Does the Post Office have a contingency plan for when the mail will not be delivered due to Y2k issues? As a minimum efforts to reduce mail

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volume should be implemented so the USPS is not overwhelmed with a volume of mail that makes it impossible to move any of it. The first step would be to specifically authorize local postmasters to refuse to accept for mailing anything except packages and first class mail with the ban to be lifted when mail service is restored. The plan should not rely on orders from headquarters as there may not be communications to get the message through. This would get rid of the junk mail so the other mail would have a chance to get through.

-- Ed (Ed@bbb.gobmt), September 21, 1999

Answers

Ummm....I don't think the USPS can get rid of junk mail. They derive a HUGE amount of revenue from it. Unless Congress steps in and guarantees subsidies I don't see how they can survive without it...

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), September 21, 1999.


Another one of those y2k dominos. Can't deliver the volume, but have to have the volume to make ends meet. Anybody see "price increase" coming? Is there any other solution? (hint: increased subsidy is a price increase for those who actually pay taxes.)

-- Jim the Window Washer (Rational@man.com), September 21, 1999.

Didn't I read here last week that the Post Office was asking Congress for a tax (fee) on e-mail to subsidize mail operations?

-- mike (maples@voy.net), September 21, 1999.

* * * 19990921 Tuesday

Ed:

Does the Post Office have a contingency plan for when the mail will not be delivered due to Y2k issues == "The Postman" ( Starring Kevin Costner )

Rent it from Blockbuster and pay attention.

Regards, Bob Mangus

* * *

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus1@yahoo.com), September 21, 1999.


The e-mail tax thing was a hoax.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), September 22, 1999.


Well Ed, interesting question. I have one or two for you.

Why would the Postal Service ban bulk business mail, or junk mail as you call it, until the service is restored? If the service isn't in service, what's to ban?

If you are referring to 'reduced' service, then it stands to reason that bulk business mail customers would be aware of this and reduce their volume without being asked. [This would be to avoid costly delays. Some might even go belly up and thus reduce the volume without being asked.] After all, there would probably be a shortage of sales so no need for ads selling vcr's, luxury cars, or cruises.

If things got so bad that the Postal Service was the only way to send a letter or package, don't you think that the bulk business mailers would be affected and reduce or eliminate the mailings, or junk mail as you call it, on their own to reduce their own losses?

We ARE talking global here, right?

Consider the price of paper. Wouldn't the paper industry be affected as well? This may cause a reduction in mailings without any effort from the Postal Service. The rising cost of paper, and shortages, etc.

I hardly think it would be a necessary action on the part of the Postal Service to limit bulk business mailings. Y2k would most likely take care of that for them, if it is bad.

And by the way, did you know that the Postal Service still uses pack mules to deliver the mail in a few areas? If you need a job when TSHTF, stop by the Post Office. You WILL have to register, remember? Fill out an application while you're in line. ;-)

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), September 22, 1999.


Years ago I worked for the USPS in Texas, happened to be there over April 15th time...

For the week surrounding the 15th, we sorted ONLY first class mail, and ANYTHING on it's way to the IRS got processed, stamp or no stamp.

Yes! It's true! We Postalites were told to handle and deliver mail that did NOT have correct postage affixed. Only to the IRS, of course.

That was a million years ago, though, so I wouldn't skip the stamp. Course, that's all academic now, ain't it?

Wanna hear my story about the day I was assigned to package handling during the Christmas rush? Wanna guess how many points you got for each package that landed in the cart on the first throw? Remember the old American Tourister luggage commercials with the gorilla and the suitcase? (was it Samsonite?)

Bottom line: The PS will modify its deliver parameters in accordance with its available personnel and resources.

-- Arewyn (isitthatlate@lready.com), September 22, 1999.


Years ago I worked for the USPS in Texas, happened to be there over April 15th time...

For the week surrounding the 15th, we sorted ONLY first class mail, and ANYTHING on it's way to the IRS got processed, stamp or no stamp.

Yes! It's true! We Postalites were told to handle and deliver mail that did NOT have correct postage affixed. Only to the IRS, of course.

That was a million years ago, though, so I wouldn't skip the stamp. Course, that's all academic now, ain't it?

Wanna hear my story about the day I was assigned to package handling during the Christmas rush? Wanna guess how many points you got for each package that landed in the cart on the first throw? Remember the old American Tourister luggage commercials with the gorilla and the suitcase? (was it Samsonite?)

Bottom line: The PS will modify its delivery parameters in accordance with its available personnel and resources.

-- Arewyn (isitthatlate@lready.com), September 22, 1999.


Well Arewyn, they'd have to, wouldn't they? Kinda goes without saying.

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), September 22, 1999.

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