Postal Service mulls dropping Saturday delivery ............

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

So, if it's only the local service, why not cut down to 4 days a week?  As long as the planes and trucks are still moving, I think we'd be OK.

Five days actually makes a lot of sense. 

Businesses want to be able to send and receive on all business days. 

Postal employees typically have a route they work 5 days a week.  Plus there is one employee (sub) who work 5 different routes on 5 different days.  Basically this will get rid of the subs and have all the delivery guys (except for filling in for vacations and sick days) having one route they work 5 days a week.  What are you going to do with the employees on the 5th day.  Or are you figuring on making them 32 hour a week employees? 

Many of their best customers have things timed to come out on a specific day or m-f.  Magaizines, ads, newspapers such as the wall street journal.   

Going from 6 to 5 is gonna get resistance.....going from 6 to 4 would get even more resistance. 

[Phishfan]

This has been a talking point for some time. I wish they would go ahead and do it. I have not heard anyone complain and most people say it would make sense.

[Dave Gray]

I'm not promoting going to 4 days.  I'm just saying that they could cut it down even more and it wouldn't bother me.

[Philly Fin Fan]

Not doing home delivery on wed or thursday would be much better.

I read an article several months back which said they were considering dropping either Saturday or Tuesday, since those days had the lightest delivery (for whatever reason). I guess they opted for Saturday.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I read an article several months back which said they were considering dropping either Saturday or Tuesday, since those days had the lightest delivery (for whatever reason). I guess they opted for Saturday.

Saturday make more sense from an employee perspective.  I bet they get more sick calls and vacation requests for Sat than any other day, as folks want to go to family get togethers, weddings, and all the other normal weekend stuff. 

[Defense54]

I'm not promoting going to 4 days.  I'm just saying that they could cut it down even more and it wouldn't bother me.

How about the Thousands of employees who are going to get laid off? Does anyone here think about anyone else but themselves? Technology is downsizing so many jobs nowadays.  Its troublesome to me.

[Phishfan]

How about the Thousands of employees who are going to get laid off? Does anyone here think about anyone else but themselves? Technology is downsizing so many jobs nowadays.  Its troublesome to me.

The last time I walked into my local post office there looked to be several there that should have been ready for a mandatory retirement anyway.

[Defense54]

The last time I walked into my local post office there looked to be several there that should have been ready for a mandatory retirement anyway.

Hey.....anyway you look at it , thats Thousands of more people that will now be getting unemployment from the goverment instead of providing a service. Thousands who will cease to put money back into the system. the United States Postal service , the greatest country on earth who sends billions of aid here and there , can't even provide a simple service anymore. More and more Jobs being eliminated and very few being created. just take a second from thinking how it effects you and look at the big picture. its troublesome.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Hey.....anyway you look at it , thats Thousands of more people that will now be getting unemployment from the goverment instead of providing a service. Thousands who will cease to put money back into the system. the United States Postal service , the greatest country on earth who sends billions of aid here and there , can't even provide a simple service anymore. More and more Jobs being eliminated and very few being created. just take a second from thinking how it effects you and look at the big picture. its troublesome.

Telegraph operators got laid off.  The guys working at the buggy whip factory were downsized.  The wagon wheel repairshop has been shut down.  The pony express division of the post office no longer exists.  The inkwell salesman can't make any sales.

While the issue of unemployment as a national issue is a problem.  I don't see the point in continuing to retain an unnecessary costly service solely as a make work project.   

[Dave Gray]

I agree with Hoodie.  I think it's healthier to let outdated positions die and put that money towards retraining or interim support.  At least you're not band-aiding the problem.

The fact is that snail mail is much less important to the lives of citizens than it was 15 years ago.  But I feel that the industry hasn't caught up.

[bsfins]

I think Hoodie makes a great point,I see it this way....

I see part of the problemof the postal service being,Postal workers are like union auto workers that build cars.The people in the jobs tend to be lifers,and make Too much money for menial type work...My Aunt,Liifer Postal worker, Dumber than a box of hair.Made made way too much for what she did, and continually made more,and more doing the same thing....

[Defense54]

Hoodie does make a good point. (did I just say that?  ) But those telegraph operators and buggy Whip people had new Jobs and far less competition awaiting them.  The last great depression saw this countries greatest growth after each World war. American Industries thrived.  Do you really see that type of American industry in the future? Jobs are being downsized or shipped overseas. Those buggy whip makers and Telegraph operators paid the local Doctor with a fat pig and a fresh baked apple pie.  The world is not as simple anymore.   People need 401k's, medical and dental insurance. This keeps up we will be a 3rd world country.

[bsfins]

People need 401k's, medical and dental insurance.

I have none of these....

[Defense54]

I have none of these....

       Not judging , but please Do yourself a favor then and start planning...........unless your rich or plan on winning the Lotto

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/CreateaPlan/CreateaPlanDyn.aspx?cp-documentid=22657583

unless your rich or plan on winning the Lotto.