The last word on shipping trains

Holy mackerel.   

.....

Dennis

You know like with potato chip manufacturing, the last guy smashes the chips before inflating and sealing the bag so the chips don't, umm, get smashed, somebody's job in the pic is to drop kick all those parcels!

 

Stack 

Hey!! I think that may be my package! Second from the right.....

 

Working there would leave me with nightmares!!!! At least there's no one walking on the stack of boxes. At least, in this picture.

 

Gilly

Ugh, my poor Big Boy. 

 

I've never seen so many FedEx and UPS trucks in my neighborhood. I've been stunned at how much shipping traffic there has been. I've also received a few (non-train) things and they've come from LaserShip, UPS, FedEx, and a few unmarked white vans have pulled up with packages. Looks like the companies are getting all the help they can. 

 

I also took the dog out at about 9pm the other evening and saw a UPS truck going into the cul-de-sac across from mine. I don't recall seeing this much shipping traffic but it is impressive and good to see people spending money and boosting the economy a bit. 

What a mess

The simple solution is not to buy anything at all and retire to the 9th green and watch others enjoy this bombastic review of shipping practices. LOL

 

Pete

And we wonder if workers even have time to read whether a package is labeled "FRAGILE: Handle with Care"? 

I'd rather have a simple boxcar or reefer 3-pk in that mess instead of a Big Boy or Cab Forward!!!   Things will likely settle back to normal in another week or two.  Just in time for everyone to be asking about the next catalog...

David

Isn't it customary for a dealer to provide shipping info at the time of billing your credit card? I have a Christmas set that I ordered and was billed for last Thursday and still no update on my order other that it was "processed". I won't name names .. at least not yet, but I am getting really concerned, as I sent them an email today asking for a tracking number (it is being shipped UPS) and the only reply I got back was We'll get back to you... OK, WHEN?!  How hard is it to update the purchaser with a tracking number?  

 

In another transaction with a different vendor, I ordered some track that I need to finish off my Christmas layout, and it is sitting in the local UPS sorting station and has been since noon on Sunday.  Even though its made it this far, they are saying delivery by midnight CHRISTMAS EVE!  I guess Santa himself is going to have to make the delivery! Seriously, I also read that the sorting station for UPS in Atlanta is putting "regular" packages in the back racks and giving priority to next day.  WTH?  Why should I have to wait longer if I had the forethought to order before the others?  Come on UPS!  

 

I did go ahead and visit my LHS to get some track, but really, I should expect better service from these online stores and shippers. 

Yikes!!

-Greg

That's the way it typically works for most dealers accepting pre-orders.  When items come in, they charge your credit-card and ship upon receipt of an approval code.

 

Now with some places having newer, real-time inventory control of what's presented to website shoppers... your credit card may be charged at the time you click "purchase".  Then somebody picks-and-packs your order, generates a shipping label, and away it goes.  If they get a bit overwhelmed, they may not ship for several days AFTER you actually shopped on-line.  That just happened to me with a very well-known dealer.  I purchased a couple of items online (which is when my card was charged), yet I waited over a week before the products were shipped.  A bit unusual in this day-and-age when products are in-stock (which they were).  But I guess everyone is starting to show that this Holiday season is taking its toll on shop owners and store staff alike.  Everybody's human.    

 

David

I toured the UPS sorting hub in Louisville about 3 years ago and it was like seeing something from the future.

While the level of automation is amazing, people are still needed to strip and stuff containers and hand sort at different stations throughout.  The majority of the people doing the sorting or unloading and loading of the containers were local college students.  UPS provides scholarship money along with a paycheck and guarantees them at least 4 hours each night.

Easily the most mind numbing job I saw during that tour was the folks who sit in a darkened room staring at computer screens trying to decipher illegible shipping labels.  A few hours of that and I would be seeking professional help.  ��

Curt

 

After seeing this picture, I am gonna find-it-hard-to-sleep-tonight.

This is why I ship USPS! Last week I had a choice of shippers from Yorba Linda, CA to NJ. While other shipper prices were cheaper, they all stated delivery AFTER Christmas. I chose USPS priority mail and the package is waiting for me at my local P.O.

Santa's gonna need a bigger sled...

 

Santa installed the Star Trek Transporter pad in his bag years ago. Or was it in the sled for whole bags, I forget...

It's the perfect time to order. Look at all of the padding produced by the mounds of packages.

UPS is delivering in U-hauls today!  Lots of them!

 

Stack

A friend of mine works for UPS. Last December they moved 538 million packages.

This year the number is expected to increase by 11%. Should have bought more stock.

 

 

 

 

As I have said before, putting "FRAGILE" stickers on the box means to drive over it with only one wheel of the truck, not two.  Bob

I did that for a while in college ... UPS in Edison, NJ. Four hours in the middle of the night .... crazy, hectic pace ..... it was hard. Really cuts into your beer time.

 

 

 

I haven't seen Spence posting today, maybe he's helping his alma mater UPS with the overload?  It looks like they can use all the help they can find.  I have two relatives that work for UPS and I'll bet they are having fun too.

 

Art

I was thinking the same thing.  Isn't it funny, conspicuous by his absence.  Bob

Supposedly Lionel was shipping Ro the berks that they were shorted by air to make up for the delay.

 

Note that the narration is in Chinese.

I wonder if that's Chinese china?

Don