LOCAL NEWS

For The Postal Service, It’s The Busiest Time Of The Year

Dec 18, 2018, 5:21 PM | Updated: Dec 19, 2018, 12:47 am

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The job is still basically the same.

But it sure is different this time of year.

Jeff Burns doesn’t need a calendar to tell you we’re pretty close to Christmas.

“I mean, the back of my truck is still full of packages,” said Burns, while filling his mail bag with envelopes.

Burns is a Salt Lake City-based mailman who says Christmas time is busy time.

Unlike Santa Claus, who only delivers once a year, Burns says he’s on the road every day.

Only, lately, that day is longer.

“It takes a little bit more each day,” he said with a laugh. “Our mail volume is definitely up this time of year with Christmas, Christmas letters, Christmas cards, and packages for sure.”

However, for as busy as he is this time of year, there is a place besides the North Pole, where there is non-stop noise.

“We have three different shifts that are constantly running,” said Troy Larson.

Larson works at the Salt Lake City mail sorting facility, where close to half a million letters and packages are pushed through every day this time of year.

“It’s one of those times where it’s hard on our mechanics because they don’t get time to actually work on the machines because they’re never shutting down,” said Larson.

The postal service no longer has a traditional “busiest day.”

Instead, they have a busiest two weeks.

Larson and his co-workers are in the middle of it all right now.

“This has been one of the busiest years we’ve ever had,” he said. “We actually set up a whole other facility where they bring in a lot of Christmas help.”

To deal with extra work load, and to try and make sure the mail gets delivered quickly, the Postal Service has hired roughly 400 extra elves to help during the Christmas season in Salt Lake City.

Even though eight reindeer, and Rudolph, are probably enough, mail carriers want to make sure the mail gets to people in time.

After all, Christmas is the 25th. Not the 26th.

“It’s a good, satisfying feeling when you see all the packages get cleared out,” said Larson.

The Postal Service says Thursday, Dec. 20, is the deadline for first class and priority mail to be delivered by Christmas.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Loren Richardson shoots video of him snowboarding when a Brighton man confronted him on Feb. 26. Th...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Brighton resident charged with threatening, pointing shotgun at snowboarder

A Brighton man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and accused of pointing a shotgun at a backcountry skier who went on his property on Feb. 26.

28 minutes ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

Breeze Airways announces new flights out of Provo to Dallas Fort Worth

Getting to the Lone Star State just got easier. Breeze Airways announced a new flights to Dallas Fort Worth from Provo.

1 hour ago

(KSL TV)...

Andrew Adams

Data shows significant uptick in gas prices over past month in Salt Lake area

Gas prices rose considerably over the past month in the Salt Lake area, according to data from industry watchers.

2 hours ago

A UDOT snowplow clears the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 9. Up to 2 feet of snow or more is...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Rain, snow to impact many parts of Utah throughout Easter weekend

It might be spring, but winter weather remains in Utah's forecast for Easter weekend as the end of the traditional snowpack collection period nears.

3 hours ago

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

14 hours ago

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

For The Postal Service, It’s The Busiest Time Of The Year