Well UPS, for example, delivers about 15 million packages a day world-wide. So worst case they would have to have 15 million GPS-trackers. I'm sure they would start out with a lot less while introducing it, say about 500,000 or so. If each device cost them, say, $30 to make that would cost them about $15 million. If they charged $2 to have a GPS on your package, it would only take them 2 weeks to recover their costs, then anything beyond that would be profit.

I agree with your last statement, it would be smart to have the GPS combined with the regular tracking number online, so that when they put it on a truck or plane, where there may not be GPS, that it would additionally give you the location of the truck or plane.

Indeed. It wasn't long ago that UPS made the news for trying to eliminate left turns to save money. On their scale, small costs add up to large figures.

The answer is simple. They deliver large packages first that are at the front of the truck. The smaller packages always get delivered last.

You're kidding, right? Aside from actively plotting the most inefficient course possible, this is about as inefficient as it gets. Aside from the fact that the driver can access the truck easily from both ends, the packages are arranged on shelves either side, so size doesn't really factor in to access.

Assuming a randomized distribution of small and large packages, a delivery route based on size would send the driver all over town and back again. No, the delivery routes are setup to be as efficient as possible—each package being delivered in an ordered designed to minimize driving time and distance as much as possible, regardless of package size.

I was just gonna make a similar thread post. UPS is so full of it. I ordered my n810 with overnight priority am delivery, my package has been in Rockford, IL for the last 2 days. Of course when i'm waiting, they have water delays and the such. How long does that last? Does my delivery have to be on standstill for another entire day. How bad is this "water" delay? My sister is a dispatcher for another company and called them. She said they had no reason why my package was delayed in the first place. I thought they were gonna ship fed ex (usually happens when i ask for priority delivery). Don't they understand the difference between the two companies. UPS brown trucks represents how much "tihs" they are worth.

Well... it sometimes works other way around: I'm expecting my N810 to arrive via USPS, and they actually did try to deliver today when I wasn't at home expecting it. It was sent with signature required and I have to wait until tomorrow to pick it up from the post office.

The good news is that the post office is only quarter mile away from me, and I know I'm going to get it tomorrow!