Pilots understand the impact of wind, especially a headwind, better than most.
Sadly, non-pilots will soon start to get a better understanding.
“Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, the U.S. Postal Service will start to ‘implement new service standards’ for first class mail and periodicals — slowing its target delivery time by about 30%,” USPS spokesperson Kim Frum told NPR in a Sept. 28 story.
The print version of General Aviation News is mailed via USPS’s Periodical Class.
In addition to slower delivery, some mail and packages will be subject to a price increase through the 2021 holiday season.
Enough generalities.
Twice each month, our Williamsport, Pennsylvania-based printer delivers your copy of General Aviation News to the local post office. Mere moments later, the USPS withdraws thousands of dollars from the General Aviation News checking account to pay the postage for those copies.
But while the fees are going up, delivery times are getting slower for your subscription.
Kind of like when actual winds aloft are stronger than forecast. Great if the wind is on your tail, not so much when it’s on the nose.
This announcement of slowed mail and increased prices is part of a plan first announced back in March by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
“The plan includes a combination of investments in technology, training, and a new fleet of delivery vehicles, which will lead to greater ‘consistency, reliability, and efficiency’ benefiting customers,” Frum said in the same NPR story.
I don’t pretend to have all of the answers for USPS woes, but this doesn’t feel right.
But I’m not objective on this topic. Postage is our largest expense. And knowing that many of you will see slower delivery is more than a little infuriating.
People, and businesses, will likely look for alternatives. I know I am.
Alas, just like headwinds while flying, there are few options to the USPS. And those that exist will extract a pretty penny. Lots of pretty pennies.
So, my advice for myself — and you — is patience.
I have distinct memories of long west-bound flights over the Dakotas and Montana where the cars on highways thousands of feet below were traveling very near my speed.
Those were long flights. But unlike my ground-bound traveling compatriots, the view from my seat was much better.
Headwinds are a part of flying and life.
I believe it best to settle in and enjoy the view.
Sadly a reflection on the world we now live in. This is the Postal Service finally publicly recognizing the degradation of service that has taken place in the past 18 months. If you can’t meet the standard, lower the standard. Thank you COVID, and misguided government policies that reward people for staying at home from their job and not working….or even applying for a job. Now 20 months into the pandemic in the US, with vaccinations available for all citizens of working age, there is simply no excuse NOT to get out and work. We all know how many jobs currently go begging because so many people are lazy and feel entitled. Every retail establishment I enter has “Help Wanted” signs posted at the entrance. Many business are running reduced hours because of employee shortages. At my local post office, they have posted job opening signs and job fair posters, and actually hand out a printed flyer to customers, begging for job applicants. Either people don’t want to join what they see as a “loser” organization, or they are just too lazy to apply. So service slows down, and costs go up….economies of scale at work.
Get rid of DeJoy!