News & Events at AIT

Have you ever wondered how the USA Bobsled teams' equipment is transported from country to country? The time sensitive delivery of this equipment mandates strategic planning, accurate scheduling, and international freight experience. Simply stated, if the women's and men's equipment and bobsleds aren't delivered on time, the athletes can't compete.

Headquartered in Chicago, AIT Worldwide Logistics, Official Cargo Carrier of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, became a sponsor during the start of the 2000-2001 season. As part of the sponsorship, AIT successfully transports the bobsleds all around the world, as well as across North America.

A challenge that AIT, one of the largest expedited carriers in the United States, recognized during the first year of their sponsorship was preparing the documentation for custom clearance. AIT had handled the custom clearance process in the past many times prior to the sponsorship, but never for this type of commodity — the bobsled. Having established key carrier relationships by offering reliable transit times and space allocations, AIT maintains high levels of communication with overseas agents, which eases shipping capabilities.

A bobsled, shipped within a container, weighs over 900 pounds. Throughout the sponsorship, AIT continuously arranged a shipping plan for seven of the men's containers and three of the women's containers during the competitions. Moving the athletes' equipment without causing damage is difficult enough, but doing it on a tight time schedule further complicates each shipment. AIT can engineer a seamless delivery route from point-of-origin to point-of-destination, anywhere in the world, making this unfamiliar commodity — the bobsled — an uncomplicated shipping procedure.

AIT continued its sponsorship of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF), through the 2001-2002 season that lead up to the Olympic games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Because of the logistical operations, AIT assisted several other countries by extending the understanding of the freight industry to the sport of bobsled. The process of shipping bobsleds now extended to New Zealand, Switzerland, Armenia, Greece, Ireland, Hungary, Monaco, Latvia, Mexico and Brazil. At this point, the commodity was no longer an issue for AIT's International Support Group.

AIT adopted a documentation known as a carnet to help expedite most moves within the U.S., Canada, and Europe. A carnet, valid for a year, is a customs document permitting the cargo to cross boarders without hold up in customs for cargo questioning. The carnet document made customs procedures trouble free with a reduction in transportation costs.

A vast network of relationships extends beyond AIT's domestic offices. World-class service is provided to 190 service centers in fifty countries on six continents. Building strategic partnerships with international agents makes the complexity of any shipment, any size, any weight to anywhere in the world, possible for AIT.

AIT also sponsors the athletes of the U.S. skeleton sport. The face-first adrenalin sport of skeleton made its first ever appearance this past February as the athletes reached top speeds of over 80 mph just inches off the ice.

Skeleton sleds, much smaller than bobsleds, are easily transported in a car or an airplane as luggage and rarely enter into the freight-forwarding world. In the past, the skeleton athletes had difficulties transporting their sleds throughout the domestic and international countries because their sleds had to be broken down into multiple parts in order to travel. AIT eased this time-consuming process by utilizing its resources to develop a customized case. The durable skeleton case allowed the sled to maintain its one-piece structure with plenty of space for extra tools and runners while preventing pilferage or damage.

Transporting the bobsleds internationally, AIT uses cargo aircraft planes when available. However, with the tragic events of 9-11, AIT was faced with new procedures for cargo on passenger planes. Slower shipping and heightened inspection forced AIT to reevaluate their transportation plan. Successfully dealing with newly implemented FAA regulations, facing extended lockouts and stricter security measures, AIT accepted the challenge of the restrictions.

As the excitement of the 2002 Olympic games grew near, qualifying competitions took place in different parts of the world on separate tracks. AIT arranged for ground transportation via use of flatbeds immediately following each competition's conclusion. With only a couple of days to cross the country, teams of drivers were used to meet the narrow timeline of events.

Making all necessary deadlines without delay, the bobsleds safely arrived into the Olympic Village without a hitch! The athletes competed with great pride, representing their countries on American soil. The USBSF athletes competed against the world taking home three gold, two silvers and one bronze medal during the Winter Games.

Through the eyes of Olympic athletes, it is their equipment that is the most important element during competitions. The athletes' dedication to their sport is the same dedication that AIT services to its customer base everyday. The USA bobsled and skeleton teams relied on AIT to become a factor of their success. Contributing to a winning team is nothing new to AIT. Solving freight forwarding problems for companies everyday makes AIT the best in the business.

Since 1979, it has been the goal of AIT to be there for you and your shipments while maintaining its standing as a major transportation provider. As AIT expands its horizons, it operates with every intention to provide its customers with the best service and most cost-effective shipping solutions. By continuously enhancing state-of-the-art technology, employing an all-star team of people, and delivering value to its customers, AIT will continue to make a lasting impression.