Trucking On With Lady Truckers

In America, there is a California based air cargo company called Jet Airways with no connection to an airline of India with the same name.

Jet Airways that operates trucks and specializes in single source logistics is headed up by not one, but two women who say that the way they have “made it” in a male dominated industry, is by building on the principle that the Golden Rule applies to business as well as to life: "Treat your customers the way you like to be treated."

Founding partners Tammy Zwicki, CFO (In photo left) and Monika Lutz, CEO (in photo, right) bring with them plenty of combined industry experience.

They are renowned for their ongoing dedication to excellence and unwavering commitment to their customers' satisfaction.

Monika Lutz, CEO is the Chief Executive Officer at Jet Airways. In addition to her many executive responsibilities, Monika plans strategic direction, builds overseas client relations and manages the sales and marketing of the company. She also hires and trains General Sales Agents and all customer service representatives. Monika oversees the customer service department in a hands-on daily basis as well. Ms. Lutz has over 25 years of experience in the airfreight business. Previously, she had worked as a customer service representative at Korean Air in Los Angeles and gradually stepped into a road-feeder service career in 1987; as a Western Regional Cargo Sales Manager for Link America/Air Wisconsin; and National Accounts Manager with Airmax Airlines.

Tammy Zwicki, CFO (left) is in charge of all the financial aspects of the company as well as the training, staffing, and running of the operations and accounting department. Tammy is also in charge of all the computer related issues that include a new company IT service offering customers 24/7 internet access to shipments in real time called Global Trak. Ms. Zwicki also assists Monika in any sales-related issue or contracts that need to be put together. Previously she had devoted 5 years as an Air Import Manager for a Customs Broker and before that spent 14 years in the road-feeder business.

“Jet Airways is a world leader in single source logistics provider services, with an international reputation for the best personal, in-house supervision and expertise for any shipping requirement, including truck, air, ocean, rail and more,” Monika says. “Our Personal Contact system handles every transportation need while backed by our in house trained team of experts, assisted by Jet’s extensive network of representatives, vendors, and our proprietary Global Trak System. “We manage the entire shipping process from cost analysis to route supervision in a cost-effective manner from the initiation of an order through delivery.”

So how are the ladies doing in the marketplace?

Air cargo tough guy Sal Sanfilippo, the boss over at Air New Zealand Cargo The Americas can’t say enough.

“We have been using Jet Airways for all our trucking requirements within the United States for almost twenty years. “Our reason for using Jet Airways is quite simple; they provide an excellent service with competitive pricing.

“We receive automatic Proof of Deliveries for all our shipments and in the event of delays, Jet's staff has always contacted the consignee and us to keep us updated. This high level of service has resulted in Air New Zealand receiving continued support from our customers. All of our cargo booking are promptly answered which includes any rate inquiries we may have. The added benefit any airline has using Jet Airways is that they are always contactable 24 hours a day via SITA, e-mail or phone, and that their operations are geared in line with airline operations.”

Mr. Yong Chil Hwang, Senior Manager Cargo, for Asiana echoes the sentiment. He notes:

“We have worked with Monika Lutz and Tammy Zwicki for over 15 years in the LAX gateway. Today Jet Airways manages all of the import and export trucking out of our ORD gateway.   They have our business because they maintain our very high service requirements at a competitive price. They provided all of our FSU messaging to include RCS, FCF, DLV, NFD & DIS. Every week, we provided them with a performance report and they consistently score in the high 90-percentile range.

“Jet is always there with a logistical solution.”

“In an industry where service has fallen by the wayside, it is nice to do business with a company that actually does return calls, does react quickly to our needs and does not take its customers for granted.”

Geoffrey Arend, Managing Editor, Air Cargo News