What to Gather Before Requesting O’Hare Airport Cargo Recovery

Current Cargo Location

Start with where the cargo is right now. Airport cargo recovery depends on whether the shipment is available, released, accessible, and ready for pickup.

• Airline cargo facility name
• Freight forwarder name
• Warehouse, terminal, dock, or airport-area facility name
• Pickup street address or facility location
• Pickup city and ZIP code
• Pickup contact name and phone number
• Pickup hours or appointment window
• Dock, counter, warehouse, cargo office, security, or check-in instructions
• Whether the cargo is physically available for pickup

Airline, Forwarder, Carrier, or Warehouse Details

If an airline, forwarder, carrier, warehouse, broker, customer, supplier, or consignee is involved, include the available details.

• Airline name
• Freight forwarder name
• Carrier name
• Warehouse or terminal name
• Consignee name
• Shipper name
• Broker or customer contact if applicable
• Pickup contact or cargo release contact
• Phone number and email if available
• Any pickup appointment or release instructions

Reference Numbers and Paperwork

Airport cargo pickup may require reference numbers or paperwork before the cargo can be released.

• Air waybill number
• House air waybill number
• Master air waybill number
• Tracking number, PRO number, or bill of lading number
• Order number, pickup number, or delivery appointment number
• Customer reference number
• Warehouse release number
• Packing slip, invoice, or release paperwork if required

Release Status and Pickup Authorization

Airport cargo recovery can stall if the cargo is not released or if the pickup location will not release it to a third party. Confirm release status before requesting service.

• Is the cargo released?
• Is the cargo available now?
• Is third-party pickup allowed?
• Is written authorization required?
• Is a release number required?
• Does the pickup location require an appointment?
• Does the pickup location require a specific ID, paperwork, or reference number?
• Are storage fees, terminal fees, release fees, or dock procedures involved?
• Who can approve pickup?
• Who should be contacted if there is a release issue?

Final Delivery Destination

The delivery destination determines timing, routing, equipment needs, proof-of-delivery requirements, and whether same-day delivery may be reviewed.

• Delivery business or recipient name
• Delivery street address, city, and ZIP code
• Delivery contact name and phone number
• Required delivery deadline
• Delivery appointment window, if any
• Receiving hours
• Dock, suite, office, front desk, warehouse, department, or jobsite notes
• Parking, gate, security, or building access notes

Cargo Description

Royal Courier will need to understand what is being recovered and delivered.

• Cargo description
• Number of pieces
• Approximate dimensions and weight
• Packaging type, such as envelope, box, carton, case, crate, skid, pallet, or loose item
• Whether cargo is fragile, high-value, urgent, business-critical, oversized, or difficult to replace
• Whether the cargo can be handled by one person
• Whether photos of the cargo or packaging are available
• Whether the shipment has special handling requirements

Vehicle and Equipment Needs

Airport cargo can range from small packages to palletized freight, crates, equipment, cartons, cases, and commercial goods. Vehicle and equipment needs should be reviewed before service is confirmed.

• Passenger vehicle, cargo van, box truck, or straight truck
• Liftgate truck
• Pallet jack
• Hand truck or dolly
• Dock-high access
• Forklift availability
• Inside delivery needs
• Two-person handling review

For heavy, palletized, crated, or dock-limited cargo, review Liftgate Delivery and the Liftgate Delivery Requirements Index.

Pickup Access and Cargo Facility Instructions

Airport cargo pickup may involve facility-specific rules. Include pickup access details clearly so the recovery request can be reviewed faster.

• Facility entrance or dock location
• Security, guard shack, or check-in instructions
• Cargo counter instructions
• Appointment requirements
• Dock door or warehouse instructions
• Loading method
• Forklift availability
• Whether the cargo is at ground level, dock level, warehouse rack, cargo office, or terminal area
• Whether waiting time may occur
• Who should be contacted if the shipment cannot be located

Timing and Delivery Deadline

Airport cargo recovery is often time-sensitive because the cargo has already arrived and the final destination is waiting.

• When the cargo becomes available
• Earliest pickup time
• Latest acceptable pickup time
• Required delivery deadline
• Whether the deadline is hard or flexible
• Whether the delivery is same-day, next-day, scheduled, or appointment-based
• Whether the delivery is tied to production, repair, medical office timing, customer appointment, jobsite timing, retail need, or facility hours
• Whether after-hours, weekend, early-morning, or urgent service is being requested

Documentation and Proof-of-Delivery

Airport cargo recovery may need clear proof because the shipment often involves multiple parties: airline, forwarder, consignee, shipper, warehouse, customer, and final recipient.

• Signature requirements
• Photo proof requirements
• Pickup confirmation requirements
• Delivery timestamp requirements
• Recipient name capture
• Condition notes at pickup or delivery
• Air waybill, packing slip, order number, work order, invoice, or BOL paperwork
• Paperwork return requirements
• Who should receive pickup updates
• Who should receive delivery completion updates

Special Handling and Access Notes

Include anything that may affect cargo pickup, transport, unloading, delivery, or completion.

• Fragile cargo notes
• High-value cargo notes
• Do-not-stack, do-not-tilt, or keep-upright instructions
• Weather or exposure concerns
• Temperature, timing, or handling concerns if applicable
• Packaging condition concerns
• Access restrictions
• Prior failed pickup, failed delivery, or carrier issue details