Let’s face it: modern shipping is absolutely amazing.
Last week, with a little persuasion, I convinced the Massachusetts sales office of Philips Electronics to send me a free sample of a nearly-obsolete television chip for my AUP. “We’re sending you five, and you should have them in a few days.” Golly, thanks!
But what really takes the cake is FedEx, which stunned me once again with their unbelievable speed and precision:
| 5/3/2005 10:16 AM | Kwai Chung, Hong Kong | Shipping label printed |
| 5/3/2005 3:26 PM | Kwai Chung, Hong Kong | Package picked up |
| 5/3/2005 6:01 PM | Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong | Left origin |
| 5/3/2005 1:27 PM | Anchorage, AK | Arrived at FedEx Location |
| 5/3/2005 2:46 PM | Anchorage, AK | Cleared Customs |
| 5/3/2005 5:50 PM | Anchorage, AK | Departed FedEx Location |
| 5/4/2005 1:14 AM | Memphis, TN | Arrived at FedEx Location |
| 5/4/2005 1:54 AM | Memphis, TN | Departed FedEx Location |
| 5/4/2005 7:18 AM | South Boston, MA | Arrived at FedEx Location |
| 5/4/2005 7:51 AM | South Boston, MA | Loaded on truck for delivery |
| 5/4/2005 9:33 AM | Cruftlabs | Delivered to “Receptionist/Front Desk” |
Disregarding little technicalities like time zones and the international date line, that’s less than 18 hours from desk to desk, halfway around the world.
That’s the first time I’ve heard you say anything positive about modern technology, Scottoway.
How dare you!
-Nedmund Ludd