Wednesday, 13 February 2002 : "segway tradeoffs"

* Packing a load of 325 pounds, including the weight of the driver, the transporters allowed carriers to deliver much more mail between trips back to the mail truck.

* Instead of sorting mail as they walked, carriers had to focus on driving.

Carrier Chris Pesa, who works a route north of downtown, at first claimed he could deliver mail faster on foot. That was before he got used to the scooter. "Right now, I'm as fast as the machine." The difference, Pesa said, is the transporter is a lot easier on his feet. "When I was walking, by the end of the week, my feet would really be sore," he said. "Now, it actually feels like I've got a little spring in my step."