So this is OT from PBS but I was hoping the USPS experts could help me out anyway :)

I mailed a package last Wednesday via Priority Mail for  anticipated delivery Saturday.  The package still hasn't arrived at it's destination.  Unfortunately I did not buy delivery confirmation or insurance.  

My guess is I'm just out of luck and have to hope it shows up eventually.  Just wanted to make sure that was the case and there wasn't some other way I wasn't thinking of to figure out what might have happened to it.

Where'd you mail it from and where is it going to?  Some priority travels thru the NDC network for sortation and I know in my area Dallas is keeping up and Jacksonville is going down in flames.  Nationally NDCs are trying to ship without going thru Denver.  Dallas had 2 trailers for Memphis this morning that Memphis wouldn't accept.  Did they add a USPS tracking sticker when you mailed and if so do you have the number of that sticker (receipt????)  The TO/FROM locations and maybe I can determine if those locations are keeping up or have delayed processing - easier if they are in my area to research (TX - FL), but I think we might be able to look up other locations _ I might need to elicit some subject matter experts if outside of my territory - but I can see if I can find anything out.

Now that you mention that I do think I saw him put on a sticker with a little bar code even though I didn't purchase the delivery tracking.  And I do have my reciept, where would I find the right number?

The package was mailed in Normal, IL (61761) and was headed to Madison, MS (39110).

I'm not sure if the tracking numbers go on the receipt as I work on the mail processing side of the organization and not the delivery unit/retail side (we're kind of like two separate knowledge based groups).  Are there any number strings on the receipt that are not meaningful as price, zipcode?  If Brandy or Diane are watching this string maybe they can note if the extra tracking sticker number is located anywhere we can discover.

Tomorrow I'll look up the IL and MS plant handlings for priority (1st class plant or NDC) to try and determine if the specific facilites are staying current or have delayed volumes that are pending sortation.

MS is my territory _ and I can definately call them and get a true report of what 's going on with them keeping up or falling behind (as I know they work a lot of volume manually and are trying to make a case for justifying additional sorting equipment) if the priority doesn't go thru Memphis - which on the top of my head it shouldn't.  But the ILroutings  I don't know off the top of my head. 

Thank you so much Melisa.  I've definitely learned my lesson on buying the tracking and insurance!  I've gotten so used to just declining it on all my PBS stuff that "no thanks" just flew out of my mouth this time around too even though I was sending a box of Christmas presents.  

There are a few numbers on the reciept but none of them seem likely to be related to tracking of any type.  If someone else knows specifically where to look I can get you the number.  

Thanks Brandy - I'll try not to fret about it!    I'm just mad at myself :(

Your priority travels Bloomington P&DF => Memphis Surface Transfer Center=> Jackson P&DC.  Bloomington oldest date of outgoing priority on-hand is 12/19 so I think your package made it out of Bloomington.  Jackson oldest date of incoming priority is 12/18.  My manager in Jackson said they are catching up and he will watch to make sure all Madison that's worked gets out. 

The problem is Memphis - they have 96,000 pieces Priority on-hand to work, are so gridlocked that trucks can't get in and are just parked on the street.  90% of what Jackson is receiving from Memphis is dead (has missed its expected delivery date), and they are preparing to try and offload mail from the Memphis STC to other facilities or implementing direct trips to bypass Memphis all together at this point.  So my guess would be that your package was delayed or is still stuck in Memphis - if still in Memphis it's just nail biting and waiting for you.  Sorry.

Melisa - 

Thank you so much, that information gives me much more hope that the package is still out there somewhere, just backed up in the traffic of the holiday!

I find that Priority Mail often takes longer than usual around Christmas. There's still hope :)

We all work manual Priority mail during holiday season - I just told two of my staff out on the road to get to throwing parcels tonight when they get bored and sleppy during their review in Jackson the next 2 nights.  I spent a week before the holiday last year working Priority while I was on-site in Lafayette - there's only so much to review in Lafayette and I wasn't going to make it 8 hours a night if I didn't have something else to keep me busy and help out. 

LoL--- I just got a Christmas card today  from another PBS member that was mailed on 12 DEC !   Only had to go from Arkansas to FL too!

It finally came today!  No idea where it was hiding but so happy it finally "shook back out" of the system!  Thanks again Melisa for all the info and reassurance!