IN THE POSTAL ZONE: GOING POSTAL

TRYING TO UNDERSTAND the way things operate.

You live in Dover Delaware, and you want to mail a package to Camden Delaware. Camden is about two miles from Dover.

Your package goes to Wilmington. From Wilmington, it goes to Philadelphia. Then it goes back to Wilmington, and then back to Dover and to Camden.

Time: two days.

Why? Because the Philadelphia post office wants a "count" that favors its distribution practices, not anything to do with customer satisfaction or overnight reliability.

I mentioned this system to someone and he said "I don't ask questions around here. I just collect my paycheck every two weeks."