by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 8, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
All,
I’ve got to say that even though this is kind of our own backyard, this tour was far more interesting and enjoyable than I expected. Probably should not have been so surprised by that, I guess.
It was about an hour and a half ride from the Port of Cleveland to New Hope and Berlin, Ohio. Much like Pennsylvania (and even New York, believe it or not), Ohio is largely a very rural state, with most of the land being forests and farms and fields, with a few cities. Pennsylvania (Penn’s Woods) was a place that welcomed all people/all religions. That freedom is what drew the Amish (Pennsylvania Dutch) from Europe. From there, the land just kind of extended into Ohio, so these states have the two largest Amish/Mennonite communities in America.
But while seeming very familiar to areas south of Erie, I must say that the economy here is much more thriving and seemingly wealthier than in Western PA. Not sure why, but there is a vibrancy and more beautiful homes that you don’t generally find in the Amish communities in our neck of the woods.
One thing too, is while there are still lots of horses and buggies as a way to get around, there are a lot more e-bikes here. Amish men, and Amish women scooting along the roads at a pretty fast clip. That may also be happening in PA, but I have not seen that much of it.
Anyway, it was a nice visit to a beautiful part of the country. We had lunch at the Dutch Village which was delicious. Family-style with huge portions of chicken and gravy, ham, roast beef, (real) mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, rolls, and an incredible assortment of homemade pies. Just what we all needed after having stuffed ourselves on the ship for the past 10 days hahahahaha.
On to Niagara Falls next. Another great place (right in our own backyard).
Pretty cool that while we won’t be able to see it, our Viking ship will pass right by our house sometime tonight 🤪
As you can see (for those of you who know Erie) the land looks very familiar
The Amish still use horses and buggies, and all the businesses, shops, and restaurants around here have hitching posts.
But lots of them now ride e-bikes to get around, and some even drive golf carts like this one
Can you tell why I felt at home here 😉
Kids on break at school. Amish children go to private school in one room school houses. From 1st grade to 8th grade, and that’s enough learning. Time to go to work full-time after that. Kids were clearly enjoying this summer weather that is lasting into October.
Passed this exit heading back to the boat. SO close to home. Enjoying this trip but also looking forward to be back in Erie in a week.
Onward!
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 7, 2024 | News
Logistics Plus Customs Brokerage Manager Gretchen Blough appeared on NPR’s 9/25/24 and 10/4/24 editions of Marketplace to comment on how the East and Gulf Coast port strike would affect the economy. Gretchen described the bottlenecks caused by a strike, congestion fee charges, and alternate cargo options. Upon the strike’s conclusion, Gretchen reappeared on Marketplace to discuss the lasting implications and what would come next.
Listen to her comments before the strike at https://www.marketplace.org/2024/09/25/looming-port-strike-could-slam-a-fragile-system-says-customs-broker/ or by clicking below.
Listen to her comments upon conclusion of the strike at https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace/dont-be-like-boeing/ or by clicking below. In this segment, Gretchen appears at the 11:54 mark of the episode.
Marketplace® is a nonprofit news organization on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country. For more than 30 years, they have helped people become smarter about the economic forces that touch their daily lives through the unorthodox story, the casual conversation, and the unexpected angle on the news.
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 7, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
All,
Yesterday, we visited Detroit, Michigan. Motor City. Motown. (And the home of Scott Frederick’s beloved Lions 😉).
Went to the Henry Ford museum. Lots of amazing stuff — the innovations of the past and possibly the future. It was a nice day and (though not a museum guy) a cool museum.
You know how I’ve said this trip has been interesting, though very “familiar.” Well, now it gets even more so. Today we are in Cleveland, which is just an hour and a half from Erie. We come here fairly often.
We’re going to take a tour of Amish country. 1. Because although Hallie is not Amish, she is “Amishish,” having grown up on a dirt road in rural Union City, PA named after her family with the few houses on the road all family members, and 2. Believe it or not, the Amish community they are taking us to is called Berlin, Ohio. So…had to do this. Tour had our name on it 😉 Will let you know.
Also, they gave these out yesterday, which is a cool momento to have, but it seems a bit premature to me since we have not gotten to Lake Ontario (Toronto) quite yet. I bet there must be some old sailor quote similar to “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” I just hope it doesn’t jinx the cruise to celebrate this feat too soon 🤪.
Onward! -JB
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 4, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Logistics Plus (LP) Aero team is pleased to join other Logistics Plus offices in obtaining its IATA Cargo Accounts Settlement Systems (CASS) number for simplified billing and settling of accounts with scheduled airlines. CASS yields a two-fold solution as it replaces airlines’ traditional paper-based invoicing and also agents’ manual control of those invoices.
Andriy Blagovisniy, Global Director of Air Chartering for LP Aero, commented on the significance. “Getting an IATA CASS number gives our team access to faster and more efficient scheduled airline solutions. We now have improved access to many cargo carriers conducting export flights in the UK. By combining this access with our air charter capabilities, we can offer our customers solutions ranging from small packages to the most complex project cargo pieces.” Andriy added, “As a part of Logistics Plus, we continue to offer worldwide door-to-door solutions by air, sea, road, and rail.”
About IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 330 airlines over 80% of global air traffic. IATA supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.
To learn more about Logistics Plus Air Charter solutions, please visit logisticsplus.com/lpaero. You can contact the team by emailing aero@logisticsplus.com.
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 4, 2024 | Global Logistics Alerts
10/4/24 Update: Port Workers Agree to End East & Gulf Coast Strike
US dock workers and port operators reached a tentative deal that will immediately end a crippling three-day strike that has shut down shipping on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, the two sides said Thursday. The tentative agreement is for a wage hike of around 62% over six years, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, including a worker on the picket line who heard the announcement. That would raise average wages to about $63 an hour from $39 an hour over the life of the contract.
Logistics Plus still expects delays and congestion due to the three-day shutdown. Please remain patient as our team works to mitigate delays and charges.
JP Morgan analysts have said the strike would cost the U.S. economy around $5 billion daily. The strike affected 36 ports – including New York, Baltimore and Houston – that handle a range of containerized goods. Economists have said the port closures would not initially raise consumer prices because companies had accelerated shipments in recent months of key goods. However, a prolonged stoppage would have eventually filtered through, with food prices likely to react first, according to Morgan Stanley economists.
For more information, please visit https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ship-queue-grows-us-ports-dockworker-strike-enters-third-day-2024-10-03/
