I plan to send a package tomorrow (4/23/08) to someone whose assignment is scheduled to end in mid-June '08.  While I fully expect the package to arrive before they leave, I've seen some stories in the threads about slow delivery times delaying shipments.  Is there any suggested cut-off period for sending packages when their (scheduled) departure date is approaching?   I'd hate for the package to get there and they have just left.

I seem to recall one story on the boards where a package traveled half-way around the world and back, following the person all the way back home to the USA.

It does happen that the contacts and their units leave earlier than is posted because one of our packages went to Iraq and then came back to their base in Colorado.  Fortunately, it was shelf-stable snacks that they could consume after they got back, and the contact was nice enough to write us and let us know what happened.  I think he got a charge out of it.

That said, we normally time our last packages to ship about 6 weeks before the time listed on their web page for leaving there unless there is some kind of urgent request for something they are in dire need of, which is seldom.  Hope this helps.  That is what we have done for 3 years.

Gran

Gran:

we normally time our last packages to ship about 6 weeks before the time listed on their web page for leaving there unless there is some kind of urgent request Gran

Thanks for the advice Gran.  6 weeks sounds like a good rule of thumb.  This group (Contact: Qymesha R Pyatt) is small but seem like such a nice group of people. They have a photo posted of the unit and a photo of a camel.  They were very thankful for what they had receieved, and with them leaving in 2 months this may have been the last request they ever put in. 

I agree with Gran and I also keep in mind that they are already packing to come home so I try to send things they will eat-up, use-up or leave for their replacements.

I do the same, Michelle. 

It is very helpful to be in touch by email because it is easier to have an accurate departure time and mail cut-off date.  When down to the last two months I check with them on those dates and ship accordingly.  It is helpful to have tracked the usual time it has taken mail to get from me to them.  There can be delivery glitches, of course, but if most packages have taken 8 - 10 days to get there, I can usually count on something pretty close to that for the final delivery.