efficiencies as well as better security to customers shipping products internationally. The new technology combines tamper-proof smart cards; wireless sensors for measuring location and temperature; and satellite, cellular, and mesh wireless networks for communications from ocean-bound cargo containers to customers over the epcGlobal network. The smart cards and sensors will be housed inside cigar box-sized devices called TRECs (Tamper Resistant Embedded Containers), which will attach to shipping containers. --- GMM BROADER – KEY FLOWS --- GMM is designed to handle much more than the Intelligent Trade Lane system. GMM is set for formal rollout by IBM some time over the next few months. Intended to monitor the progress of the key flows, the GMSA's Tracking Engine will include traditional supply chain management tools. Law enforcement agencies will be able to use GMM for communications with "key stakeholders," to monitor suspicious activity, and, where appropriate, to "take targeted steps to halt this activity and trace it to its source." MORE: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1872544,00.asp

SECURITY – TEMP LOGGING RFID TAG A new temperature logging radio frequency identification (RFID) tag targets food processors and handlers who need to comply with the latest EU requirements and pending US traceability legislation. The EU's traceability requirement applies to all food and feed, all food and feed business operators. Food processors are required to trace food, feed and ingredients through all stages of production, processing and distribution. Austria-based Identec Solutions says its wireless temperature logger is capable of sampling, time stamping, and storing up to 13,000 temperature readings in its memory, which can then be retrieved using a handheld personal digital assistant (PDA) or dock-door reader at distances of up to 100 meters. MORE: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=63387-rfid-temperature-tag

SECURITY – WHERENET’S ELECTRONIC BOX SEALS: IBM and Maersk are not the only companies actively pushing electronic container seal technology. WhereNet has a version it says provides “Real Time Location Systems” (RTLS) technology to track goods and containers through active RFID networks. MORE: http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleprint/1922/-1/1/

SECURITY – AUSSIE GOVERNMENT ADMITS CUSTOMS SLOWING CARGO: The Australian government is conceding that its new customs system is banking up containers on the nation's key ports, but is vowing to stick with the program. Customs Minister Chris Ellison says he had been under pressure from shippers and customs brokers to push ahead with the system despite warnings it could cause major problems in ports such as Melbourne and Port Botany. The new system has been dogged with technical difficulties that have pushed the estimated $30 million cost of its introduction to $250 million. Cargo clearance rates at Port Botany and Melbourne - two of the nation's most important ports - are down to 30% of normal levels because of the new system. MORE: http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,16973545-31037,00.html MORE: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2005/s1488010.htm

> > > AIR & OCEAN SECTION < < <

TRADE – COURT SAYS PPG LIABLE FOR HAZMAT SHIP FIRE --- YOUR CARGO COULD MAKE YOU LIABLE --- If cargo you ship causes damage, you could pay for everything. A US Court says Pittsburgh-based chemical manufacturer PPG Industries is liable for damage claims following an explosion and fire aboard the containership “DG Harmony” that occurred off the coast of Brazil Nov. 9, 1998. The crew and captain abandoned the vessel, which burned for three weeks. Most of its cargo was destroyed or damaged. The ship itself was declared a total loss and was eventually scrapped. Cargo interests that subsequently sued PPG argued that the fire had been caused by a PPG shipment of calcium hypochlorite hydrated, or “cal-hypo,” a bactericide used to purify water. The cal-hypo was stored in 120 drums on tightly wrapped pallets that had been packed in 10 unventilated containers. According to the court, investigators proved “beyond any reasonable doubt” that the cal-hypo in at least one container had decomposed and self-heated, causing the blast and resulting inferno that spread over the ship. --- YOU NEED NOT KNOW OF DANGER TO BE LIABLE --- “Although I have concluded that PPG was not actually aware of the full risks of shipping cal- hypo in 300-pound drums in the manner in which it was shipped here, I conclude also that the hazard was reasonable, as there were sufficient red flags to have caused PPG, in the interests of reasonable care, to have investigated further the dangers presented,” said the judge in his ruling. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=24003

TRADE – COURT RULING - SO WHAT? In essence, here is what this court ruling means. If you move cargo, and that cargo causes damage, the forwarder, shipper and all who “should have known” of the danger the cargo may have posed and you will pay for any damaged. --- WHAT CAN YOU DO? --- ? Know your shippers ? Know the cargo and what hazards it poses ? Make sure you or Shipper prepare the cargo correctly for the transit ? Make sure all documents note special handling needs GO TO: http://www.allcovered.net CLICK: “Training & Help” – then – CLICK: “Packing Help” YOU DESERVE IT – WE DELIVER IT www.allcovered.net …… We have logistics Allcovered!

