[MR] Postal Service

[Dave Montuori]

Scripsit Isabeau:
> I have previously worked in shipping and have found the following to be 
> true:
> -Most mail traveling across the country is given priority and put on a 
>  plane that takes it quickly to the next hub.
> -Most mail that is shipped within a region is put in a truck that 
>  travels our wonderful overcrowded road system to the next hub.  
> -3rd class means 'sorted last' (other than parcel post).  Expect two or 
>  more days in Charlotte, a day for each trip in a truck, a day or two 
>  more for each hub it has to stop at while it is sorted again, a day to 
>  reach the local post office and another to reach you.  The middle of 
>  the month is about accurate unfortunately.
> -A letter going across the country will go from Charlotte (already a 
>  hub) to a plane and take a one day trip to the closest hub, get sorted 
>  (another day or two), spend one day on a truck to the local post office 
>  and get to the addressee the following day.  Add a little for third 
>  class and you still have a shorter trip.
> -The exception is mail that is local to the post office it was dropped 
>  at. Therefore, those who live in Charlotte will receive a timely Acorn.  
>  Anyone receiving a newsletter from a different Kingdom or from Society 
>  will most likely receive it in a somewhat timely manner.  Anyone else 
>  is going to get the short end of the stick shift.

None of this adequately explains why I *routinely* get THIRD CLASS 
newsletters mailed from Butler, PA (decidedly a non-hub) before I get my 
FIRST CLASS Acorn.

Evan