Conference 7.286::digital

    OK, I concede...although I can guess what a demand shuttle might
    be, the concept seems like an oxymoron.  Could someone tell me what
    it is, why I might want to use it, and what constitutes misuse?
    
    Thanks,
    BobW
    
    ps, I guess a demand shuttle is like a courier service or chauffer
    service that one can summon to take objects (or themselves) between
    arbitrary DEC locations in the Ma/NH area.

        Bob, you're essentially correct.  "Demand Shuttle" is a way
        to get paper mail and similar materials quickly between one
        facility and another.  I'm amazed/amused that it costs as much
        as it does (in internal charges), since there's a fairly large
        volume of material that gets moved this way.
        
        It also reflects on the way we use computers in this company
        that much of the material that's moved around on paper could
        be much more effectively transmitted, often in less time, by
        electronic means.  Sigh..
        
        Tom

On the other hand, I didn't know it cost anything.  My impression was 
that, since the shuttles run anyway, the incremental cost was 0 and 
was billed at close to that

/jeff (who learned something today)

    Than again, not all facilities have a FAX.  Here at ZKO, if I want to
    FAX something, I have to take it to NUO.  Yuck.
    
    Is there even a "demand shuttle" service to ZKO?
    
    				Steve

        re .5
        
        ZKO is listed in the internal phone book as having fax facilities.
        The fax number is 881-0120 and it has a (human) contact point at
        DTN 381-1059.
        
        q
        

    Another reason for using the demand shuttle is the time it takes
    for things to go from one facility to another, depending on where
    the facility is.  I need to get things to STOW.  The last Interoffice
    mail took 9 days to get from ZK3 to OGO.  It had to be hard copy,
    and it had to have certain original signatures.  This is a fairly
    regular occurrence.  So, if it is timely information, we drive it
    ourselves, or use the demand shuttle when necessary.

    Doesn't the existence of the Demand shuttle send a signal to mail
    services?  They're too slow or inneffienent perhaps?  Sometimes
    we need something to get there in a hurry so the shuttle can
    be justified.  But if it happens alot then there is a problem
    that needs fixin'
    
    
    
    Sometimes constructive critisism can be taken, sometimes not.  Lets
    hope this time it is.
    
    
    Bryan

    	The chopper is also a good way to xfer info.  It gives that
    personal touch, and allows interactivtivity (over coffee) between
    proactive groups ensuring expidited success.  
    
    Keith

        But isn't there are charge back for use of the chopper that would
        exceed the cost of the "Demand Shuttle". Perhaps what we need is a
        small mail satchel in the chopper.
        
        q

       
       
       
       	Perhaps what we need is a division of the mail services group
       that does something like Federal Express rather than all these
       different methods.. It's clearly THEIR responsiblity..
       
       							mike

        We were just discussing this, since I tried to get a "mileage"
        expense form signed by our finance person (who has signature
        authority for our cost center), and was told I needed my "direct
        manager's" signature.  My direct manager is in UPO; I'm in MKO.
        When I asked the group manager's secretary how I should go about
        getting the paperwork handled in a timely manner, she suggested I
        "demand shuttle" it from MKO to UPO.  I pointed out that, at $50
        each way, that would be more expensive than the total amount of
        the expenses; she told me it's only $16 each way.  Even so, I can
        drive down and back for $22.75 (mileage and tolls), not counting
        my time. 
        
        Our secretary mentioned that she had sent some materials via
        interoffice mail from MKO to AKO last Thursday; they still have
        not arrived.  When she called the AKO mailroom, they said they had
        12 sacks of interoffice mail to sort through. 
        
        I suspect at least part of the problem is that we don't seem to
        provide for a distinction between "express", "first-class", and
        "bulk" mailings in the way internal mail is handled. 
        
        Later this afternoon, I'm planning to hand-carry some materials
        down to TTB, since I want it in the hands of the recipients sooner
        rather than later. 
        
        Sigh..
        
        Tom

There is no charge back for helicopter flights in Eastern Massachusetts/Southern
New Hampshire.

Facilities having chopper service pay for the service.

But if you think demand shuttle is expensive, try demand chopper...

/john

    I also thought the chopper had to be booked ahead several weeks!
    
    At least, that's what I experienced when I needed to xfr my bod
    from class (bedford) to airport one friday.
    
    Bruce

     It depends on where you want to fly and to were you want to fly how
     early you have to book. Also what time of day. Airport trips seem to
     book faster then some plant to plant trips. Also I seems like the
     choppers don't fly as many trips as they used to. Once upon a time
     (10 years ago) there were daily flights between NIO and Wesminster
     for example. Now they only fly on demand to NIO.

                      Alfred

And speaking of money thrown away (well, sort of, you have to get the job
done!) ...

