Mail Handlers, Deliverers Working Overtime

Holiday season means immense load for delivery services

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By Kate McPherson
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Story Created: Dec 10, 2012 at 9:38 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 10, 2012 at 9:38 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - It was one of busiest days of the year for FedEx contractor Mikhail Gayvoronskiy.

He and his partner driver make at least 100 delivery stops to Anchorage and Eagle River on any given day.

But this day was more than 200 stops.

Still, the tired Gayvoronskiy wasn’t bothered.

“Fun is when I come up to the houses and people are like, 'oh my box has finally showed up,' and they are so happy about it,” said Gayvoronskiy on Monday.

This day didn't come as a surprise.

Gayvoronskiy’s been planning for the holiday rush, as nationwide, on Monday, FedEx expected to move a record-setting 19 million shipments.

"Making sure you stay focused, especially right now -- it's slippery," says Gayvoronskiy, who’s primarily concerned with two things in his work life -- safety and being on time.

“There's not a lot of free shipping here but still we're really picking up.” said Gayvoronskiy.

“This year, especially since the Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's a record for FedEx.”

At the U.S. Post Office near Ted Stevens International Airport, staffers are working harder as the volume of holiday mail coming in and out of the state increases.

"Every employee at the USPS steps up and puts forth some additional work to help," said Joshua Phillips, Operations Support Specialist with USPS in Anchorage.

“We sort about 3 to 4 thousand pieces per hour,” he said, pointing at one machine.

Phillips said the computer system at his office uses a special program during the holiday season.

"The sort program that we create helps us turn around that mail going out of the state faster and get it separated to the appropriate locations," said Phillips.

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John Galt said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 6:00 AM

I've been ordering plenty of stuff online lately. FedEx and UPS packages come right on time. I now have three separate packages that were ordered A MONTH ago and still have not arrived via USPS. Our government at work.

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