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Originally Posted by lupine
(Post 12888223)
He took the package, but it was brought back to me two days later by a different postal employee who brought it to my door, rang the bell, and handed it to me with a sticker on it that said that packages over 13 ounces must be handed to a postal employee at the counter or they can not be placed on a plane -- because they don't know who I am. (Despite ringing my bell and having me answer my door,... :confused:) http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NIPP_Plan.pdf |
Originally Posted by warning1369
(Post 12975443)
It will get even better. Just recently DHS designated TSA as the lead agency not only for transportation security but for postal and shipping. I don't think anyone at TSA has figured that out yet but I bet it could get entertaining once they did. It's all on the updated version of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) and no it is not SSI. Lucky page 13 of 188 is all you need to see.
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NIPP_Plan.pdf I'll get the popcorn. |
For domestic US mail, it has been my understanding that after 9/11 only standard first class letters with a low weight (i.e. 1 oz) can be transported on commercial passenger aircraft.
Everything else is either transported by ground or on cargo aircraft. USPS has a huge contract with FedEx and a smaller contact with UPS. For mail going overseas, I do believe this is where packages can actually be placed on commercial passenger aircraft. I believe such packages must be dropped off at the USPS counter and I think there are stricter rules (for international packages) about the application of self-postage. Not 100% sure on the latter. This was my understanding as of a few years ago. It is possible things may have changed but I do know a large percentage of PriorityMail packages and most Express (next day air USPS) is transported by FedEx cargo aircraft. I know both FedEx and UPS also contract some of their flying out to other cargo carriers, especially this time of year when they need the added capacity. Also contracted out is the "regional" flying with prop aircraft into the smaller markets and FWIW. I've also seen UPS contact with air carriers as well in "regional" markets (i.e. carriers like QX). I once met the UPS driver at a regional airport to get an urgent package that had been delayed -- This was pre 9/11, but I learned it was coming in on a Horizon Air flight from the local UPS office in a small city and met the UPS driver at baggage claim. Should have seen the look on his face, lol. It wouldn't surprise me if there have been other changes in what commercial aircraft can carry. I've been on mainline flights like AA DFW-LAX and have seen big sacks of DHL packages/letters come out on the baggage claim with a DHL employee pulling it off -- the sacks were labeled with air carrier routing tags like you see on luggage "AA XXX -> DFW / AA XXX -> LAX". I really question what types of cargo are placed on pax aircraft unscreened. Speaking aircraft, does the US Postal Service operate any aircraft these days? |
Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
(Post 12978767)
Speaking aircraft, does the US Postal Service operate any aircraft these days?
According wikipedia Airline and rail division The United States Postal Service does not directly own or operate any aircraft or trains. The mail and packages are flown on airlines with which the Postal Service has a contractual agreement. The contracts change periodically. Depending on the contract, aircraft may be painted with the USPS paint scheme.[citation needed] Contract airlines have included: Emery Worldwide, Ryan International Airlines, FedEx Express, Rhoades Aviation, American Airlines and Express One International. The Postal Service also contracts with Amtrak to carry some mail between certain cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The last air delivery route in the continental U.S., to residents in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, was scheduled to be ended in June 2009. The weekly bush plane route, contracted out to an air taxi company, had in its final year an annual cost of $46,000, or $2400/year per residence, over ten times the average cost of delivering mail to a residence in the United States.[14] This decision has been reversed by the U.S. Postmaster General.[61] |
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