Speilberg's jet completing a round trip out to the Hamptons. Was on the ground less than one hour and should be arriving back at Van Nuy's airport in another hour or so. PF hasn't seen this one in the air for quite a while now.
Chicago PD. In the rain no less.
Aging fleet is apparently developing some serious fuel leak issues that start these fires. Either that or an over abundance of retarded USPS fleet maintenance mechanics. What you have there, if you remove the postal truck body, is an early 1990s Chevy S-10 4 cylinder truck chassis. Not exactly a powerhouse, but does sip the fuel lightly. Of course if it starts leaking fuel at critical fuel line locations then you get this. Some of those lines are metal. Possibly all are. In rust belt states (road salt) they have probably rusted a very large amount by now.
If you think about it, these things basically had to be tanks, and they had to be tanks for a long time. Eventually, a company named Grumman Corporation won the contract, and the first LLV was placed into service in 1986. The last one was made in 1994. Yes, that means every mail truck (LLV style) that you see on the road is at least 22 years old.
The lifespan was originally slated to be 24 years. In 2009, the USPS changed that to 30 years.
While these were made by an aircraft engineering company that doesn’t exactly exist anymore (it is now part of the well known Northrop Grumman), they are pretty much a Chevy S10/Blazer under the aircraft-like, sheet metal exterior.
The chassis was made by General Motors, and based off of the 2WD Blazer and S10. The front suspension and instrument cluster are similar to the S-10 as well. The engine first put into the trucks was the 2.5L “Iron Duke”, and then later a General Motors 2.2L I-4 iron block/aluminum head engine. This is paired with a 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic transmission.
One would think that these would be a little more fuel efficient, but apparently they are only supposed to get around 17 miles per gallon. With the constant stop a go they are put through, it is said they get closer to 10. I guess that we have to keep in mind that these were designed at a time when MPGs were not the most standard three letters in average conversation. Let’s also keep in mind that we are talking about the US government. They always have money.
Here are some basic specs:
Engine: GM Iron Duke
Transmission: 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic transmission
Horsepower: About 90hp
0-60 MPH: Approximately 17 seconds
Top Speed: Supposedly about 75 MPH
Wheelbase: 8 ft 4.5 in (2.553 m)
Length: 14 ft 7.5 in (4.458 m)
Width: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Height: 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Curb weight: 2,700 lb (1,200 kg)
https://www.therandomautomotive.com/2016/02/us-mail-truck-specs.html
The truck engine stalled during the mail carrier’s route on Bright Road, Pickett said. The carrier restarted it and smoke appeared as he called his supervisor, Pickett said.
http://www.postal-reporter.com/blog/ohio-some-mail-damaged-in-postal-truck-fire/
Yeah it stalled because the engine no longer had fuel pressure as it was all being pumped out the broken fuel line.
I'm sure there is a routine inspection protocol for all these vehicles at the USPS. But is it being followed? It's really hard to to maintain metal parts on the underside of a vehicle in certain geographic regions. Arizona is great for not having rust issues. But in regions where they put down a lot road salt every winter it's terrible how rapidly the underside of a vehicle will deteriorate. Side note: Many, if not all, vehicle manufacturers have switched to hard plastic/nylon fuel lines on moar modern vehicles. Anon does not really blame GM for this because anon is sure that GM had no say in extending the fleet life cycle to 30 years. In fact, if asked, they probably would have recommended that not be done.
7 Cyber Defendants, Including "Apt41" Actors, Charged in Connection w/ Computer Intrusion Campaigns
Wow. So these Chicomm cyber criminals would hack into a software company and inject malicious code into their product. And this would give them a backdoor into the systems of that software company's customers. They also penetrated the online gaming industry. Maybe the CCP has those game chat logs? The DS must be shitting themselves right now. Q said to watch events these two weeks. Anon believes this is clearly one of those events.
There was a slight inaccuracy in the press conference. Maybe moar of an omission. They talked about the cyber criminals co-operating with CCP intelligence services. But failed to mention that they are REQUIRED to by Chinese law.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/remarks-deputy-attorney-general-jeffrey-rosen-announcement-charges-and-arrests-computer
Hey anons. Can you clear something up for me? What country does Codemonkey Ron live in? Phillipines, Malaysia? USA?
Saw on his twatter that he is feeling better and he thanked everyone for all the kind words.
Was looking at the furniture. Looks like a waiting room at a small airport? Maybe in USVI?
Well, wherever he is, anon hopes his appendix continues to behave itself. Or, heaven forbid, if he does need a doctor that he has access to a very good one.
Arkansas.
The rise of WalMart. (early adopter of the import of Chinese products on a massive scale)
And Wen Ho Lee.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wen_Ho_Lee
We'll give it a go top of next bread then.
I'm in Texas and would only admire from afar. And continue to evaluate her social media output.