View Full Version : Mail Drop Delivery by Drone?
I was thinking about this the other day. Is this possible? Thru-hikers often setup mail drops at post offices. With Amazon discussing the possibility of delivering things you buy via Drone, what are the chances that mail drops to thru-hikers could be delivered via drone too? Seems feasible. Is anyone planning this or building something around the idea?
No, no no. A thousand times no. I'm no Luddite and I don't care for guns but I'd be all for shooting down such drones on sight.
Sarcasm the elf
08-27-2015, 15:05
No it won't be a thing. Drones are both a nusiance and a potential danger to others, they are already banned on a large portion of the trail (certain federal lands) and as they continue to gain popularity, they will inevitably either be banned or become properly regulated.
Besides, have you actually thought about the logistics and cost of trying to have someone get close enough to the trail to remotely fly a drone into a heavily forested area without crashing or missing the drop zone? This is really a solution in search of a problem. It would be far cheaper and easier just to have someone meet you at roadcrossings with supplies.
On a side note, here's an article about how idiots with drones were recently putting lives at risk by preventing firefighters from fighting wildfires.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33593981
volleypc
08-27-2015, 15:06
I was thinking about this the other day. Is this possible? Thru-hikers often setup mail drops at post offices. With Amazon discussing the possibility of delivering things you buy via Drone, what are the chances that mail drops to thru-hikers could be delivered via drone too? Seems feasible. Is anyone planning this or building something around the idea?
Drones are not allowed on the Appalachian Trail or any National Park for that matter without a special use permit.
SteelCut
08-27-2015, 15:14
No, no no. A thousand times no. I'm no Luddite and I don't care for guns but I'd be all for shooting down such drones on sight.
+1. This would be the only reason I'd ever carry a gun on the AT :D
I ws just thinking it would be skeet shooting with prizes.
Starchild
08-27-2015, 18:26
It will come. It's just a transition time, figuring out how they fit in, improving the safety of operations and who's pockets will be lined to allow it. While it may not revolutionize the trail with hiker shelter pizza delivery, it may (almost certainly IMHO) play a specialty role such as providing emergency supplies and medications, but who knows.
As for the shoot them down crowd, non-issue. Video evidence of discharging a firearm into the air for the purpose of destruction of property, possibly with reckless disregard for human life if other people are in the area, because they don't like it will not fly, you can not destroy other people's things because you don't like them. Not saying that some will not shoot them down, but it will be shoot at a drone, go to jail type of thing as already happened: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/man-shoots-neighbors-drone_55bf8127e4b0d4f33a034e31 so enough of a disincentive, and these things can be expected to be videoing everything. Also if they want to push it this far, destruction of a aircraft is a very serious federal offense: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/32
Yankee15
08-27-2015, 18:43
Macafee's knob would be a great place for a drop, there's usually 50 people up there to catch it. Same with clingmans, mt washington (if it doesn't blow away)
No, no no. A thousand times no. I'm no Luddite and I don't care for guns but I'd be all for shooting down such drones on sight.
plus a whole bunch
As for the shoot them down crowd, non-issue.... Also if they want to push it this far, destruction of a aircraft is a very serious federal offense: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/32
Fine, I won't shoot at it - I don't have a gun anyhow. But if it gets close enough, I'll stab it with my poles. Even better, I'll moon it.... that will leave a lasting scar on the operator.
Feral Bill
08-27-2015, 22:17
It will come. It's just a transition time, figuring out how they fit in, improving the safety of operations and who's pockets will be lined to allow it. While it may not revolutionize the trail with hiker shelter pizza delivery, it may (almost certainly IMHO) play a specialty role such as providing emergency supplies and medications, but who knows.
As for the shoot them down crowd, non-issue. Video evidence of discharging a firearm into the air for the purpose of destruction of property, possibly with reckless disregard for human life if other people are in the area, because they don't like it will not fly, you can not destroy other people's things because you don't like them. Not saying that some will not shoot them down, but it will be shoot at a drone, go to jail type of thing as already happened: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/man-shoots-neighbors-drone_55bf8127e4b0d4f33a034e31 so enough of a disincentive, and these things can be expected to be videoing everything. Also if they want to push it this far, destruction of a aircraft is a very serious federal offense: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/32
So, we wait until they land and beat them into rubble with big sticks? Seems like a viable choice.
rocketsocks
08-27-2015, 22:18
Is the technology there? Sure, but it's also ridiculously unnecessary.
BirdBrain
08-27-2015, 22:58
I have had a few drones deliver my mail to other homes. The guy in mt neighborhood now is great. I hope he never retires.
Okay... what were we talking about?
BirdBrain
08-27-2015, 22:58
Crap! Double post.