USPS - Takes the $12 Billion Loan

[FreightTrain]

There will be a postal service as it's required in the constitution. That said, it's not hard to drop mail in a box, time to cut costs

Yep time to do away with all those cushy civil service jobs.

[aggie97]

Or just let them fail like any other mis-managed, failed company should.

It's actually not that poorly run in the last 3 years. It's GOVERNED terribly and very limited in how it can respond to market conditions. The current PMG and many of the remaining management WANT to make a change, but the politicians won't let that happen.

Trust me, I have an inside view of what they are trying to do and they keep getting turned away from good decisions by Congress because of the 1% of the public that complains too much and has nothing better to do.

As for service changes...Overnight mail is going away. That is how they are planning the 250 processing plant closures but Congress won't let them close that many. Saturday delivery alone is a huge savings and the customers are all behind it....but once again, Congress won't let them do it.

There have been numerous plans submitted...SMART plans. But every time, Congress shoots them down. USPS could have been profitable 2 years ago except for Congress preventing progress.

[racrguy]

It's actually not that poorly run in the last 3 years. It's GOVERNED terribly and very limited in how it can respond to market conditions. The current PMG and many of the remaining management WANT to make a change, but the politicians won't let that happen.

Trust me, I have an inside view of what they are trying to do and they keep getting turned away from good decisions by Congress because of the 1% of the public that complains too much and has nothing better to do.

As for service changes...Overnight mail is going away. That is how they are planning the 250 processing plant closures but Congress won't let them close that many. Saturday delivery alone is a huge savings and the customers are all behind it....but once again, Congress won't let them do it.

There have been numerous plans submitted...SMART plans. But every time, Congress shoots them down. USPS could have been profitable 2 years ago except for Congress preventing progress.

So you're saying it's just like everything else the government has its hands in? Whoda thunk?

[futant]

im fairly convinced the govt can fuck up anything.
it doesn't matter how good it is.
it could be chocolate and the govt would FUBAR it
About the only thing not overregulated by the govt is ........ ?

[FreightTrain]

So you're saying it's just like everything else the government has its hands in? Whoda thunk?

Amtrak is the same way. They try to shut down routes that aren't profitable, but congress refuses to let them do it. The best part is congress then threatens to pull their funding because they keep losing money. It's insane.

[ceyko]

In these modern times, I'm fairly certain a vast majority of us could live with 3 day a week service from USPS. All we get is snail mail and bills that are handled electronically anyways. We send very little via the mailbox/USPS. Maybe I'm not the majority though.

USPS is nice when you're on an overseas base though, but I think most don't mind that portion being in service.

Either way, if sacrificing 3 days a week saves a ton of money - I think a lot of folks would be willing to do so. Also, routes only 3 days a week could mean only part time drivers would want it - who would demand a lower cost as well. Granted, the PO will still be open whatever they are open today - for on-site stuff and sorting.

[ceyko]

Amtrak is the same way. They try to shut down routes that aren't profitable, but congress refuses to let them do it. The best part is congress then threatens to pull their funding because they keep losing money. It's insane.

Isn't Amtrak private? Or is it one of those deals I need to read about...

[FreightTrain]

Isn't Amtrak private? Or is it one of those deals I need to read about...

Nah it stopped being private in the 70s. It's mandated and funded by congress. So just imagine how fucked up it is.