I always assumed that First Class packages were shipped by air, since they went faster than Media Mail and other slower methods. Now we are told that there no longer First Class Mail. It was changed to "USPS Ground Advantage". The name itself tells us which way packages will be shipped. By horse? If we thought First Class was slow, let's wait and see what happens with Ground Advantage.
I shipped a package of audiobooks to Alaska it took just 4 days with Media Mail. I shipped audiobooks using Ground advantage it took 5 days to go to Austin Texas , I’m in Louisiana. So to me GA isn’t any slower or faster than MM.
First Class package was about the same between 3-5 days depending on destination.
I've shipped five packages using ground advantage, only 1 made it by the estimated date, the other 4 arrived 1-2 days later, which was rare for me to see using First Class.
First class mail has been trucked for at least 2 years if not more. Give thanks to that awful Mr. DeJoy who is on his way to slowing down the mail. It was he that decided to no longer use air mail to deliver first class mail especially on the west coast-east coast transactions. So Ground Advantage is a more accurate name since virtually all of the mail is trucked. I do believe (hope) that stuff going to Hawaii and Alaska eventually gets on an airplane. He also took out alot of sorting machines because "they were not needed anymore". This information came straight from my brother who has been a mail carrier for 30 years. The buyers will get used to this. I email the newer buyers on all east coast-west coast transactions.
For me, ground advantage has been working great! As a new seller, I have never used First Class, but I am really liking ground advantage. My first two packages I shipped arrived at their destination the next day. It wasn't far, but it was still a pleasant surprise.
