I mailed out two packages today using media rate and was told they would probably not even be sent on to the next location now until after Christmas due to the extreme amount of Priority packages moving this time of year.  Can the post office actually hold packages for that long, even media rate?

From what I understand Media Rate is like flying standby on a plane.  If there is an open slot, they get on, if not, they wait for the next plane with an open seat.  If the trucks are full of "regular" mail, media mail waits for the next open spot on a truck.  So... there is most likely going to be a slowdown of open slots on trucks while our media mail packages wage a losing war with higher cost packages.  There is not time guarantee on media rate like there is on other types of postage.  I tend to be an optimist though and just think... "I'll be there might be enough open spots to get my books out sometime soon"

Its a good possibility, but they can't really predict what will get on the truck and what won't. I've found my media mail travelling faster than normal the last couple weeks. I took 3 books to the PO yesterday, the two media mail left town last night and the first class is still sitting in town. With the USPS, there is no guessing what they are going to do.

I have to say, Bren, that you must deal with one of the strangest PO I've ever heard of!

ROFL Connie - I was thinking the same thing!

Yes, they sure can.  Media Mail is the last stuff loaded on the truck.  If the truck's full, the media mail gets left behind.  It only goes if there's room for it.

this time of year, it really does move slowly because of all the Christmas packages out there.

Connie and Cozi, I had the same thought!  Bren, you always bring interesting stories and questions to the P.O. forum!  :->

I sent two fairly large boxes to my mother in IA (I'm in CA) on the very same day (last Thursday. )  The box of books was sent media mail and arrived in three shipping days (very quick!) and the box of Christmas goodies was sent PRIORITY (supposed to be 2 - 3 days, right?) and over a week later it has still not arrived.  A few Christmases ago my Priority box took three weeks!!! I don't understand....

I was just on the post office website using the "postage calculator."  I noticed under the different options, they estimate delivery time as 1 day for priority mail, 2 days for parcel post, and 2 days for media mail!!  Even at the slowest time of the year I think this is very optimistic.

This is too funny!  I just posted an hour ago laughing at the post office website saying media mail in two days, and I just checked my PMs--I got a thank you for a book I sent out media mail on Thursday!  I can't believe it, does this mean I have to apologize to the post office!? LOL  They must have a lot of holiday help working to send a package faster than non-holiday time!

Bren, I read about Aurora - my parents have a lakehouse in Auburn :) Crazy...

They can definitely do that with bulk mail, but I didn't realize they could with media mail.  In most instances, tho, at least for me, it has been less expensive or nearly the same to send things first class as opposed to media mail. 

I sent a ton of books to my mom recently via Priority.  That box was HEAVY, and the price wasn't nearly as steep as I might have expected.  Also, they have a Priority Mail box that they will send for a flat rate (I think it's 8.99) for whatever you can fit in it.  It's fantastic if you need to send a lot of books to one address.

Some media mail is moving faster than normal.  This time of the year, with all the Christmas packages, the USPS is running more trucks & planes than the rest of the year.  They are even using private carriers to help with the extra burden.

I shipped a book out last week via media mail.  I got it across country in 3 days.  Not bad, I would think.

They are even using private carriers to help with the extra burden.

USPS doesn't use 'private carriers'. We don't own any planes. When first class, etc. flies, it's always by commercial carriers.

All of the media mail I have sent or received in the last 2 weeks has arrived at its destination within days.  Faster than normal.  Maybe we should have USPS do Christmas size mailings all year so our books will arrive faster.   A joke - do not throw virtual rotten tomatoes.

How about virtual holly berries--they're a lot smaller! <grin>

Through this holiday season books that I've sent Media Mail have gotten to their destinations faster than they every have. Where usually they take a week or more these last few weeks they've been getting there in 2 to 3 days.