ASK YOURSELF: Are your other providers helping you like this? Call or email today… start saving…

TRADE – FUEL COSTS & SHIPPING TRENDS CHANGE DISTRIBUTION We used to think “A big box is a big box is a big box.” Not any more. New distribution centers (DCs) look and work differently. Do you need to re-think where your facilities are placed so you can better service Distribution Centers? --- WHAT’S DIFFERENT? --- + Warehouses are larger… with 50-foot (15m) ceilings… replacing square footage with cube space. + Rail access is more important now that trucking fuel costs are higher. + Communities are offering double or triple “Free Port” tax exemptions to land DCs. + Security is tighter. + RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tag usage is being designed in to better monitor shipments and provide both suppliers and end-users with more accurate information about where cargo is… in real-time. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/economic_view/economic_snapshot/2005/10/17/sanantonio_focus3.html?f=et157&hbx=e_vert

TRADE – MOB WITNESS MISSING IN ILA TRIAL: The FBI is searching for Lawrence Ricci, the alleged Mafia captain who disappeared in the middle of a federal trial in which he is a co- defendant with two International Longshoremen's Association officials. Ricci failed to appear in US District Court in Brooklyn last week for his trial on charges of mail and wire fraud conspiracy, producing speculation that he may have been murdered. MORE: http://www.joc.com/20051017/sections/ocean/w58196.asp

OCEAN – MOBSTERS TESTIFY IN ILA TRIAL: A confessed mob soldier testified Tuesday that he participated in numerous discussions about an "accommodation" between the Genovese and Gambino crime families to place International Longshoremen's Association official Harold Daggett in position to succeed John Bowers as president of the union. Primo Casserino, a burly Gambino mobster serving an 11-1/2-year prison sentence for a waterfront racketeering conviction, also said he had acted as a bagman for funds delivered to Vincent Nasso, head of VIP/GPP, a firm that prosecutors say used mob influence to land an ILA pharmaceutical-benefits contract. MORE: http://www.joc.com/20051018/sections/ocean/w87414.asp

TRADE – K+N BUYING ACR: Kuehne + Nagel International (K+N), the world's biggest sea- freight forwarder by tonnage, has entered into a Euro 440 million (USD 526-million) agreement to acquire ACR Logistics (ACR), one of the strongest contract logistics providers in Europe. ACR formerly Hays Logistics is being sold by US-based Platinum Equity Group.

MORE: http://www.datamonitor.com/~08cc83131a364a769cbcf902fc24afac~/industries/news/article/?pid=EEC01544-1D3D-4069-B5A9 -4B74B9E38558&type=NewsWire

SMALL BIZ - HELPING YOU GROW At Allcovered.net we work to help you grow and manage your business. Why? Because as you grow, we grow. With this newsletter each week keeping you better informed… With training, research and reference materials only a click away to help you… With personalized service only a mouse click, a chat, an email or phone call away… We’re here when you need us. Ask yourself… are your current providers helping you like this? YOU DESERVE IT – WE DELIVER IT www.allcovered.net …… We have logistics All covered.

