acceptance point

One of two locations (Anchorage and Fairbanks) where bypass mail is accepted from shippers and tendered to air carriers for transportation.

AMF

Airport mail facility.

BPRA

Bypass Palletized Rate Application.

bush point

A remote Alaska location associated with a geographically related hub point (see Appendix C.).

bush rate

One of the rate classes established by the Department of Transportation for the transportation of intra-Alaska mail. Bush rate mail is distinguished by the size of the aircraft used to transport it — aircraft having a payload capacity up to and including 7,500 pounds. The bush rate class includes multiple rates depending on the bush aircraft classification (Part 121 and Part 135) and landing capabilities (Short Runway Part 121 and Seaplane).

bypass mail

Standard mail that is prepared by an authorized bypass mail shipper and that bypasses Postal Service processing. It is tendered directly to an intra-Alaska air carrier for delivery directly to the addressee under prescribed guidelines and conditions.

Note: This definition is unique to the Alaska bypass mail process and should not be confused with “bypass mail” as defined in Publication 32, Glossary of Postal Terms.

bypass order

A shipment of bypass mail that is prepared and entered by an authorized bypass mail shipper at an air carrier’s facility at an authorized acceptance point.

Bypass Palletized Rate Application (BPRA)

For Alaska bypass mail, prices are calculated by dividing the total weight of the shipment by 70 (subject to the maximum weight restriction), rounding that sum to the nearest one hundredth, and multiplying the rounded number by the appropriate Alaska bypass price for the zone to which the parcel is addressed. For example:

[(Pallet Weight) – (Pallet Tare Weight)] / 70 = N (rounded to the nearest one hundreth)

N multiplied by (Zone Applicable Rate) = Price

certificated

A term used to refer to an air carrier awarded a certificate under 49 U.S.C. 41102 or 41103.

composite rate

The rate paid to a bush air carrier for a direct flight from an acceptance point to a bush destination beyond a hub point. A single origin terminal handling is paid at the bush terminal handling rate.

DMM

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®).

DOT

United States Department of Transportation.

equalized rates

Rates that apply when an air carrier using bush aircraft elects to equalize to a lower rate in a market or a composite rate.

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration.

GCM

Great circle miles.

great circle statute miles

The shortest or most direct line of air travel between an origin and a destination point.

hub point

An intermediate point for mail transportation between the origin and a final bush destination. Each hub point serves geographically associated bush points. A hub point may also be a final destination.

interline

A reference indicating movement between origin and destination by connecting schedules of two or more air carriers.

intra-Alaska

A term indicating “within the state of Alaska.”

intra-Alaska interlining

The transportation procedure used to route mail from an origin to a hub point with Postal Service routing instructions to the originating air carrier for transfer of mail to a designated bush air carrier for onward movement to a bush destination.

intraline

A term indicating movement between origin and destination by connecting schedules of the same air carrier.

irregularities

Failures by air carriers or their agents to comply with Postal Service rules, regulations, and requirements related to handling mail transported by aircraft.

Label AK-53

Postal Intra-Alaska Routing Label generated from S-AMS Alaska.

letter of certification

A letter submitted by an air carrier to the Western Area Distribution Networks, Denver (WADN, Denver) containing certain details regarding the substitution of a scheduled aircraft when that substitution affects the rate of pay.

mainline rate

One of the rate classes established by the DOT for the transportation of intra-Alaska mail. Mainline rate mail is distinguished by the size of the aircraft used to transport it — aircraft having a payload capacity over 7,500 pounds.

MTE

Mail transport equipment. MTE is a system of containers (including sacks, pouches, trays, wheeled containers, pallets, etc.) used to contain mail during processing or transportation within or between facilities by the Postal Service, its customers, or contractors.

National Air and Surface System (NASS)

A Postal Service computer application that produces dispatch and labeling information for all mail classes.

non-priority rate service mail

In Alaska, mail transported by the air carrier at a non-priority rate of compensation. It includes bypass mail and Standard Mail^® items.

NOP

No-office point — i.e., a location where there is no Postal Service facility or Postal Service personnel.

OAG

The organization that accepts and publishes air carrier schedules in the Official Airline Guide.

Note: Both the organization and the guide are often referred to as “OAG.”

offset rule

A regulation concerning non-priority bypass mail volumes flown on direct mainline flights to bush points. This regulation is required by 39 U.S.C. 5402(g)(2)(b).

order

See “bypass order.”

P&DC

Processing and distribution center.

priority rate service mail

In Alaska, mail transported by the air carrier at a priority rate of compensation. It includes Express Mail^®, Priority Mail^®, and First-Class Mail^® items.

RSIA

See “Rural Service Improvement Act of 2002.”

Rural Service Improvement Act of 2002

A statute amending 39 U.S.C. 5402 with respect to the transportation of mail by air in Alaska.

S-AMS Alaska

Surface-Air Management System Alaska. A Postal Service computer application that controls the dispatch and tender of non-priority service rate mail.

St. Louis Accounting Service Center

The Postal Service office responsible for maintaining payroll records and providing compensation to air carriers for services performed.

Western Area Distribution Networks (WADN), Denver

The Postal Service office responsible for overseeing the transportation networks to ensure mail flow efforts, inclusive of all transportation accountability in the Alaska District.