Kudos for the USPS

[RetiredRR]

I would believe your rural mail is delivered by a rural carrier who drives their own vehicle. This may appear to be an independent contractor, but in fact is a USPS employee. As to UPS being able to do the same job as the USPS, no doubt they could. But they would have to make a lot of internal structural upgrades that would cost a fortune. Also doubt they would want to open 3400 UPS buildings across America. (A lot easier to handle thousands of parcels than billions of letters, magazines and parcels) I'm sure they would pass these costs on for each piece they would deliver. Right now, what does the Post Office charge you each day they stop at your mailbox? Do you thnk UPS would stop at your box every day for nothing?
As to the carrier pay being more than a teacher. (Mailcarriers are basically paid on the same scale across the US. Don't know about TN. teachers compared to IA teachers.)) Don't know about TN., but in Iowa a teacher with a Masters would make way more than a mailcarrier. I'm talking same years put in to each career. I was a teacher and a mail carrier. I've figured it. If I'd stayed in teaching (without a masters) for 30 years or if I'd carried mail for 30 years - I would have made more at the end as a teacher - again without a masters. Retirement is the same. Everyone thinks a Postal worker gets a super great pension. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining - but if I'd stayed in teaching (no masters) my retirement would be a lot more. Better even with a masters.
My intention by replying is not to start a controversy. I'm just stating the facts as I know them.

Fuzz

Hard to argue with the facts. I conceed, since you've done both and I've done neither.

[Cane Pole]

Well, I can definitely say teachers retire poor in Tn. I can definitely defend my statement that USPS get more pay and retied at a higher rate in Tn. Tn, the max a teacher gets for retirement is 45% of salary and only after 30 years. Lowest in the country, but our state ain't bankrupt either.

I have a friend that works USPS here. He told me the salary he gets. Not bad for a GED. So, I guess we have a stalemate here. I wouldn't want the job. I prefer to get calluses on my butt by sitting on a couch.

[gabowman]

Funny thing is USPS uses FedEx to ship their packages... I've seen bags upon bags of us mail on the conveyors at FedEx here in Memphis...

Member, Tri State Crappie Anglers

I hear that UPS and Fed-Ex were in the process of combining businesses. Their new name is going to be FED-UP.

BAWHAHAHAHAHA BAWHAHAHAHAHARoflRoflRofl