"I'm going to speak my mind because I have nothing to lose."--S.I. Hayakawa
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Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Half-Baked Alaska, No. 4

For the past eight years, I have worked an occasional day for Erin, my friend who had the contract to deliver mail for the U.S. Post Office.  She was known as a contract carrier.








In order to work for her, I had to have a urine drug test and be fingerprinted.  (I've been fingerprinted in the past for security clearances, so my prints are on file.)    I was issued a badge and when Erin needed a relief driver, I  picked up a batch of mail and packages destined for the village of Hope and headed off, also delivering to rural mailboxes along the way out of Moose Pass.











I left Hope with its out-going mail, as well as for mailboxes on the Hope route.









Then I went to Cooper Landing, picked up all the mail and packages on that route, and delivered them.   I finished the route at Moose Pass, where I dropped off Hope's outgoing mail.   About 130 miles of scenic driving, summertime traffic, and the infrequent white-knuckle drive on the Hope Highway.








Erin recently decided not to bid when the contract came up for renewal, but just before that date, the post office issued me a new badge.






Neighbors on the other side of me, the Berrys,  were awarded the contract and asked me to be their relief driver.  My first day is to be this Saturday.

BUT!

I filled out the paperwork, got fingerprinted again in case my prints have changed, and provided a specimen for another urinalysis on June 23.   Then I was told I also had to provide my driving record.  Yesterday, Tuesday, I went to Seward, filled out a form, and received my perfectly clean driving record.







Here's the catch:  the results of the UA have not yet been received by the postmaster in Cooper Landing, where the new contract route now begins.   Until he has the results, I am not allowed to work, even though he has a new badge for me and I've been doing this for eight years.









I contacted the lab.   The medical revue officer said the results were mailed June 26, two weeks ago.




Do you understand what this means?



I can't deliver mail for the post office because my urine test results are lost in the mail.





5 comments:

  1. Cap just got a letter from me that took over seven (7) weeks to get to Hong Kong ... he got five pieces of mail from me all on July 7th and mailed anywhere from the middle of May to the middle of June. I get mail from him sent from Hong Kong usually in two weeks or less. I do have to wonder what is becoming of our postal "service". Good thing you have more "samples" of offer if they do not find your lost one! Smiles, Patti and Cap

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  2. My facial response is exactly like that in your last photo.

    Thank you for making this post tolerable with your humor and grand photos.

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  3. Several years ago I mailed a payment to an address one mile from home....took it 15 days to get there. They tried to charge me a late fee but the post mark date was the date mailed.....and from there on I delivered it in person. Organization is alive and well in the USA.

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  4. Ditto what Shaddy said. I broke up on that last photo.

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  5. This is a very nice Post .. I really enjoyed it .. I find the photos to be calm and serene .. Smiles .. Cap a day late and a dollar short on a comment here .. Actually it is a GREAT POST ..

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