AIR – AMERICAN, NWA ADD FUEL SURCHARGES: American Airlines Cargo and Northwest Airlines Cargo will raise fuel surcharges. Effective 26 September American’s fuel surcharge rises to $0.60/kg for international shipments and $0.24/lb for domestic air freight. NWA Cargo hikes to $60/kg for international air and $0.25/lb for domestic on 1 November. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=23889

AIR – CONTINENTAL HIKES FUEL SURCHARGE: Continental Airlines cargo division will increase its fuel surcharge in all trades effective today. The fuel surcharge for cargo from the US to destinations in Europe, Israel, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Asia and Pacific/Micronesia Islands will be $0.55 per kilo of freight weight. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=23925

AIR – AF-KLM CARGO HIKE FUEL SURCHARGE: Air France-KLM will hike its cargo surcharge to Euro 0.60/kg effective Friday, 28 October. MORE: http://www.joc.com/20051017/sections/air/w50953.asp

AIR – ANA & JAPAN POST CREATE CARGO AIRLINE: All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Post signed a strategic agreement that will include establishing a new cargo airline and joint international express courier services particularly to the Asian market. Operations are should start within the first half of the fiscal year 2006. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=23999

AIR – LH ADDS DOHA: Lufthansa will offer three weekly flights using A330s between Frankfurt and Doha beginning in January. Flights will stop in Kuwait.

AIR – AIR CANADA ADDS ANCHORAGE SERVICE: Air Canada has begun freighter service between Toronto and Anchorage with flights continuing to Shanghai.

AIR – JET ADDS SINGAPORE SERVICE: Jet Airways will begin new daily services to Singapore from Chennai, Singapore and Bangalore by the end of October.

AIR – KAL CARGO EXPANDING EU SERVICE: Korean Air is expanding its European cargo network by launching services to Vienna, Austria and Oslo, Norway. As the world economy is picking up, the international cargo market is growing. KAL has increased its traffic from Europe by 25% this year. MORE: http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=485

AIR – DELTA EXPANDING TRANS-ATLANTIC In what Delta describes as "the largest international expansion in its history," the bankrupt carrier said it will launch nonstop widebody service from its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and base at New York JFK to 11 cities in Europe and the Middle East over the next year. In the announcement, Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein said, "Since January, we have announced our intentions to serve more than 50 new international markets, making Delta the fastest-growing US carrier to Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Latin America." By next summer it will serve 66 international markets in 40 countries, making Hartsfield-Jackson the third-largest international hub in North America. MORE: http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=2777 MORE: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1129638124.html

AIR – NWA STRIKING MECHANICS WILL NOT VOTE Striking mechanics at bankrupt Northwest Airlines announced Thursday they will not vote on a company proposal to end their two month walkout and allow some of them to go back to work. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said the carrier inserted language in its "return- to-work" agreement at the last minute that violated the group's constitution and cannot be approved. Jim Young, the union's chief negotiator, said the "bombshell" language intended to prevent retaliation against replacement workers at the workplace was arbitrary. About 4,400 mechanics and related workers struck on August 20 over concession proposals that preceded the company's bankruptcy filing in September. At the time, union leaders rejected a proposal that would have dramatically cut wages but would have saved more than 2,700 jobs. The company's latest offer would have allowed 500 union members return to work, joining about 600 replacement workers who have been hired permanently. The airline contracted other work and slashed positions to save money. MORE: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1129890356.html

AIR – COURT SAYS NWA CAN RETURN AIRCRAFT: A New York bankruptcy court judge says Northwest Airlines may return up to 108 aircraft it is leasing but said the carrier has to give five days notice to the planes' owners. MORE: http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051019/APF/510190797

AIR – EU & US MAKE ‘OPEN SKIES’ PROGRESS: The European Union and United States have agreed the key elements of a first-stage deal on an "open skies" aviation pact according to a European Commission spokesman. One of the key elements of an open skies deal would be relaxing traffic rights that govern which airlines are allowed to fly routes to specific destinations. MORE: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1129901576.html MORE: http://www.joc.com/lede/20051021/sections/air/w34944.asp

AIR – US-EU ‘OPEN SKIES’ – SO WHAT?: Why should you care if the US and EU reach an “Open Skies” agreement? “Open Skies” agreements allow airlines to fly to/from anywhere between agreeing countries. Ratification of an open skies agreement between the US and EU would mean a significant increase in jobs on both sides of the Atlantic… more efficient use of aircraft… more options for passengers and cargo. MORE: http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=2735

