Upon accepting mail, the air carrier verifies that all mail tendered is destined for points on its system, or is coded for interline transfer at a point on its system.
Note: For the purposes of verification, a direct pallet is considered a single piece.
If it is necessary at the origin to break down a direct pallet destined for a hub point or bush destination, the air carrier is required to affix Label AK-53 with correct transfer routings to each piece separated from the pallet. The original Label AK-53 remains with the pieces still at the origin until the entire shipment has been moved to its final destination.
A no-office point (NOP — pronounced as individual letters like “USA”) is a location where there is no Postal Service facility or Postal Service personnel. The NOP community identifies and appoints an individual as the agent responsible for receipt and dispatch of mail. In order to receive mail service, an NOP community must qualify under Alaska District guidelines. Qualification status is subject to periodic review and may also be initiated by a change in circumstances at the community. An NOP is subject to termination if a community no longer meets qualifications.
Each of the following has a responsibility for mail delivered at an NOP:
- Administrative Post Office: The administrative official at the serving hub point Post Office must make prior arrangements with community representatives for follow-up procedures for the disposition of mail.
- Community: At an NOP, the community must provide a shelter (shed, container, lean-to, etc.) adjacent to the aircraft ramp area to protect the mail if the air carrier must leave it unattended.
- Air Carrier: If an NOP fails to provide a shelter for mail, the air carrier must return the mail to the origin office and report the event to the administrative official of the dispatching office. Also, at an NOP, the air carrier can accept outgoing mail as long as it bears correct postage.
Each of the following has a responsibility for mail transferred at an NOP:
- Community: A representative of the local NOP designated by the community delivers the mail to the airport.
- Air Carrier: The authorized air carrier accepts mail made available at the airport for air dispatch.
- Administrative Post Office: If the pilot is not an authorized agent of the addressee, the administrative official at the Post Office serving the NOP holds all accountable mail (Registered Mail items, Certified Mail® items, etc.).
The air carrier transporting the mail from the NOP to the hub point must prepare a load manifest.
The administrative official at a non-automated site serving the NOP must verify and list the weights on PS Form 2729-A for payment. Automated sites serving the NOP must enter the weights into the S-AMS Alaska system for payment.
