BOISE — 'Tis the season of online shopping and Christmas cards, leaving the post office to really feel the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.
"Right now we're in the first week of our two busiest weeks of the year," said Chris Shaner, Manager of Distribution Operations for the Southwest Idaho USPS Distribution Center.
While the online world has made it easy for many to avoid the rush of the holiday season, it's adding an extra 150-million postal items to be delivered, just in Southwestern Idaho.
"What we're seeing right now, is all the parcels and letters that are originating in Southwestern Idaho, that are destined for the rest of the country," said Shaner.
Then beginning next week, all of the packages that started across the country will make the trip to Boise.
During regular periods of the year, this Southwest Idaho Distribution Center is processing nearly 50,000 packages a night. However, during the peak holiday season, they're processing upwards of 150,000 packages in just a couple of hours, only to be en route for delivery the following day, adding a bigger workload to the carriers.
"Oh, hundreds, just so many parcels per route. It's a lot, but we know it's important, it's everybody's Christmas gifts," said Jeremy Vann, City Carrier Assistant for USPS.
And while it doesn't come in one night on a sleigh, the extra load is getting done pretty fast.
"With the minimal amount of snow and the great teamwork, we're definitely getting it done in a pretty good hour," said Vann.
But, like it always does, snow will eventually fall.
"If they're on an all walking route, please salt your driveways. I would really appreciate it," said Vann.
And in the wake of package thieves, here’s a swift reminder to check your mail as soon as possible.
The distribution center wants you to know USPS.com has all of your deadline information, as well as options to click, print and ship from home, where a carrier will pick your parcels up. That way you can avoid long lines at the post office.