AIR – US-EU “OPEN SKIES” FOR CARGO BY YEAR’S END?: MORE: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1129555873.html

OCEAN – PORT MIAMI CLOSES AHEAD OF WILMA: The Port of Miami closed ahead of Hurricane Wilma. Wilma is the sixth hurricane to hit some part of Florida in the last 14 months. MORE: http://www.joc.com/lede/20051021/sections/ocean/w22910.asp

OCEAN – NO EU PORT CONGESTION: Europe's top container ports have avoided a repeat of last year's peak-season delays, despite surging imports from China and other Asian nations that have boosted container traffic by as much as 15%. European ports have been investing heavily in new equipment, hiring extra longshoremen, changing working practices and improving planning procedures. MORE: http://www.joc.com/20051021/sections/ocean/w39419.asp

OCEAN – VANCOUVER TRUCKERS TROUBLED AGAIN: Container truck drivers who struck the Port of Vancouver for six weeks this summer have joined a union and plan to protest the controversial licensing program that ended their walkout. Drivers say a loophole allows companies with employee drivers to undercut independent drivers' pay rates that were specified in the federally imposed agreement. MORE: http://www.joc.com/lede/20051021/sections/logis/w19730.asp

OCEAN – TERMINAL DELAYS HURT TRUCKERS MOST: Delays at marine terminals are the biggest roadblock to improving the pay of truck drivers, and there appears to be no immediate relief to this problem, according to a study of the harbor drayage industry in Southern California. "Given the inability of drivers to collectively bargain, and the apparent inability of port drayage companies to contract for higher rates with ocean carriers, there is little hope that the inefficient use of drivers' time will be remedied," says Kristen Monaco of Cal State Long Beach, author of the study. MORE: http://www.joc.com/20051020/sections/logis/w50320.asp

OCEAN – HYUNDAI READY TO BUILD MEGA-MEGA BOX SHIP: The world's largest container ship capable of carrying over 13,000 TEUs (20-ft containers) has been unveiled and is ready for orders, according to Germanischer Lloyd (GL) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). Unlike previous ultra-large container ship designs that were purely theoretical, this new behemoth is ready to be built, with the Korean yard now accepting orders. It will take 9 to 10 months to build. First deliveries are expected in 2009. The current largest container ships being built are in the 10,000 TEU range. MORE: http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/sub/shippingtimes/story/0,4574,173047,00.html

OCEAN – EVERGREEN, COSCO, HAPAG-LLOYD MERGE SERVICE: Evergreen Marine, Hapag-Lloyd and COSCO Container Lines will merge two of their joint Far East/Red Sea services into one loop next month. The two existing services, the Far East-Red Sea (FRS) service and the Strait-Red Sea Express (SRX) service, both using ships of 1,600-1,800 TEUs, will be merged into a single loop called FRS deploying six vessels of about 2,700 TEUs and adding calls in China. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=23893

OCEAN – APL CARGO UP 11% IN SEPTEMBER: APL's container traffic rose 11% to 157,900 40-foot equivalent units during the four-week period ended 27 September compared to September 2004. APL's average revenue per FEU rose 1% to $2,939. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=23892

OCEAN – MAERSK & MSC TEAM ON MORE ASIA-AUS SERVICE: Maersk Sealand will cooperate with Mediterranean Shipping Company on two additional loops from North and Central Asia to Australia starting in February. No details of the number and size of the ships to be deployed. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=23929

OCEAN – GA & SHANGHAI PORTS INK CO-OP DEAL: The Georgia Ports Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding with the operator of the port of Shanghai, Shanghai International Port to jointly promote all-water shipping routes and trade opportunities between Asia and the port of Savannah. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=23919

OCEAN – MSC PLANS INDIA SERVICE: Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company is starting a new weekly service from the Far East direct to ports in India, Pakistan and the Persian Gulf beginning 5 November.

