Nicolas Saint-Pierre has over a decade of experience in revenue management, beginning his career at IAG Cargo as a route analyst. Since 2014, he has been with Etihad Airways, initially working in their cargo division before transitioning to passenger revenue management, where he spent five years. At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nicolas returned to the Cargo division. Currently, he leads the Cargo RM Systems and Processes team, focusing on continuously enhancing revenue management capabilities and refining the Cargo Management System to ensure an optimal user experience for customers.

What quote has most resonated with you?

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” This quote has helped me keep a positive attitude even when things get tough.

 What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is, “Better done than not.” As a perfectionist, I used to redo my work repeatedly until I was completely satisfied. This advice has helped me tone down this habit, enabling me to deliver more efficiently over the years.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is jumping out of an airplane – with a parachute, of course! A close second would be travelling around the Cebu and Bohol islands in the Philippines with my wife. We planned our trips on the spot, having no idea where we would be staying each night.

If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, I would choose Albert Einstein, assuming he’s available since he probably gets invited to these dinners a lot! I’d love to chat with him about his theories of relativity. I’d also invite Antoine de Saint-Exupéry to hear about his experiences as a pioneering aviator and writer, and Neil Armstrong to listen to his stories about his journey to the moon.

What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV?

I grew up on a farm, so I know my way around tractors, combine harvesters, and other farm equipment. 

What hobby have you always wanted to try but never got around to?

I’ve always wanted to try getting my private pilot licence so I can fly planes as well as fill them with cargo.

If you have not pursued a career in airfreight, what other field would you have liked to go into?

If I had not pursued a career in airfreight, I would have liked to go into finance, specifically for airlines. I wouldn’t want to step away from the industry completely. 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

If I could have any superpower, it would be teleportation. It would be incredibly useful on those days when I need to rush to work and don’t want to be stuck in traffic. 

What’s your proudest moment and your biggest regret?

My proudest moment is keeping both of my young kids alive and thriving – they are only a year and a half apart, so there are many days when they act like sworn enemies. As for regrets, there are a few, but I don’t dwell on them. I take them as lessons to be and do better the next time.

If there was a movie made about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role?

Matt Damon.

Looking back over your career, what would your message be to someone considering a career in logistics?

My message to someone considering a career in logistics is that it could be one of your best career decisions. In whichever role you choose within logistics, you have the opportunity to learn so much about all aspects of air cargo, including Sales, Revenue Management, Operations, and more. Plus, it’s a small, friendly community where the relationships you build can last for decades. 

How do you motivate your team?

How do I motivate my team? They are the ones motivating me! Joking aside, they know I always have their back, which allows them to push new ideas without fearing failure.

What is the one item you can’t travel without?

The one item I can’t travel without is my passport; without it, I can’t really go anywhere! 

Who is your role model?

Definitely my parents. They taught me that nothing comes if you don’t put in the effort.

What would your autobiography be called?

“The End?” because I hope I still have many more years and stories to live and tell.

Cats or dogs?

 Both – I’ve always had a dog, and cats seem to adopt me.

Early riser or night owl?

Night owl, definitely.

What’s the best and worst purchase you’ve ever made?

The best purchase I’ve ever made is my noise-cancelling earphones – they help me focus whether I’m working or exercising. The worst purchase would be my first motorcycle. 

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

My grandma’s chocolate mousse. 

What’s your most used emoji?

😆.