Thanks, Rehd. I knew there had to be a good explanation. And I wouldn't have asked the tongue-in-cheek question if I didn't think you were perfectly gruntled. You're a good sport.

Ross

> To Answer Your question first Ross, when you pay for parcel post, it is
> basically a ground service, and if it goes by aircraft, it only does so
> after all other classes of mail are taken care of. It is a low priority,
> and can even get bumped off of flights if something else of higher
> priority comes on board halfway to it's destination. The Postal service
> once had a fleet of airplanes, just like UPS and lost them to cost cutting
> about 12 to 15 years ago or more. We use commercial airlines and freight
> now. So, we compete with everyone else for space. That is also why our
> 2-day priority is no longer guaranteed for two days. An airline can simply
> leave something off, if they sell the space to a higher bidder.

> And Spidey, UPS does not have a lock on the Gorilla types. We also have
> our share. There are those in every workforce who delite in trying to see
> just how much mischief they can get into, for the fun of it. They are few
> and far between, but, it only takes one to put a smudge on the whole
> system. Since the postal service is soooo visible, it is easier to blame
> them for everything that goes wrong, ie: the HF situation. We do our best
> and there are a lot of terrific folks in our business who bust their
> butts, but, one slip up and all that is for not. As for us and UPS, they
> handle about 150 to 200 packages a day per driver, and have someone else
> load their vehicles for them. We sort, case and deliver on the average of
> 2,500 to 4,ooo pcs of mail and around 20 to 40 packages a day per carrier.
> They get about $5.00 an hour more than we do, and charge about that much
> more also. But, they maintain their own fleet of aircraft, and so don't
> have to worry about getting anything on it's way on time.

> I could find out where you lived a lot easier by asking my brother "
> a Hacker " to locate you by computer, but, fortunately, I'm, as I
> mentioned,a Perfectly Gruntled postal employee. That, and my guns are all
> for show, and I'm a God-Fearing, Born-Again Christian. Have a nice day.
> {;o) I have enjoyed your posts and watching you grow ( craftwise ). Keep
> up the great work. Hel.......Heck, I even like Ole George and Our friend
> Don, who has a good point, but, lacks a little tact in presentation.

> Enough of the Off Topic Posts for tonight. C-Ya

> Rehd