BHX Freight 1970s-1980s

[Deleted member 13091]

I started working at BHX in Forward House in 1978 for Mercury Airfreight as an export clerk under Brian Le Viscount and Bob Wooley - colleagues Robert (Trindle), Colin and Steve (Imports) and Anne typist - they were a good team but people in Freight moved on quite quickly because of pay. I remember the Rep from Air India used to bring us sandwiches about once per month. Regretably, I moved to Tower Air in Garretts Green and LEP for short periods. In 1982 I joined DC Andrews Ballantyne with Paul (manager), Chris Bedford (imports), Mark (exports), Lorraine (sea freight), Steve and Geraldine (sales) and a delivery driver that used F word every sentence. I then moved to DHL till 1990 and then back to Dateline Forwarding under an Import manager that was pissed every afternoon after returning from the Silver Wings club. He blamed me for everything going wrong so I left and joined a small company called C.A.M. International in Forward House for about 18 months.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Hello john_y and welcome to the forum. Thanks for sharing your memories and if you have any more then please post them.

Regards

Kevin

 

[Deleted member 13091]

DHL used to operate a signge engined (Cessna) aircraft from BHX to Southend every weekday evening - with BRU hub European documents and WPX.

Also, a 'trick' question for you pax and freight BHX 'employees' - what aircraft type was designated the BA3931 ??

Lastly anyone remember hanger 3 where B.A. Freight and H.M. Customs and Excise Long Room were located - I attach a picture of where it used to be.

John

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Also, a 'trick' question for you pax and freight BHX 'employees' - what aircraft type was designated the BA3931 ??

John

Would this be the lorries that transported checked in air freight from BHX to LHR?

Kevin

 

[rollo]

Would this be the lorries that transported checked in air freight from BHX to LHR?

Kevin

Reckon the BA lorries is a good shout and regarding the question about hanger three I remember it well particularly when Alitalia and SAS were operating DC-9 freighters to Milan and Copenhagen (plus British Airways Vanguards I think) also spent or is that misspent many hours in the Aero Club next to hanger three in Elmdon Lane but that's another story.

 

[CL44]

Blimey. Some very familiar names mentioned in your first post. Have spent 28 of the last 37 years in Forward House and recognise most (if not all of the names). Certainly remember hanger 3 with BA & HMRC, the Aero and Silver Wings as well (had my 18th and 21st in the Wings). Forward House hasn't changed too much apart from being a lot emptier than you will remember.

 

[Scottie Dog]

@john_y, can I reiterate Kevin's welcome to the group. Thank you for a great potted history.

 

[Deleted member 13091]

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I remember hangar 3, but only as an aviation enthusiast (I've never worked in aviation). Didn't hangar 3 cause problems with the ILS?

Kevin

 

[Deleted member 13091]

CL44 - 28 years goes back to 1994 so I left CAM Intl (Chris and Colin Mundell) in 1991 - we shared what is known now as CHIEF/ Import Computer with RH Freight - the manager there was an exceedingly decent well known bloke and perhaps you know him - name just doesn't come to mind. What happened to Freight Forwarding especially in Forward House - did they busniness all scarper to the international courier companies like me. Well, I started DHL Air Cargo in Elan Intl. office in Gravelly Park Industrial Estate in about 1983.

 

[Deleted member 13091]

ILS ?

 

[Scottie Dog]

I never worked in the freight industry or at BHX, but I just wanted to thank you for your interesting post.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

ILS ?

Instrument Landing System.

Kevin

 

[Deleted member 13091]

Yep, the lorries but I think it was the other way lhr-bhx and they were customs sealed. Okay, you must remember Ware Transport, what did they do?

 

[CL44]

So many small companies were bought out by bigger companies who didn't want multiple offices with duplicated staff. This meant most of the companies in Forward House were swallowed up into their new owners. So many names vanished so quickly!
There are still 3 forwarders in the building (us and 2 others) but that is a far cry from what it used to be like.

 

[CL44]

Ware Transport were bought out by Trilogy (after Alan Parsons passed away).

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Yep, the lorries but I think it was the other way lhr-bhx and they were customs sealed. Okay, you must remember Ware Transport, what did they do?

Thanks, john_y. 'Custom sealed' is what I was thinking of when I said 'checked in'. As for Ware Transport, I haven't a clue having never worked in the freight industry. I'm a Scientist (Chemistry), for my sins.

Kevin

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I just wanted to thank you for your interesting post.

It's certainly got an enthusiastic discussion going!

Kevin

 

[Deleted member 13091]

I would imagine there were 30+ in Forward House - You work for H****K ?

Has work for import/ export airfreight clerks completely died - I thought there might have been a ressurgence since we left Europe. Oh, remember T2L and EURO1 certificates?

 

[CL44]

Busted!!! Yes I do work for them. Busier than ever now that everything has to be entered to Customs. Of course the lack of availability over the last two years (flight wise) has not helped. Getting a little bit better now but still not as good as it should be.