dave........our height in mail volume was 213 billion pieces in year 2006? i think. last year it was 170 billion pieces and they are predicting 166 billion pieces this year. of course, on certain routes in certain zip codes, there may be growth in volume, but nationally, mail volume is down, way down. my kids will never send a letter. it is all electronic now. some kids, do not even know how to address a letter because they have never done it. my wife works for a school district. they will pay all bills online and have every deposit directed into their account electronically. the credit card companies cut back 75% of their solicitations last year and the housing market is still on the bubble. if your route has overtime 4 to 6 days/week, certainly you qualify for a special?