UPS North: Driving a package car in The Last Frontier

[TBH]

7 paragraphs, it only took me a couple of minutes to read. I find the topic fascinating and I am looking forward to hearing more about what its like to do our job in Alaska!

I'm looking forward to reading more as well! My Wife and I want to get to Alaska in the next few years. We got it all from Russia for like what, 3 cents an acre?

 

[watdaflock?]

 

[MyTripisCut]

No.

And I've been to the Palin's house. You can't see Russia from their back yard even on a clear day.

Ever try to shag her? She seems piggish. And love the glasses.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

I know, just playing with you.

Pervert.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

I've asked me in another thread to start a thread about Alaska, so here goes!

Alaska: A Big But Mostly Empty Place

Alaska, The Last Frontier. You remember Alaska, that little state off the coast of Arizona, down in the lower left hand corner of the map, right next to Hawaii?

OK most people know it's a really big state, but the true scope is often lost because of the common map inset. As we love to say here "If you cut Alaska in half, Texas would be the third largest state!"

But not a lot of people. Our poplulation ranks 48th in the nation, and our population density is dead last. I mean we can't even see 49th place from where we sit, were that far back. There are miles of miles of miles and miles. And most of it you cannot drive to.

The majority of the population lives in the cities and towns where we have buildings and UPSers on the ground. However, a couple hundred small villages in what is called "Bush Alaska" are not served by UPSers. These villages (pop ranging from less that a hundred to a few hundred people) are not connected to the road system. Everything arrives by small plane, or by boat if the village is located on a river or coastline.

The UPS focal point in the state is of course Anchorage. UPS Anchorage is a major Air Gateway. Almost all UPS Airlines flights between points in Asia and North America stop in Anchorage. Most of the traffic is just transiting, we act as a hub transferring shipments between flights or sometimes simply act as a refueling stop. However one 747 every night is dedicated to Alaska volume as well as a few containers every morning off flights from Louisville and Ontario. All volume from the lower 48 (including "ground") arrives by air.

There is one Center housed out of the Anchorage Air Gateway which covers all of Anchorage including the adjacent towns of Girdwood, Indian, Eagle River, and Chugiak. It also covers the most populated area of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley (generally just called "The Valley") which includes the towns of Palmet and Wasilla. Most of The Valley is covered by a satellite building in Wasilla that is operated as part of the Anchorage Center.

There are also centers located in Fairbanks, Kenai, Homer, Kodiak, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau.

Ok that was a dang long post.. More later. It's almost game time. I need another beer.

Thanks brother. Definitely looking forward to hearing more about Alaska.

 

[oldngray]

Ever try to shag her? She seems piggish. And love the glasses.

You prefer someone a bit more Jersey? Like Snookie maybe?

 

[govols019]

When I was in Alaska in 1991 I was in awe of how every single road sign had a bullet hole in it.

 

[clean hairy]

Are there routes which are only delivered in the winter?
Thinking of ice road truckers here.

 

[rod]

When I was in Alaska in 1991 I was in awe of how every single road sign had a bullet hole in it.

Our signs in the country take a similar beating.

 

[oldngray]

Our signs in the country take a similar beating.

Deer slugs can do a number on signs.

 

[rod]

Deer slugs can do a number on signs.

Not much slug hunting around here. (mainly a southern Mn. thing). Around here everyone who owns a pistol thinks they are Dirty Harry and the signs are the bad guys.

 

[govols019]

Our signs in the country take a similar beating.

In Alaska, the ones in town were shot as well.

Also, biggest damn mosquitoes I've ever seen. Believe they could carry off a small dog.

 

[oldngray]

In Alaska, the ones in town were shot as well.

Also, biggest damn mosquitoes I've ever seen. Believe they could carry off a small dog.

I have heard mosquito called the state bird of Alaska.

 

[AKCoverMan]

Ever try to shag her? She seems piggish. And love the glasses.

Um...no

 

[AKCoverMan]

I have heard mosquito called the state bird of Alaska.

Common joke here..

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

Common joke here..

Good thread.
Glad you thought of it.

 

[HardknocksUPSer]

When I was in Alaska in 1991 I was in awe of how every single road sign had a bullet hole in it.

I'm in NC and have plenty of those lol

 

[soberups]

My sister lived in Homer for awhile. She described it as a "neat little drinking village with a serious fishing problem"

 

[Big Arrow Down...D]

When I was in Alaska in 1991 I was in awe of how every single road sign had a bullet hole in it.

That happened here when they changed the name of the"Willowbrook parkway" to the "Martin Luther King" parkway...

 

[WorknLateHuh]

What are the highest mileage routes out there?? Like 800 miles a day with 5 stops?