Pilot's New Home Delivery Service Caters to E-commerce Niche

Pilot started its new home delivery service with the e-commerce customer in mind. Since this last-mile residential product does not require a consignee signature or an appointment to complete a successful delivery, it often shortens the time from order to delivery. “We developed this service as a way to satisfy the consumer's desire to receive home deliveries in a much faster manner,” says Tom Drake, executive vice president, domestic/Canadian operations & traffic. These shipments are integrated right into a station’s daily routes rather than waiting in queue for an appointment. Tom points out that it is not meant for every e-commerce shipment—like high-value items—but several customers have already determined that it fits their shipment profile. For example, big box retailers and e-tailers have engaged this service option on items ranging from slides and deer fencing to appliance doors and utility carts. There's also a cost savings factor with Pilot's service. “Other carriers may classify these items as heavy/oversized and not conveyable, so these shipments would be subject to additional charges with them,” says Tom. 

Pilot's new service officially started in mid-April and deliveries have continued to increase as e-commerce companies have taken advantage of the offering.

Pilot Chooses Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation as National Philanthropy Partner

Pilot employees, vendors and partners wasted no time generously supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation when our company unveiled the new corporate charity at a recent national meeting. In just 36 hours, attendees pledged $50,000—more than six times the $8,000 goal that was set to fund one month of childhood cancer research. The enthusiasm continues across the Pilot network as local stations prepare for the upcoming Lemonade Days, the foundation’s nationwide event where supporters host a lemonade stand or an event. This year, Lemonade Days run from June 2-10, but in Pittsburgh, the team rallied early thanks to district manager, Joe Johnson, who made good on a promise to shave his head once his staff raised $500. “The way the Pilot team has responded to this cause is a great example of how our people commit to something with full excitement and drive,” says Amy DePaoli, director of marketing. Pilot carefully selected ALSF for several reasons, including its similarities to Pilot: it’s Philadelphia-based, has a nationwide presence and is staffed by passionate people. To date, ALSF has raised more than $150 million to fund more than 800 cutting-edge research projects at 135 institutions and develop programs to support families.

Pilot Tampa Valuable Partner to Girls on the Run

Congratulations to Girls on the Run Tampa Bay on its recent successful 5k. According to Laura Moore, executive director, the event was the "biggest, best and sparkliest yet!" More than 1,400 registered runners and 160 volunteers came together for the special day, and $7,000 was raised for the organization's scholarship fund. Pilot Tampa has been a supporter and sponsor of the non-profit program that works to encourage pre-teen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games, culminating in a celebratory 5k run. Katie Bulso, daughter of Kristi Bulso, terminal manager, and Danny Bulso, account executive, participates on the Apollo Beach Elementary GOTR team. "Thank you for being our incredible partner and making our 5k day one where our girls truly learned that the seemingly impossible IS possible!" says Laura.

Mother's Day Guaranteed Fresh by Pilot

Are you among the 86 percent of Americans who will celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13? If you are purchasing flowers in the Midwest, you might just have Pilot to thank for your fresh token of bloomed affection! By Thursday, May 10, the Pilot Chicago team will sort, tag and send more than 2,700 cases of mixed flowers and roses to 88 Midwest-based home improvement stores, where they will be sold at check-out displays. Pilot moves the product in plastic-lined boxes, where the flowers are packed in a bucket with one inch of water to ensure they stay as crisp as possible en route. Flowers will arrive at stores in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio via 2-day transits from Chicago. “Flowers are one of the top three gifts for Mother’s Day, and Pilot has a proven track record for timed perishable deliveries like this special occasion,” says Shannon Donahue, account executive. “Our teams understand the intricacies of handling delicate product and are well equipped to deliver fresh-to-store product like flowers.” According to a National Retail Federation survey, 2018 spending for this holiday is expected to reach $23.1 billion, with flowers sales predicted at $2.6 billion.

Pilot Safeguards Shippers Via Amber Road's On-Demand Export Service

In an effort to safeguard shippers, Pilot Freight Services has chosen Amber Road's Export On-Demand solution to automate the restricted party screening (RPS) process. This compliance solution enables international shippers to quickly screen customers, suppliers and other trading partners against over 590 lists from government institutions worldwide. Pilot executives say this product reduces risk by driving educated decision-making, increases efficienty and enhances the development of Pilot's global trade compliance program. Read more about Pilot's ability to protect its customers via Amber Road:

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