Movers

[c130 alm]

I have to be careful what I say here but a Mover is a member of the RAF Movements Trade. They Load the aircraft and build loads and plan loads. Amongst otherthings.

[CR2]

Ah, thanks for that. Can't quite figure out why you'd have 2 "trades" to do the same thing. I mean in civvy world, I'll do following.

-A few hours before departure, will show up at the airport and inspect the load. See if there is anything that needs any special attention.
-Plan the load, write my loadsheet (usually can't be bothered to lug the laptop around)
-Give loadplan to handling agent, ask if they are capable of loading my a/c type (they always say yes, even if they've never seen the type before).
-Go out to aircraft and supervise loading. Often take over myself when I realise they're going to break something.
-Usual checks, see to it that any required tie-down is done.

Take off, & sack out (or have a cig )

Apart from the pallet building, rest seems the same?

[c130 alm]

I suppose it does sound similar. But the movers also build all the loads on the ground and plan the loads because often we arrive in the middle of the night to an airfield that isnt exactly ideal and do a rapid engines running offload and onload of pallets and then b*gger off. The Loadie just wouldnt have time to plan the load. In these circumstances I try to help out the movers where I can and have the final check before we get airborne.

The Movers also deal with all the processing of freight, both outbound and inbound.

(by the way this wasnt supposed to be a new thread but a reply to the last on the Loadmasters forum. I started a new topic in error. I dont want to start another slanging match between the 2 trades. It was supposed to be just to answer CR2`s question)

[CR2]

Thanks for your time & effort for the explanations c130 alm. We don't get involved in the freight processing either. So it seems a "mover" is the equivalent of a handling agent.

[TAC Queen]

CR2
Yes Movers are like a handling agent. The trade is a lot of civilian jobs rolled into one. A mover is trained in the movement of passengers and freight by road, rail, air, sea and even inland waterways as I remember.
Manifesting, customs regulations (imports and exports) DAC packing and clearance through military and IATA regulations. General freight (packing and shipping). Passenger Handling. Loading, driving the loading vehicles and finally the completion of the aircraft trim and all associated paper work. This is what a movements controller is qualified to do after about 2 years.
As people progress up the rank structure they qualify in other areas, which I don’t have, time to go into.
A good job with some good people.

All spelling mistakes are because I can’t spell.

[acmi48]

based on the job description CR2 you are hugely underworked
and underqualified

i am impressed if this current modus operandi of the military
teach the civvies a thing or 2

[CR2]

acmi48, sod off. Your round at the pub later.