We are celebrating the people at our cargo stations across the states of Alaska and Hawai’i, and the communities they serve. For more stories in this series, check out our People of Cargo.
STATION SPOTLIGHT: Kodiak, Alaska (ADQ)
STATION FACT: Kodiak, located on the second largest island in the United States, is served by Alaska Air Cargo’s dedicated freighters twice a week and passenger planes every day. (The only U.S. island larger than Kodiak is Hawai’i Island, where daily cargo needs are served by both Hawaiian Air Cargo and Alaska Air Cargo.) Kodiak station details
TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Alfie, lead station agent, has worked with Alaska Airlines cargo teams for 15 years — all in Kodiak.
ALASKA LIFE FUN FACT: “The river is about a minute away, so a lot of days after I get off work, I go down and I limit out on my fish. I love fishing.” Alfie said, adding that sometimes he has to share the Buskin River. “I fish right next to the bears. As long as you don’t bother them, they won’t do anything. But they’re amazing.”
Kodiak is a small community used to thinking big.
The city of about 5,000 anchors the largest island within the biggest state in the country, and it’s home to both the largest U.S. Coast Guard base and one of the highest-volume commercial fishing ports in the U.S. Even some of the island’s most renowned residents are sized extra-large: Kodiak brown bears share the title of largest land-based predator with polar bears.
So, it follows that the shipping needs here are big, too.
Every year Alaska Air Cargo carries more than a million pounds of seafood out of Kodiak, bound for stores and diners’ plates across the lower 48. And every day our passenger planes and freighters bring in auto parts, produce and other supplies that the community counts on.
Alfie, a lead station agent, grew up in Kodiak and knows how much the community depends on his crew to expedite the freight coming in and shipping out. “I love being a part of a team,” said Alfie, who served eight years in the Air Force before taking a job at the airport. “It’s all about being a family and a team here in Kodiak. Cargo is definitely a lifeline for the community.”
On a June day when the sun didn’t set in Kodiak until after 11 p.m., Alfie took time out of a busy shift to share some of the ways Alaska Air Cargo shipments help his hometown thrive:
What’s the busiest time of year for the cargo team in Kodiak?
“Summertime is busiest, but all the way to the end of November is pretty busy for us. We have the fishing season in the summer and then we go over to our hunting season.”
What does your team focus on when handling perishable cargo like seafood?
“We always have a timeline with perishables and sensitive items. Usually, from Kodiak to the final destination in the lower 48, it gets there in less than a day.”
“I think it’s cool that we get that fish out of here as soon as possible so they can get on people’s plates down south.” — Alfie
What are some of the seafood products you are moving?
“Right now, we’re shipping out lots of halibut, and we’re starting to get salmon that’s going out fresh. The fish that we send from the processors are fresh orders going to the lower 48, but we also get a lot of personal shipments from customers sending fish out to their family members — all kinds of fish, like cod, and crab.”
What are some of the most unusual shipments you’ve seen in Kodiak?
“We ship live animals. We’ll get chicks coming in during the summertime — baby chicks for people to raise. We’ve sent out a little bear cub. We’ve sent out seals. Most of the animals that get shipped out of here are injured … We get a lot of eagles, and it’s just awesome to see an eagle really close.”
What are some other shipments that are important for the local economy?
“We get a lot of stuff coming in for contractors working on buildings. Right now, we have a big project going on at our airport. Our ramp is getting repaved and some of the equipment and parts they need come through cargo. … We also support the Coast Guard base, shipping some of their stuff to their family members. And we send some of their parts to other locations within the state, like Ketchikan (KTN) and Sitka (SIT).”
What’s one of the most sensitive shipments your team regularly handles?
“We have a lot of human remains going out. We try to give the utmost respect for anybody who flies out of here. I’m an Air Force veteran and so it’s really important for me, too. Last year we had a gentleman who was in the Guard, and he was being returned back home. And all his unit came. We brought him out to the ramp, and they gave their salutes, and they escorted him out. There were about 100 folks out there watching. It was a sad moment, but it was nice to see his brothers in arms there.”
In addition to serving Kodiak’s air freight and travel needs, how does Alaska Airlines contribute to the community?
“I’m a part-time high school basketball coach, and Alaska Airlines donates tickets every year for the high school so they can make money to travel. We’re a small town, and we have to fly a lot, especially for basketball.”
What does it mean to you to be a part of a team that helps your hometown get the shipments they need?
“I was born and raised here. I know a lot of the people, the customers. I like helping them out. It’s rewarding getting their cargo in or getting it out to their final destination. … We’re really a diverse community and a lot of the community appreciates what we do. And we appreciate them for everything they do for us.”
