Wed 23 January 2008 - Nine days
Jeremy is rather unimpressed with the postal service. On Monday last week he mailed a letter to himself from my mum’s place, and it took until today to arrive. Some other mail had been turning up — sporadically, but something every few days. I wonder if some of the posties on post-Christmas holidays?
For a while there we thought it had vanished completely, and would eventually be like that recent case where a postcard turned up 93 years after it had been sent.
But as it is, it took nine days to cover such a short distance: 2.3km as the crow flies; 3.3km walking; a little further by road. So although it probably went via any number of mailing centres, it had an average speed of 0.015 km/h.
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:52pm
Daniel
Nine days! That’s absolutely hopeless. No wonder no one uses snail mail any more.
Rog.
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:10pm
Funny how Australia Post’s test letters that they send achieve a next day delivery rate of 98.5% Jeremy should feel honoured to be among such and elite 1.5%, according to Aust Post.
My partner posted a parcel to Langwarrin Monday evening and it arrived in their post on Tuesday, midday.
You are correct in that the letter would have covered many kilometres.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:26am
That’s truly atrocious! Shame, Australia Post, shame!
January 24th, 2008 at 9:16am
I’ve heard of mail coming from the UK and the US faster than mail posted in Australia.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:40am
I hate to correct you Daniel, but it had a theoretical MAXIMUM speed of 0.015 km/h. If, as you say, it zigged left and zagged right on its way back to your place, then it was a hell of a lot slower than that….
(Without knowing your locality and whether the mail centres are in line with your place - I assume not - and that kind of detail…)
January 26th, 2008 at 8:24am
Driving then plopping it in the mailbox and getting it out myself would’ve taken about 9 minutes.
Emailing would’ve taken maybe 9 seconds.
But snail-mailing… (Last time I’ve used the thing) NINE DAYS… im not impressed with australia post
January 27th, 2008 at 2:29am
This article at Reuters tells a similar story with a man in Poland proving that if his letter was actually delivered by snail (0.048 kilometers per hour) it would have reached him quicker.
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2423750920080124?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews