Rules & Regs
9-1-1 Air Charter (a dba of 911 Air Cargo, Inc.) is certified by the Transportation Security Administration as an Indirect Air Carrier. We are not an airline or ground carrier. We operate under Department of Transportation rules 14 CFR Parts 296 and 297. We arrange the non-scheduled transportation of cargo (NAICS code 481212) and passengers (NAICS code 481211). Our SCAC code is NOOA.
Always carefully read your air charter agreement terms and conditions. This is similar to an airwaybill or any other transportation contract. Besides the specifics for that particular shipment, here are some points commonly found in all 9-1-1 agreements:
- Accurate cargo reporting. We cannot over-stress the value of accurate dimensions, weights, identification, and documentation. It is really expensive for you to position an aircraft that cannot carry your freight because it is one inch larger than you reported, and you can cost lives by mis-reporting weight or hazmat.
- Damages. We have a spectacular on-time record and we use the fastest method of transportation known to mankind. Sometimes there is bad weather or other delay. Our backup plans help us to recover quickly, but we don’t cover consequential or inconsequential damages if you had a plant shutdown or penalty.
- Excluded Costs. We always prefer to bid complete solutions, with all costs included. Two fees that nobody includes are wait time (caused by not having freight ready on time) and de-icing (caused by weather conditions). You agree in advance to pay these costs should they be incurred.
- Demurrage (see Wait Time). We can save you a lot of money when you give us the unpadded availability times and deadlines.
- De-Icing. Usually charged by the gallon and type of liquid used to de-ice the aircraft. We can warn you of risk, but cannot guarantee cost in advance.
- Backup Aircraft. Should an aircraft become unavailable after you attempt to book it, we will offer you the next best available option. This is not bait-and-switch: it is first come, first served so the aircraft may get booked by someone else. If an aircraft goes mechanical (breaks down) en route, we’ll offer you the next best available option. If the original carrier transported your freight part-way before going mechanical, they will expect payment for the partial service. The rescue aircraft may be cheaper or more expensive than the original option. You are given the option to book it, stop, or switch to another solution.
We encourage new Customers to establish an account with approved credit terms before you need an air charter from 9-1-1. Alternatively, new Customers may pay in advance for your first charter.
To avoid this inconvenience and possible delay, just complete our new account forms:
We will assign you an initial credit limit and credit terms based on our research. As our relationship progresses, we would be happy to negotiate limit and terms based on your needs and payment timeliness. Like our Vendors (who really enjoy our prompt payments) we are an air charter company, rather than a bank. So we dislike having to charge interest or collect overdue (or over limit) payments. We prefer to receive payment the same way you prefer to receive your deliveries – on time!
When we arrange an air charter for you, you are legally protected by that airline’s insurance as a third-party insured. This provides you with financial protection if your cargo is damaged, or if your cargo causes damage, or the aircraft carrying your cargo causes damage. Airlines are required to maintain minimum levels of insurance as set by law and by international convention. You may receive a copy of the airline’s insurance at any time.
On top of the airline’s insurance, 9-1-1 maintains additional insurance to protect you. Our cargo liability insurance is $1 million, and our aircraft liability is $1 million. View or download our current policy here. You may also choose to buy additional cargo insurance on any shipment.
Since 1999, we’ve only had 2 claims (both for improperly packaged/secured freight). With the critical, can’t miss nature of air charters, we and our Vendors go the extra mile to ensure your cargo is protected. And the insurance adds to your peace of mind.
Sometimes a delay really is nobody’s fault, at least nobody who can be held liable. Bad weather, strikes or civil unrest, acts of terrorism, and the acts/inactions of government officials are some examples.
You may be surprised to learn mechanicals are included in all airline force majeure exclusions. An airline would never have a good reason to break their aircraft on purpose – in fact, the FAA is very demanding in requiring spotless maintenance to maintain airworthiness certificates and permission to fly. When an aircraft does “go mechanical” everyone loses time and money. We avoid using airlines who are challenged in this area, and we are always working on backup plans for when the unexpected happens. Usually, we are able to offer you options (wait for repair, hire another aircraft to rescue shipment, or cancel shipment).
If your delivery is delayed by a force majeure cause, you must still pay for the charter and bear any financial loss of the delay. (Neither 9-1-1 nor any carrier charges you enough to insure against inconsequential damages. But we are extremely skilled at mitigating the risk of delays and minimizing their length – as evidenced by our very happy just-in-time manufacturing Customers.)
Airlines and ground carriers strongly discourage keeping their aircraft and trucks idle, waiting on delayed freight. When you position an aircraft or truck at a certain time and fail to have the freight ready, they compensate by charging you demurrage (after the first free hour) – commonly known as wait time. Your contract will state the actual wait time per hour rate for that particular shipment.
If you tend to “pad” or “cushion” ready times or deadlines too much, wait time fees could really cost you.
Example: Let’s say you charter an aircraft for $5000, with wait time of $1000 per hour. If you position the aircraft 5 hours before you actually get the freight ready, you could wind up paying as much for wait time as for the charter itself.
To help you avoid wait time fees, we work closely with you and your shippers and consignees to estimate ready and deadline times as accurately as possible.
International flights are more complex than domestic flights in that they require a lot more documentation and careful sequencing of the process. Customs regulations (both U.S. and foreign) are obviously key to successful international shipments. 9-1-1 is not a Customs broker, and cannot provide legal advice on the subject. See your Customs broker and relevant government websites/publications for the latest rules.
9-1-1 works closely with your Customs brokers on each end for your convenience.
Exporting from USA
- Email 9-1-1 your documents (commercial invoice, packing list, etc.). We’ll obtain the carrier’s manifest if necessary.
- 9-1-1 can electronically file your outbound shipment with Customs through our link to the AES. This replaces the old paper Shippers Export Declarations. This filing is only required if your shipment is valued at $2500 or more on your commercial invoice.
- Upon arrival, your local Customs broker usually takes over the freight, including (very often) delivery trucking.
Importing to USA
- Email 9-1-1 your documents (commercial invoice, packing list, etc.). We’ll obtain the carrier’s manifest if necessary.
- Your local outbound Customs broker will need to have followed that nation’s rules in filing for export by air charter. They usually need tail number and pilot’s name.
- We’ll provide your documents to the airline, which will create and file an airwaybill.
- We will provide the airline’s tail number, airwaybill number, and flight number to your inbound Customs broker.
- Your Customs broker will provide us and the airline with the AMS entry number.
- THEN, and only then, the aircraft can depart from the foreign airport towards the USA destination.
- Upon arrival in the USA airport for Customs, the freight will be handled by Customs, usually without your broker present. Always best to have broker on standby
All cargo has rules for its transportation, but some require considerably more documentation and special handling. Hazardous materials (also called dangerous goods), live animals, and perishables are among the types of freight that are more complex than most.
9-1-1 maintains certified HazMat specialists on staff, and we’re experienced flying everything from hand grenades to live dolphins to cookie dough. We work diligently to stay current on all special cargo rules for your convenience. However, since you are ultimately liable for anything you ship, always check the latest regulations via your legal team and governmental websites/publications. Some good examples:
HazMat: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dangerous_goods/index.htm
Live Animals: http://www.iata.org/ps/publications/lar.htm
Perishables: http://www.iata.org/ps/publications/9526.htm
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