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Latest USPS Updates
This is the most recent communication with the USPS and their latest proposal:
Just wanted to give you an update and get your feedback on the following. As you know, the spring mailing season for lives was extremely trying – loss of air transportation with Delta airlines severely restricted the ability of USPS to move lives, coupled with the suspensions of American & US Air, the movement of lives was challenging to say the least. Things have not gotten any better. I received notification last week from US Airways effective October 1; they will no longer accept lives as cargo or mail. This is a result of their merger with America West. America West will manage the partnership and they do not accept lives.
As I’ve mentioned to a few of you on many occasions, I have been involved in negotiations with a cargo carrier to provide much needed lift to the industry, however, this lift comes at a cost. As you know, Northwest Airlines requires a $1.00 surcharge to transport lives. The cargo carrier will require a $.99 surcharge should we contract with them.
They will take lives out of the following markets:
Memphis
Nashville
Jacksonville
Orlando
Honolulu
San Francisco
San Diego
Phoenix
El Paso
Austin
New Orleans
Columbus, OH
Cleveland
Charlotte
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Louisville
Anchorage
Seattle
Portland, OR
Denver
Omaha
Kansas City
Buffalo
Albany
Springfield/Hartford
Boston
Fort Wayne, IN
Milwaukee
St. Louis
Richmond
The sites above were provided by each postal area where lift is either limited or non-existent. Where it is limited, the surcharge would apply to all carriers in that market. The cargo carrier only goes to 65 destinations, however, in most cases, they can get your product close to home – USPS may be in a position to truck the remaining distance. Movement of lives on this cargo carrier would be coordinated through their web site – a reservation system if you will. USPS employees would reserve space the cargo carriers’ planes – the lives industry would be required to coordinate shipments with local postal folks.
John C. Bonafilia
Manager, Commercial Air Operations
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260-7137
202-268-2784
Posted by mcmurray at September 1, 2005 11:00 AM