Comment Re:Post office is actually pretty tech (Score 1) 188
The actual on-time performance (about 94%) of the post office on first-class overnight delivery can be found here:
http://www.usps.gov/news/press/99/99083new.htm
These are their own stats, and they don't reveal methodology, so I'll assume that these are best case statistics based on flexible interpretations of on-time.
While I think they way the USPS has hounded private mailbox companies is symptomatic of the way that any legally-enforced monopoly will act; I would have to agree that their advertising ("What's Your Priority"), emphasis on results and targetting profitable sub-segments of delivery, like $3 Priority Mail, have been very impressive for a gov't monopolist.
What boggles me is why the Postmaster General doesn't execute a leveraged buy-out of the USPS. They'd have to lose the monopoly, but with the existing infrastructure of physical assets distributed throughout the country, their "footprint" is really impressive. As a private entity, the USPS would have much more flexibility (OK, and competition) and leeway in its behavior. Also, the top guys could get really rich if they were successful -- always nice to have incentives aligned.
http://www.usps.gov/news/press/99/99083new.htm
These are their own stats, and they don't reveal methodology, so I'll assume that these are best case statistics based on flexible interpretations of on-time.
While I think they way the USPS has hounded private mailbox companies is symptomatic of the way that any legally-enforced monopoly will act; I would have to agree that their advertising ("What's Your Priority"), emphasis on results and targetting profitable sub-segments of delivery, like $3 Priority Mail, have been very impressive for a gov't monopolist.
What boggles me is why the Postmaster General doesn't execute a leveraged buy-out of the USPS. They'd have to lose the monopoly, but with the existing infrastructure of physical assets distributed throughout the country, their "footprint" is really impressive. As a private entity, the USPS would have much more flexibility (OK, and competition) and leeway in its behavior. Also, the top guys could get really rich if they were successful -- always nice to have incentives aligned.
