Fedex Sucks: San Francisco, Memphis, Oakland, San Francisco?
As a freelancer most of the time, I have to deal with all sorts of mail shenanigans while awaiting various checks. It once took nine business days for a check to be delivered from Palo Alto to San Francisco via the United States Postal Service. Everybody casts aspersions on the USPS, but lemme tell ya, the private sector doesn't have shit figured out much better.
So I worked a contract for a company almost literally around-the-corner — a ten minute walk from my apartment around Telegraph Hill. So yesterday they sent me my check via FedEx Express Saver. But when I checked up on the tracking number (since it wasn't delivered today as their policy would suggest), it turns out the expected delivery isn't for another four days (Monday). And here's why:
Jun 15, 2006
5:32 PM Arrived at FedEx location OAKLAND, CA
4:29 PM Departed FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN
12:29 PM Arrived at FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN
3:43 AM At dest sort facility SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Jun 14, 2006
9:38 PM Left origin SAN FRANCISCO, CA
4:14 PM Picked up SAN FRANCISCO, CA
4:05 PM Package data transmitted to FedEx
That's reverse-chronological, but I digress. Let me explain — the package left San Francisco, was flown to Memphis, and then returned to Oakland. When I called customer service, I chatted with a nice lady from India. To paraphrase our conversation:
Me: "So can I go pick up my package in Oakland tomorrow?"
Her: "No, it's still at the hub." (Meaning Memphis, I presume)
Me: "But it'll be in Oakland tomorrow?"
Her: "Maybe. But you'll have to pick it up in San Francisco."
Me: "Ah, so it accidentally got re-routed to the hub."
Her: "No, thats where our central processing center is."
So not only did they fly a one-ounce package from San Francisco to Memphis, the tracking system apparently lied about the package's return to Oakland. And even if I wanted to intercept the shipment there (a quick BART ride), I wouldn't be allowed to. Finally, if FedEx was such an uber-efficient entity, why the hell didn't the guy who picked it up and scanned the address just walk or drive to my apartment? Haterate all you want on the USPS, Bike Messengers, Tiffin Wallahs, what have you — but how many gallons of jet fuel and diesel went into these convoluted logistics?
All kinds of questions here about industrial processes.
Why did the person sending the check use a local messenger service for local stuff and fedex for non local? Answer, Fedex gives a discount rate in order to soak up as much of the business as it can.
Since the package was entered into the computer before pickup you would think fedex would invest in a sorting infrastructure in SF to cull out bay area stuff deliveries from non-bay area packages that need to get stuffed into a container and airlifted. As you say, it was cheaper to airlift all local packages halfway across the country and back again then do a basic sort of local vs non-local. As fuel prices rise, I think the cost of the airlift across the country may change that..
finally, it is odd that the pickup was flown out of the SF hub but returned to be delivered out of Oakland. Is there not a delivery hub on the SF side of the bay? Is it just a satellite of the OAK terminal? Is this a case where packages can leave SFO but never return?
Oh, and Express Saver does not mean overnight. “Express’ is a throwaway marketing term. The operative word is ‘Saver.’ That means that the package will wend its way through the Fedex system at whatever leisurely pace accomodates the lowest possible handling costs for Fedex. That means it gets moved, sorted and processed at off peak times when the equipment dedicated to rapid delivery is otherwise idle.
I just ordered a desperately needed pair of pants for a wedding via express saver. Paid $35 for “three day” shipping. At the end of the fourth day, here I am, pantless.
Let me help you understand : Fedex has three kinds of facilities, HUBS, RAMPS, and STATIONS. Oakland is a regional HUB.Fedex facilities on the san francisco side (penninsula) include the SFO RAMP and local stations which include San Francisco, South San Francisco, and Palo Alto. The hubs sort packages from a large number of inbound flights and launch outbound flights to the RAMPS. The Ramps distribute the packages to the local stations in their area.You are correct though, any packages that are picked up on the West Coast and destined for the West Coast should go to the Oakland hub. In your package’s case it should never have gone to the SFO RAMP and put on a flight. Usually the nightly flight out of SFO is only filled with EAST COAST overnight packages . Any two or three day packages originating on the west coast are either flown or trucked to Oakland (depending on distance). At oakland all east coast bound packages are consolidated and sent to either Indianapolis, Memphis, or Newark hubs. West coast bound packages are either trucked or flown to destination.