The Coalition for Luggage Security was established to ensure the safety of travelers through alternate means of luggage transportation. The Coalition’s goal is to raise public awareness about luggage and cargo safety issues. The Coalition, a membership based organization, is the brainchild of Richard A. Altomare, Founder and CEO of fast-growing Universal Express.
According to Altomare, “We want to get the issue of luggage security on the table before we hear about it on CNN”, according to Altomare, adding that air travel security has improved, but falls short in addressing the issue of luggage screening. In meetings with the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, the Coalition will be recommending alternatives for transporting luggage.
Transporting luggage is a hassle all the way around. For the airlines, it significantly raises costs in manpower, turn-around time and fuel. In fact, most airlines do not even track their costs for luggage transport, meaning that pricing decisions are based on other criteria.
For the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), luggage presents security issues from curbside–which is a particular concern for the Coalition–to destination. Congress recently passed the Aviation and Transportation law, authorizing security fees of up to $10 per round trip per passenger to improve security.
The TSA spent $1.45 billion on baggage screening in 2005, so it is obvious that this fee does not begin to cover the expenses associated with luggage screening. Although the TSA has addressed many other security issues, luggage has presented unique difficulties, Altomare said. The TSA has not even begun to address security from ground transportation to the check-in line.
For the passenger, luggage means long lines at check-in, the possibility of extra charges for weight, inspections, heavy lifting, concerns about lost luggage (30,000 pieces of luggage are lost every day), and long waits for luggage at destination.
The Coalition suggests imposing a user fee for airline-transported luggage. Faced with paying a fee per bag, many passengers would opt for alternate methods of transporting luggage. A luggage-free/hands- free future has benefits for everyone involved. The Coalition suggests that airlines which adopt a luggage-free/hands-free policy could offer discounts for passengers without luggage; separate, luggage-free lines at check-in or possibly even fees for carry-on luggage. Airlines could even offer luggage–shipping options during the reservation process.
Altomare says, “Ideas are only limited by the willingness of airlines to become profitable, governments to release their controls on the traveling public, airports to utilize space and infrastructure more effectively, and most importantly, for the American people to re- embrace freedom of movement without restrictions,” Altomare said. “ To win the war on terror by our actions, our ideas, and our resolve is the purpose of the Coalition.”
The Coalition’s White Paper is available at their web site, www.luggagesecuritycoalition.com.
One luggage shipping option is available through Luggage Express, a subsidiary of Universal Express. The Universal Express philosophy – “Others move boxes, we think outside of them” – has led Universal Express, Inc.the company to rapid growth in the logistics and financial industries.
After coming out of the Marine Corps, Altomare worked for EF Hutton &
Co. until it closed, when he started an investment banking group,
Amerivest Group. Among other activities, the investment group took over distressed and bankrupt companies. The eighteenth such company, Packaging Plus Services, eventually became Universal Express, a unified private postal system with worldwide delivery capabilities.
Universal Express has grown from a small player in the franchised postal store industry into a logistics and transportation conglomerate with multiple developing subsidiaries and services, including Universal Courier Association, Postal Nation, Universal- Post Network, Luggage Express, Virtual Bellhop, MadPackers, LEAP (Luggage Express Associates Program), USXP Capital and Cash Express.
Recognizing the fragmented nature of the postal store industry, Altomare said: “This industry could benefit by bringing it all together as a group to secure lower shipping rates, to help increase profits and reduce overhead for store owners, as well as expansion of the industry itself. A unified private postal network which included carrier service could provide the public with a complement to the U.S. Post Office, while the postal stores could offer an additional variety of personal business services and merchandise.”
Postal Nation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Express, is that unified postal network. A Postal Nation store is a neighborhood business assistance center, combining the traditional personalized service of an old style general store with the sophisticated services of the digital age. The website, www.postalnation.com, is the first on-line postal portal.
UniversalPost Network (UPN),) is an association created for the benefit of the private postal industry and the industry’s dedicated store owners. UniversalPost Network assists its member stores in delivering dependable, state-of-the-art services to its customers.
The organization is founded upon four principles of service:
commitment to quality; customer convenience; prompt, personal service; and expert assistance.
The Network represents retailers nationwide, which specialize in convenience business services such as shipping, copying, office supply, and digital services. These services most commonly include:
commercial mail receiving (CMRA); office products and supplies; packaging and shipping; copying, imaging, photo finishing, and digital services; concierge services; and the “Home Office Boutique”
which includes products for the home office such as equipment, presentation materials, gifts and décor.
