The USPS
- wadE
Since today is the last day that the post office will guarantee delivery before Christmas, Chelle
and I found ourself driving to the Airport Post Office at 8:30 last night.
We have a large portion of our families that we need to ship gifts to, and Chelle was good enough
to get everything in boxes and addressed so we could make that last minute run.
Predictably, the Post Office was packed. There were no more spots in the parking lot, and since
it's at the airport, there isn't any space for overflow parking or street parking. So we double parked
and we ran in to leave me in line with the boxes while Chelle waited for a space, or stayed double
parked until the Airport Police accused her of being a potential terrorist.
The line inside was just about backed up to the front door. But as I got into line I noticed a
postal employee helping a couple at this machine that looked like an ATM on steroids.
Turns out it was a new automated mailing machine. As long as you aren't mailing oversized,
registered, insured, or delivery confirmed packages, you can use it. Although it wasn't totally
clear you couldn't do those things, but the guy asked me if I needed any of that in that tone of
voice that implied it... and after looking at the line, I wisely answered, "no".
So five minutes later all my packages were properly stamped and put into a giant hamper, and ready
to go!
Fan-tastic! It's about time the USPS came into the 21st century.
Merry Christmas... er, I mean, Happy Holidays!
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