Why People Have To Laugh At USPS, Why Does Texas Package Go Across the Planet? Options

[914Sixer]

I was tracking a package due in Saturday. Seems that it went on a long trip in the wrong direction.

[davep]

I'm getting an education in the phrasing of the tracking commentary.
A book purchased in the UK to be delivered in Canada quickly made it to the delivered stage, but apparently in the UK. I initially thought that they screwed it up. But several days later an update showed it was crossing the pond and eventually made it to me.
A few other packages from the USA also had significant delays (a week to 10 days) just sitting around until they began to move. Most get "delivered" to some intermediate point before they begin a new start on their journey; this is often a point where it crosses a border.
Some courier services actually use the post office as the final delivery stage. It may say "delivered" but nothing is on my doorstep; a little extra digging and I find it is in my PO box.
Or, a courier shows a package is delivered at such & such a time; nothing there; but a day later does show up. Surprise!
Needless to say, I now take the tracking commentary with a large grain of salt (about the size of the Bonneville salt flats).