OCEAN – YN, KMT & SAMUDERA ASIA-INDIA SERVICE: Yang Ming Marine, Korea Marine Transport and Samudera Shipping Line will jointly operate a fixed-day weekly Far East service to India and Middle East with a round voyage of 28 days, called the China-India-Middle East Express Service (CIX) beginning 16 November. MORE: http://www.joc.com/20051018/sections/ocean/w51468.asp

OCEAN – BOX SHIP CHARTER RATES FALL: The recent slide in container ship charter rates has accelerated sharply in recent days, prompting some brokers to call the start of a bear market and fueling fears that liner freight rates will soften as dozens of big ships enter service. The closely watched Howe Robinson index fell 20% from its June peak, leading analysts to fear a crash in charter rates in coming months. MORE: http://www.joc.com/20051018/sections/ocean/w89795.asp

OCEAN – TUI GETS CP-SHIPS: CP Ships shareholders accepted Hapag-Lloyd parent company TUI AG's $21.50 per share offer. "By successfully acquiring CP Ships, we will transform our shipping division into a global player, and at the same time establish our group on a second, profitable base," says Michael Frenzel, chief executive officer of TUI. MORE: http://www.americanshipper.com/frm2001.asp?Target=NewsFrame.asp?news=24004

> > > > > JUST FOR FUN < < < < < (These are shared by readers – Please share yours. Thanks. Mike)

HOW SMART ARE YOU – FRENCH: The next in the BBC’s tests. MORE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4338028.stm

IQ TEST Here is a ONE question IQ Test to help you decide how you should spend the rest of your day. QUESTION: There is a mute who wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing one's teeth, he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done. Now if there is a blind man who wishes to buy a pair of sunglasses, how should he express himself? Think about it first before scrolling down for the answer at the bottom of this section.

YANKEE TEST Are you a Southerner or Yankee? It only takes a minute to find out. MORE: http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html

YOUR AGE AND “GOLF MATH” It takes less than a minute. Work this out as you read. Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out! 1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to PLAY GOLF . (more than once but less than 10). 2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold)... 3. Add 5. (for Sunday)... 4. Multiply it by 50 I'll wait while you get the calculator… 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1755... If you haven't, add 1754… 6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born... You should have a three digit number.

GOLF MATH RESULTS: The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to PLAY GOLF each week). The next two numbers are... YOUR AGE!!! This is the only year, (2005) it will ever work, so spread it around while it lasts.

MIND GAME 2% or 98%? Are you the 2% or 98% of the population? Follow the instructions. Do the following exercise, guaranteed to raise an eyebrow. There's no trick or surprise. Just follow these instructions, and answer the questions one at a time and as quickly as you can. Again, as quickly as you can but don't advance until you've done each of them. 1)- Think of a number between 1 and 10. 2)- Multiply that number by 9 3)- If the number is a 2-digit number, add the digits together. 4)- Now subtract 5. 5)- Determine which letter in the alphabet corresponds to the number you ended up with. (EXAMPLE: 1=a, 2=b, 3=c, etc.) 6)- Think of a country that starts with that letter. 7)- Remember the last letter of the name of that country. 8)- Think of the name of an animal that starts with that letter. 9)- Remember the last letter in the name of that animal. 10)- Think of the name of a fruit that starts with that letter. 11)- Are you thinking of a Kangaroo in Denmark eating an Orange?

If not, you're among the 2% of the population whose minds are different enough to think of something else. 98% of people will answer with kangaroos in Denmark when given this exercise.

IQ TEST ANSWER: The blind man opens his mouth and says, "I would like to buy a pair of sunglasses." If you got this wrong, please pack up your things, turn off your computer and call it a day. But look on the bright side… now you can say you’re qualified to move into a manager’s office.

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Information for this week’s AllCovered-NEWS was gleaned primarily from: Air Transport World = http://www.atwonline.com AirWise = http://news.airwise.com/index.html American Shipper = www.americanshipper.com Business Times of Asia = http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/ The Economist = http://www.economist.com Financial Times of London = http://www.ft.com Journal of Commerce = http://www.joc.com Logistics News = http://www.logisticsnews.com Trucking Info = http://www.truckinginfo.com The Trucker = http://www.thetrucker.com eTrucker = http://www.etrucker.com Traffic World = http://www.trafficworld.com Yahoo Business News = http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=index&cid=749 Additional information comes from our own and other sources.

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