getting mail to sailor at GC

[Lilo54]

What is the best way to send big envelopes and packages to my son at A-school in Goose Creek.  I sent him a package (actually a big envelope) which he got a notice about today.  But, when he went to pick it up from the mail room, they couldn't find it.  Should I send packages and big envelopes UPS or require a signature?  They said they would look for it.  He had a long line behind him so he is going back tomorrow.  I had sent him a FedEx package the first week he was there and he got that one but had to have the tracking number.  Any suggestions?  

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

I sent everything via USPS -  "If it fits, it ships".  I was able to print & pay for the label online so it saved a few cents.  A large box was $15.80 and it always got there in 2 days (both to GC & then when he was in NY) and that was coming from CA!  You can check the box online to have it send you an email notification when it arrives and you can track the package.  I never had a problem sending it this way - the only problem was getting my son to go stand in line in GC.  NY wasn't an issue because it delivered to his condo/apt mailbox. 

I would fill my boxes pretty full - just make sure you tape them up real well!  You don't want it breaking open before it gets there!

I know some people have recommend getting a PO box so they don't have to wait in the long lines.....

[norcal_pops]

I have only sent my son mail via USPS. This includes USPS envelopes and boxes that all have tracking #'s. He ordered stuff from the web and it was shipped via UPS with tracking #'s. He hasn't had any problems with receiving/picking up his mail from the mail room @ GC. The only issues with the mail room pick ups, are the long lines!!  One time, he waited over an hour to pick up a package. My guess is the staff in the mail room are overwhelmed with all the love from families wanting to bring smiles to their sailors?!

[UKalltheway]

I'm still trying to figure that one out!  I say don't waste money on priority 1-3 day via USPS.  Both times I mailed boxes via that method, the boxes were actually delivered to the Goose Creek PO (which is not on base) within 3 days, however the Navy still has to pick up the mail from Goose Creek.  Both boxes sat in the Navy mail room for 2 days before my son even recvd notice he had a package.  Sending Fed Ex seems to get a more immediate response at least in my experience thus far.  I guess it depends on how important it is for your son to receive the package in a timely fashion and how much you are willing to pay.  Good luck!

[girl chief]

Ditto on USPS with a tracking number. I text the tracking number to my sailor and, so far, she has received everything we've sent. She says the mail room often has trouble finding things unless you have a tracking number.

[Lilo54]

Thanks everyone.  I realized that I had a tracking number on the receipt from USPS since I sent if priority mail.  I went to the USPS site and entered the tracking number and found it hadn't been delivered yet.  I requested text updates and this morning got one that said my package was out for delivery!!!  I guess the slip my sailor got was for another piece of mail and not the package I sent him. That explains why they couldn't find it!!!!!

girl chief - thanks I have forwarded the texts to my son so he knows the status.  By the time he finishes classes today, his package should have arrived!

B'sNukeMoM - I love the picture of the cats!!!!!

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

I always send mine USPS Priority Mail and then text or FB message the tracking # to my son when I have seen it showing that it has arrived at the destination.  It does take a few days to get a slip from the mail room, but if they have the tracking # they can go there before they get the slip.  Regular mail is another situation.  Once the letter arrives, the mail PO for their class still has to go to the PO to pick it up and bring it to the class, so it takes even longer than usual.  It's better to try to put regular mail in their next box you send unless it's urgent.  Then I would consider putting it in a Priority Mail envelope so that they can pick it up just like the packages.  My son didn't get to pick up his Valentine's Day box on time even though it arrived the day before and he had the tracking #.  He said there was a 2-hour wait in line at the PO and he didn't have that kind of time to waste.  He is DEFINITELY considering getting his own PO Box so that he doesn't have to deal with that any longer.  Also, it helps save the headache of changing class #s etc.  Since my son is almost done with A-school, he will still be there about another 8 months so it will still be worthwhile while he is still in PS.  I hope he gets it sooner rather than later!  LOL

[Lilo54]

Is it a regular post office or just a mail room.  I got a noticed that said it was delivered but I didn't know whether that was from the post office saying they delivered it to the mail room?  I know the lines are long.  That would be discouraging for sure!  I haven't heard from my son that he got it.  But, I figure he would me again if he didn't!  I did forward the texts to him.  The PO box sounds like a good suggestion.  Thanks.