I Flew 7,854 Miles To Deliver This Package...

I didn’t expect to wake up in Warsaw and fall asleep in Palau. One call. One package. One mission.

What followed was the most spontaneous, and surreal, week of my life.

Watch the entire journey from Warsaw to Palau on our YouTube channel.

My Wild Week as an On-Board Courier (OBC)

You might be wondering—what the heck is an OBC?

What’s an On-Board Courier (OBC)?

Think of it as the James Bond of time-critical logistics.

You’re hand-carrying high-value or time-sensitive shipments—anything from urgent aerospace parts to life-saving medical supplies—across borders, on the next available commercial flight.

No customs delays. No missed transfers. Just you, a passport, and cargo that can’t wait.

Typical OBC deliveries:

• Aircraft-on-ground (AOG) parts

• Pharma or clinical trial samples

• High-value electronics (semiconductors, prototypes)

• Critical automotive components

Timeframes: Sometimes it’s same-day, often within 24-48 hours. You’re the fail-safe.

Meet OBC One & Jonathan Kolb

This time, my courier mission came from OBC One, an on-board courier company founded by Jonathan Kolb.

"I was imagining myself traveling the world, making money, and enjoying life," said Jonathan Kolb, Founder of OBC One. "A couple years later, I started my business and I was a professional onboard courier, doing up to 45 flights a month."

We had interviewed Jonathan earlier this year on our Friday live show Freight Gong Friday, and that one conversation turned into an unexpected gig.

On a Tuesday morning, I woke up at 6 AM to a call from Jonathan: a private jet in Palau was grounded and urgently needed aviation components.

“Paul, we’ve got an urgent OBC run. Package pickup in Frankfurt. Delivery to Palau. It’s yours if you want it.”

The Mission Begins: Warsaw to Palau

I packed my bags immediately and flew from Warsaw to Frankfurt. A driver handed me the cargo at the airport—pre-cleared, docs signed, BOL ready. I tossed in an AirTag for good measure and got some rest before my morning departure to Palau via Taipei.

I made the most of my evening in Frankfurt with a nostalgic dinner at Chipotle (fun fact: Frankfurt is one of just three cities in Europe with a Chipotle). I was back at the hotel by 9 PM and up again at 3 AM to head to the airport. As an OBC, you show up early, stay connected with the dispatch team, and ensure smooth customs clearance.

I arrived at 4 PM on Thursday and stayed until 6 PM Saturday. It was my first time in Micronesia, and the island didn’t disappoint. Palau uses the U.S. dollar, USPS handles its mail, and most international shipments come through Guam.

Pristine Paradise: 50 Hours in Palau

Palau calls itself the “Pristine Paradise,” and honestly, they’re not exaggerating. Crystal-clear waters, no trash, dense jungle, waterfalls—but what stood out most was the immigration pledge I had to sign promising to respect the island’s ecosystem. It’s a beautiful gesture that sets the tone for your entire stay.

Over the next two days, I explored with John, a retired police officer turned taxi driver who shared Palauan history, guided me to WWII sites, and introduced me to the island’s culture.

I never would’ve visited Palau if it weren’t for Jonathan and OBC One. Logistics is wild like that.

Brought To You By TAB

TAB-LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Artur Express Inc. Our asset-backed model allows our agents to explore opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable.   

At TAB, we provide agents with unmatched support, leading technology, staffing options, and unlimited potential to meet their financial goals and keep the wheels turning.

What we offer:

• 25-year-old asset-based logistics company with an A+ Credit Rating

• Aggressive splits up to 80%

• DAT/Truckstop/Onboarding/Tracking

• State-of-the-art comprehensive TMS

• Fast and efficient back-end support

And much, much more.

Taipei Layover, Japan Opportunity

At 10 PM Saturday, I landed in Taipei for a 24-hour layover. As soon as I turned on my phone, Jonathan called again:

“Paul, we’ve got another OBC — this one from Japan to Europe on Monday. We can reposition you. You in?”

I didn’t hesitate.

Eight hours later, I was in Osaka. It was March, prime cherry blossom season. I had 36 hours before the next mission began, so I made the most of it: walked the streets, devoured local cuisine, joined a tea ceremony, and took the Shinkansen (their fast train).

Back to Reality

I arrived back in Warsaw exactly one week after that first call. A spontaneous, global sprint—Warsaw to Frankfurt, Palau, Taipei, Osaka, and back.

The whole trip was spontaneous, surreal, and deeply energizing. It reminded me why logistics isn’t just about freight rates and lanes. Sometimes, it’s about a single package and one person getting it exactly where it needs to go.

And if you’re wondering—yes, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Brought To You By FleetWorks

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🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER

The FreightCaviar Podcast: This week, we sat down with David Bell, CEO & Founder of CloneOps.ai. Before launching CloneOps, David founded and sold both Smith-Cargo Transportation and Lean Solutions.

Catch the episode on YouTube or Spotify.

After months in the making, we've launched the FreightCaviar Forum, a space built for brokers, carriers, dispatchers, and freight tech to connect, share, and learn from one another. Sign up now here.

Central Asians Dominate. We visited CABXPO and met impressive carriers like Sultan Trans, UGL Holding, and more, showcasing the scale and deep community roots of Central Asian immigrants in U.S. trucking. Read about it here.

Freight Jobs. MAV, Inc. is seeking a Senior Freight Broker to join their team in a fully-remote position. Learn more about the role and apply here.

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