As I understand it, Digital demand shuttle does not guarantee a direct
origination-to-destination delivery.  Due to their prescribed routes, your
package might go back to Northboro and then be routed back out from that hub.
(Am I right?)

I am a frequent user of EXTERNAL couriers - sometimes it has to get where
it's going in the next 3 hours, guaranteed.  These guys aren't perfect either,
but at least their mission in life is to get it directly from A to B.

    re .16.
    
    Actually, as I understand it, _every_ package you send via Federal
    Express goes through a central point somewhere in the midwest.
    It's conceivable that an overnight delivery from Maynard to Salem
    (for instance) would fly to the midwest, get sorted along with all
    the other FedEx packages, then fly back and get delivered the next
    day.
    
    	Of course,  if you're talking about local couriers,  they obviously
    do the job by going directly from Point A to Point B.
    
    -Don-

    Here in New York we don't have a DEMAND shuttle (as far as I know).
    I have observed an interesting phenomena with internal mail that
    seems to follow the unexplainable patterns one sees when dealing
    with the U.S. Postal service. I requested something from a colleague
    in L.A. and received it in 2 days via internal mail. As many times
    as I have used internal mail to go from Long Island to Westchester
    it has taken a week or longer to arrive at the destination. Curious
    as I am I don't think I want to know the reasons why that is so;
    knowing why might be worse than the experience.
    

    Someone said the choppers should have a "demand stachel". Well they
    do. I've used it a number of times.
    
    If you need to get a package between sites with helicopter pads just
    bring the package to the helicopter pad nearest you and indicate
    on it where and who the packages are for. The limitation is that
    the packages will only go to other sites with a helicopter pad and
    which the chopter is going to anyhow.
    
    A few times I have had stuff sent from MKO to PKO. All you do is
    put your package in the little building to the right of the MKO
    helicopter pad and raise the little red flag. The chopper pilots
    look for the red flag and if it is up will take the package out
    and bring it to PKO (or wherever). You should probably call and
    make sure the chopper will be going where you need before leaving
    a package there.
    
    -Glenn- 

    Gosh, it sounds as though somebody ought to get the Truth out to
    the masses about the costs of these services and the problems!
    
    Another bit of "misuse" of Demand Shuttle:  the Digital Library
    Network sends out overdue notices for books and materials that are
    not returned on time.  At some point along the way, a notice which
    indicates that IF the material is NOT returned, a replacment/processing
    fine of $100 will be charged against the culprit's cost center.
    Some people panic when they receive these and return the material
    by Demand Shuttle, thus DEFINITELY incurring half the expense that
    they only MIGHT incur if the material never comes back.  The
    appropriate response to this letter (if you still have something
    out) is to phone the library or send mail saying the material is
    being returned by interoffice mail immediately. (And then place
    the material in the mail, of course!)  In some cases (and you will
    be told this by phone if you check) there is an immediate need for
    an overdue item (usually a video tape required for a scheduled meeting)
    and in those special cases Demand Shuttle is appropriate.
    
    (Are you sure the DECcie-coptors are free?  Last time I worked as
    a temp secretary a couple of years ago there was a charge for booking
    them, I'm sure of it!)
    
    Sherry

        I called our mail room to ask about demand shuttle charges, and
        they referred me to a number in (MLO?PKO? 223-5566), which is the
        group that operates the "Demand Shuttle" service.  I was informed
        that the exact charge depends on the source and destination, and
        whether it's handled on their "regularly scheduled" vans or on a
        special, do-it-now, point-to-point service.  For "regular" service
        in the Greater Maynard Area (eastern MA, southern NH) the maximum
        charge is $15.00.  Trips outside the area (e.g., to Augusta, ME)
        can cost more.  They don't run to, e.g., the Left Coast, so if you
        want it to get to Los Angeles overnight, you use Federal Express
        or the like, for which your cost center pays the real charges. 
        
        I also called Aviation Services.  There is no charge back to the
        employee's cost center provided the employee actually flies on the
        scheduled trip.  For "no show" bookings, there is a $150 charge
        back.  If you want a non-scheduled ("demand") helicopter trip, it
        is charged at an hourly rate, which differs depending on the size
        (and hence, operating cost) of the aircraft needed to provide the
        service.  (I believe that the "no show" charges are waived for the
        flights from Logan Airport to various facilities, since the usual
        reason for not flying on these is that your airline flight didn't
        arrive.  Since you book the helicopter through your local site's
        American Express travel agent, they should remind you to change
        your chopper flight if you change your return flight into Logan.) 
        
        Tom

    Sherry, why are those library overdue notices sent out hard copy
    when electronic mail would be quicker and easier to respond to?
                                                  
    Save the hard copies for those who aren't easily accessible on line.
    
    (I get lots of them, I admit -- I think my cost center manager would
    like to revoke my library privileges -- sigh.)