🎣 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.

Tuesday morning, I woke up at 6 AM to a phone call from Jonathan Kolb, the… | Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski | 16 comments

Tuesday morning, I woke up at 6 AM to a phone call from Jonathan Kolb, the founder of OBC ONE • On Board Courier Services + Handcarry. He told me they had an urgent shipment that needed to be picked up in Frankfurt and delivered to Palau – an island nation of 17,000 people near the Philippines. He said if I wanted the job, it was mine. How could I say no to a paid trip to Palau? I packed my bags immediately and caught a flight from Warsaw to Frankfurt. When I arrived in Frankfurt, a driver who had picked up the package earlier that morning dropped it off to me. I signed the docs and BOL, wrapped it up, and threw an AirTag inside since it was high-value cargo that needed to get there ASAP. By then, it was already Tuesday evening Central European Time, but my flight to Palau via Taipei didn’t depart until Wednesday morning. I decided to make the most of it and took an Uber into Frankfurt to eat at Chipotle for the first time in Europe. Fun fact: outside the US, Chipotle only has locations in Frankfurt, Paris, and London. I got back to my hotel around 9 PM and went to bed shortly after. I woke up at 3 AM, got ready, and headed to the airport. As an OBC, it’s crucial to arrive about four hours ahead of departure to make sure I can check in the package and clear customs smoothly while keeping the OBC ONE team updated with every step. Right now, I’m in Taipei, waiting for my next flight to Koror, Palau, where I’ll deliver the package. Once I’m there, I’ll have around 50 hours to film logistics content and learn more about how the island handles logistics. On my way back, I’ll have a 24-hour layover in Taipei – the perfect chance to film more content. My dad worked at EVA Air Cargo for over 20 years at O’Hare, and I used to fly here every year, but it’s been eight years since I was last here. What an incredible, unexpected journey. Less than 48 hours ago, I had no plans of being in Asia – and now I’m typing this from Taipei. Life is wild. If you’re curious about what OBCs are, we interviewed Jonathan back in January on Freight Gong Friday. Check the comments for the link to watch! | 16 comments on LinkedIn

LinkedInPaul-Bernard Jaroslawski

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

Last week was the most spontaneous, crazy week of my life... I woke up at… | Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski | 24 comments

Last week was the most spontaneous, crazy week of my life... I woke up at 6am last Tuesday to a call from Jonathan Kolb, Founder of OBC ONE • On Board Courier Services + Handcarry, asking if I could take an OBC (Onboard Courier) shipment to Palau, a small island nation east of the Philippines. A private jet had broken down and urgently needed aviation components. Next thing I knew, I was flying across the world. I landed in Palau at 4pm Thursday and stayed until 6pm Saturday. For 50 hours, I explored one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen: Palau, nicknamed the “Pristine Paradise.” No trash, crystal-clear waters, and strict environmental laws. One thing that really stood out — when you land, immigration makes you sign a pledge to treat the island with care and respect. I attached a photo of the pledge they had me sign — such a thoughtful idea. Palau has a fascinating history. Once part of the Spanish East Indies, it was sold to Germany in 1899, taken over by Japan after WWI, then occupied by the U.S. after WWII. It gained independence in 1994, but remains closely tied to the U.S. They use the U.S. dollar, USPS handles their mail, and most international shipments go through Guam. United Airlines also runs regular cargo flights to Guam and Manila. For two days, I explored the island with John, a retired police officer turned taxi driver. He showed me around and shared so much about Palauan history and culture. I never would’ve visited Palau if it weren’t for Jonathan Kolb. All thanks to our podcast interview back in January about the world of OBCs. Wild how one conversation can lead to something like this. But the week wasn’t over... At 10pm Saturday, I landed in Taipei for a 24-hour layover on my way to Warsaw. 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 had visited Japan in 2017 and had been dying to return, so of course I said yes. Eight hours later, I was on a flight to Osaka, Japan’s food capital. I had 36 hours to explore: walked the streets, ate incredible food, joined a tea ceremony, and even took the Shinkansen (bullet train). March is cherry blossom season — the perfect time to be there. I arrived back yesterday morning, exactly one week after that first call. What a week. Now it’s time to rest and catch up on work before I head to Guadalajara to visit Rapido Solutions Group and film a documentary on nearshoring in Mexico. Then I’ll be at the TIA Conference in San Antonio. Looking forward to connecting with everyone there. | 24 comments on LinkedIn

LinkedInPaul-Bernard Jaroslawski

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

FleetWorks is a AI agent for managing your carrier network.

Fred and Felice talk to carriers over phone, email, and text. They can:

• Vet carriers for fraud
• Share all the important details
• Negotiate to get the best rate
• Connect to your TMS

FleetWorks frees broker time to help your customers and carriers with their toughest problems.

🎣 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 Are Quietly Dominating U.S. Trucking 🇰🇿🇰🇬🇹🇯🇹🇲🇺🇿

Here’s a quick recap of an unexpectedly amazing forum spotlighting Central Asian trucking companies in the U.S. Plus, we met Strong Solo Sergey in real life.

FreightCaviarPaul-Bernard Jaroslawski

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 | Senior Freight Broker @ MAV Inc.

About the Company: At MAV Inc., we’re more than just a freight brokerage—we’re a sales-first…

Freight JobsFreight Jobs

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.

FREIGHT HUMOR