airmail

FedEx braces for 50% cut in Postal Service air contract

FedEx Corp. expects its air express unit will lose half of its business with the U.S. Postal Service when an existing contract expires, making more pilots expendable, FreightWaves has learned.

The Postal Service three years ago began shifting a large amount of volume from air to ground transportation to reduce red ink and become more competitive. Declining postal volumes have been a significant drag on FedEx Express’ recent performance, company officials publicly acknowledge.

Postal delivery at...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-braces-for-50-cut-in-postal-service-air-contract

FreightWaves Classics/Pioneers: Smith was an early aviator who helped make history

Dean Smith delivering airmail in Pennsylvania. (Photo: Library of Congress)

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Dean Cullen Smith, an aviation pioneer, was born at his grandparents’ home in Cove, Oregon on September 27, 1899. After graduating from high school, he attended Principia College in St. Louis, Missouri, for two years. 

U.S. Army

In the summer of 1917, not long after the United States entered World War I, Smith enlisted in the aviation section of the U.S. Army’s...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicspioneers-smith-was-an-early-aviator-who-helped-make-history

FreightWaves Classics/Fallen Flags: Varney Air Lines delivers the mail

Lee Cuddleback and a Varney Air Lines' Laird Swallow. (Photo: SFO Museum)

On this date in 1926, Varney Air Lines officially began service as an airmail carrier. The company made history with a U.S. airmail flight that began in Pasco, Washington. The April 6, 1926 edition of the Salt Lake Tribune reported “America’s most modern and rapid transportation of mail was brought to the Northwest today.”

The backstory

Congress passed HR 7064 (“An Act to encourage commercial aviation and to authorize the Postmaster General to contract for Air Mail Service”). Also known as “The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsfallen-flags-varney-air-lines-delivers-the-mail