# UPS delivers a drone to an unexpecting guy in Montana **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 6, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768 "2014-05-06T01:36:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/21 "2014-05-06T15:40:27Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It’s still a little odd that they ship this stuff via UPS. > [@Zebra](#): > > How else would they ship it? FedEx? How about USPS since it is a quasi-governmental agency and all. Seems they should keep it ‘in house’ so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![TheSeaOtter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed655f/32.png) [@TheSeaOtter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSeaOtter)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/22 "2014-05-06T15:46:56Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > It’s probably a gigantic cost savings to ship via a commercial carrier or USPS rather than send a government employee out in a truck to drive a single box somewhere in-state/out-of-state/cross-country, especially when not dealing with classified tech. Considering most people’s general impression of government spending, that’s a positive thing. Yeah, you can just imagine the complaints - “Not only are they wasting $400,000 on a drone to watch seals, they spent $850.75 delivering it! Why, I could get UPS to drop that thing off for $73.12! Heck, it can fly, why doesn’t it deliver itself?” ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/23 "2014-05-06T16:12:24Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > How about USPS since it is a quasi-governmental agency and all. Seems they should keep it ‘in house’ so to speak. Why shouldn’t they go with the cheaper option? ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/24 "2014-05-06T16:31:34Z")
Who says UPS is the cheaper option? It never has been in my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/25 "2014-05-06T16:47:02Z")
> [@TheSeaOtter](#): > > Heck, it can fly, why doesn’t it deliver itself?" It can, but when it sends missiles into weddings on the way, there’s a good chance it will be _white_ people getting killed, and not just brown people. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/26 "2014-05-06T16:49:36Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > It can, but when it sends missiles into weddings on the way, there’s a good chance it will be _white_ people getting killed, and not just brown people. I really hope that NOAA isn’t using armed drones. Can you blow up a tornado? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/27 "2014-05-06T16:56:00Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I really hope that NOAA isn’t using armed drones. Can you blow up a tornado? Well, they need to start, dammit. They’re my tax dollars, and I want to see a twister getting blown to shit. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/28 "2014-05-06T16:56:08Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I really hope that NOAA isn’t using armed drones. Can you blow up a tornado? Probably, if you can find a stable place to stand still in the middle of a funnel cloud. Not to any noticeable effect, though. And you’re really a lot safer if you go to a shelter. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/29 "2014-05-06T17:11:24Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Why shouldn’t they go with the cheaper option? Security? It may not be the latest in uber-spy-drones but it’s still an expensive piece of kit. _I_ wouldn’t ship anything worth $400 grand via UPS. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/30 "2014-05-06T17:12:16Z")
**SHARKNADO II: REVENGE of the DRONES** ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/31 "2014-05-06T17:17:27Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > How about USPS since it is a quasi-governmental agency and all. Seems they should keep it ‘in house’ so to speak. I’m thinking of the oft used phrase “Going postal” and the implications there of. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/32 "2014-05-06T17:32:49Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Who says UPS is the cheaper option? It never has been in my experience. The drone in the article looks somewhat large. The post office in my experience does not ship packages over 70 pounds. For bigger things you need a company like UPS. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/33 "2014-05-06T17:57:23Z")
As things get heavier, UPS starts becoming the source for shipping (although above 150lbs you might starting thinking freight company) Parcel Post (now Parcel Select) might be a bit cheaper but has little to no tracking. The hardware is not irreplaceable, so UPS insurance should be used to cover costs. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/34 "2014-05-06T18:18:04Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I really hope that NOAA isn’t using armed drones. Can you blow up a tornado? Not if you don’t try. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/35 "2014-05-06T18:35:38Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Well, they need to start, dammit. They’re my tax dollars, and I want to see a twister getting blown to shit. I’ve rethought my stance. I want to see the effect of explosions on all kinds of weather phenomena. Arm the NWS now! Give the local news weatherman a rocket launcher too. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/36 "2014-05-06T18:43:39Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I really hope that NOAA isn’t using armed drones. Can you blow up a tornado? This should be in General Questions. 😃😉 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/37 "2014-05-06T19:14:18Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I really hope that NOAA isn’t using armed drones. Can you blow up a tornado? In the UK, Tornado [blows up you](http://api.ning.com/files/zO75k*mgT67qzqe165fgQjAYbXIxkx8ymwbIitVqtvCeZwu4mi7U6D0HfaoFc4GeBTxq1QE9GMGWv7BvS60cm7oJDoe0Q3fC/damn.jpg)! ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/38 "2014-05-06T21:10:44Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I want to see the effect of explosions on all kinds of weather phenomena. Arm the NWS now! Recently in GQ: [Can we kill a hurricane?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=722313) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/39 "2014-05-07T08:40:22Z")
Keep the real one. When they come knocking say,[“Drone? Drone?? Sure, I got it right here.”](http://www.tmart.com/Hubsan-X4-H107C-2.4G-4CH-RC-Quadcopter-With-Camera-RTF_p226129.html?fixed_price=us_us&utm_source=base&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=14004982&utm_campaign=product&gclid=CJzF3be0mb4CFY6RfgodzbcAug) ---
**Author:** ![Latro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@Latro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768/40 "2014-05-07T11:23:33Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > kamikazi sharks Kamika_ **ze** _. Really, you anglophones should try and figure out what the alfabet is for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-delivers-a-drone-to-an-unexpecting-guy-in-montana/687768.md?page=3)