tree68I would opine that they're looking to be everything
Much like it's namesake river, everything that comes into contact with it is bent to it's will.
I would opine that they're looking to be everything from order taking front end to drop the package at your door delivery person.
I wouldn't be surprised if they discovered a weak link in there somewhere.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Amazon has to keep their main product (the actual site) on track, though.
Too many crappy third party sellers, prices always not the greatest, and shipping is not always quick. They just better not lose focus, or those trucks won't be good for much.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Amazon has a robust CDL training program and intend on moving as much traffic to their own fleet.
I would be more worried about regulation or forced divestiture than labor backlash.
The TRAINS Newswire of this date[02/05/2019] by Mike Landry, carries an article about Amazon and its inroads in the transportation industry.
Headlined as:"Amazon as a common carrier, just like railroads" 'New status enables retail giant to act like and compete with Wal-Mart and FedEx at the same time'
It details some of the more recent corporate moves by Amazon to move its packages via a number of modes. Specifically, mentions the 2013 Christmas Season, when apparently, UPS 'dropped the ball', and failed to deliver packages for Amazon before Cristmas.
Said SNAFU was the impetus for Amazon to move into the transportation/carrier modes for its packages, according to the article.
In part; the article states the following: FTA"...Since the 2013 stumble, the e-commerce giant has begun its own sorting operations, bought thousands of truck trailers, launched an Uber-like package delivery service, started grooming an airport to be a hub for the dozens of Boeing 767 aircraft it has leased, become a freight broker, and received licensing to be an ocean carrier..." “Since when does a retailer need an airport hub?” writes Itamar Zur, co-founder of delivery service Veho in Medium.com. Amazon’s move into logistics and transportation has not just been for itself. Starting in October 2017, Amazon used its Seller Flex warehouse and logistics services to displace FedEx and UPS in picking up packages from partner merchants’ warehouses for delivery to Amazon distribution centers.."
As someone who worked for a then, FedEx contractor, I worked through the August 1994 IBT Union strike against UPS (Known to us, as the "Brown Out"). It lasted some 15 or 16 days, and when over the Union had won several concessions for pay and benefits for its personnel from UPS.
Amazon seems to be getting itself into a similar situation with their employees, and the Unions(?). They have, according to some news articles, suffered spot labor problems, around the world; but nothing of any major consequences that would disrupt their delivery services on a larger scale.
My point is, the Amazon organization, in trying to get its fingers into so many areas of transportation, Amazon could be heading for a real comeupance with the unions, and their employees that operate within the various transportation modes, not only in this country, but overseas, as well? It will be interesting to see how it will play out for Amazon?
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