Universal Express and Universal Cash Express recently introduced the Universal Express Platinum® stored value card. Through a strategic agreement with a leading provider of electronic prepaid products and services, the Express Platinum® Card, which can be used at over 1,000,000 ATMs worldwide, was added to the list of UniversalPost Network products. Express Platinum Card holders can purchase goods, services, and access cash all over the world.
UniversalPost Network can also offer flexible, customized, international delivery of time-sensitive documents, parcels, freight and mail. UniversalPost International Delivery provides express courier service and expedited air cargo using regularly scheduled commercial airlines.
Universal Express Courier Association, an organization for the independent courier, provides broader access to national accounts by utilizing UECA discounted rates with major carriers and cargo airlines. UECA members collectively have an interactive network to communicate and correspond on market trends, regulatory issues, and day-to-day operations. Additionally, the UECA customer service department pairs members with potential customers in their local area providing overall satisfaction and repeat business.
Another member of the Universal Express family, Luggage Express,
cooperates with multiple partners to facilitate luggage transport.
There is no branded, consumer-accepted commercial luggage transportation service anywhere else in America. Universal has over 8,000 no-cost warehouse locations (postal stores). The service includes luggage collection from home, hotel or business and delivery to consumer’s end destination. Acquisition of Virtual Bellhop and its proprietary VB Luggage Logistics Systems, will provide a smart alternative to an archaic and burdensome multi-step process of
transporting baggage from doorstep to destination and back again.
The Luggage Express Rewards Program – travel luggage hands-free and earn points toward Luggage Express Services – is coming soon.
An exciting, brand new subsidiary, MadPackers is an innovative service for preparatory students, college students, graduate students, parents and schools worldwide.
MadPackers is a “door to dorm” service designed to change the way students travel between home and school; alleviating headaches for parents, anxiety for students, and ending congestion on campus. With MadPackers, a student’s belongings are picked up at home and then sent to the designated school. The belongings will be waiting for the student inside the dorm room, allowing a smooth transition into college life without the stress and hassle of carrying boxes and bags. MadPackers, created by experienced logistical experts, is a long awaited solution for students, parents and schools everywhere.
Universal Express has recently expanded its core business by entering the financial services industry. Universal Express Capital, a full service, asset based transportation and equipment service, provides capital acquisition funding, in the form of lease financing, to the national business community as well as within the Universal Express family of affiliates and subsidiaries. Universal Express has also added a real estate subsidiary, USXP Realty Trust, Inc. “We continue to aggressively seek opportunities in the real estate market,” said Altomare.
Leasing is widely recognized as the intelligent choice for financing the purchase of income producing equipment for all industries.
Domestic growth of lease financing continues to be impressive.
Today, over 40 percent of financed purchases are facilitated with leasing capital as opposed to 20 percent just 10 years ago.
USXP Capital’s dedicated team of professionals has forged strategic alliances with various manufacturing firms within specifically identified markets. The industries they service include, but are not limited to; limousines, livery, small fleets, rental vehicles, local delivery vans/trucks, buses and aircraft.
LEAP (Luggage Express Associates Program) is a new franchise opportunity. A self-starting individual can obtain exclusive rights to sales (Luggage Express & MadPackers) within a specific geographic area (with a minimum of 1 million inhabitants), a Luggage Express van, local contacts, training and marketing support.
Universal Express, Inc aligned itself with Ford Motor Company to offer phenomenal deals on the acquisition of Ford, Mercury and Lincoln products. If you want a car, truck or van for your business, call the experts at Universal Express, who can supply vehicles to all fifty states at discounts well below dealer invoice, with full factory warranty, directly to your business door,.
Universal Express offers “thinking outside the box.” As well, “Thinking Outside of the Box” leads to diversity in the logistics and financial industry. The Universal Express vision–worldwide delivery of packages and luggage for consumers; the unification of a private postal system; transportation and equipment leasing options; and associations for our members are just the beginning of the World
world of Universal Express.
Universal Express, Inc.’s corporate
offices are located in Boca Raton, Florida. The company also maintains a Manhattan office.
For more information, please contact:
Tanisha Smith
212-239-2575
info@usxp.com
|
