The term "first-class mail by air" (FCM) is used to describe first-class mail, other than airmail and air parcel post, which is authorized for transportation by aircraft between designated points on a space-available, nonpriority basis. The mail to be included is:

(a) All mail paid at first-class rate, including business reply mail, APO1 and FPO1mail.

(b) All official U.S. Government mail endorse "first class," including APO1 and FPO1mail.

(c) All other sealed official U.S. Government letter-size mail except volume shipments on which it is known, or can be determined, the mailer does not expect air service.

(d) Inbound military official mail and FCM (personal) from APO1 and FPO1 units may be properly included in airlift dispatches over all authorized segments. § 534.2 Authority, rates, and service.

(a) Civil Aeronautics Board. The CAB establishes the rates to be paid air carriers for the transportation of FCM.

(b) Post Office Department—(1) Authorizations. Authorizations for dispatch of FCM are made by the Bureau of Transportation and International Serv

ices.

(2) Interline transfers-(1) Trunkline and cargo air carriers. (a) FCM will not be tendered by any postal unit

1 Authorized airlift of "SAM" letters and cards have been established over designated domestic segments. See § 127.1(e) (1) of this chapter for overseas handling.

if an intermediate transfer to another air carrier would be required to provide transportation to the intended destination unless such interline transfers have been mutually agreed to by the carriers involved and the Department.

(b) Single carrier service between any authorized points is believed inadequate, and an interline transfer of value is available, the transportation division in the dispatching region will request the Air Transportation Branch to consider the possibility of arranging with the carriers involved for establishment of such a mutually agreeable interline transfer.

(c) Full particulars will be furnished to all concerned by the Air Transportation Branch whenever interline transfers are agreed upon.

(d) Through interchange flights, operated by two or more carriers, shall not be considered as interline transfers.

(e) See § 534.3(a) (4) (ii) for instructions concerning transfers to another air carrier which may be directed when mail has been irregularly handled.

(ii) Local service air carriers. No interline transfers in ordinary circumstances are authorized between local service air carriers or between trunkline and local service air carriers. See § 534.3 (a) (4) (ii) (b) and (c) concerning permissible interline transfers between any domestic air carriers when service has been interrupted.

(c) Division of FCM-(1) When to make. When two or more authorized carriers operate between the same pair of points, and the criteria shown in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph exists, the FCM shall be divided on an equitable basis by the dispatching unit with due consideration to the availability of space and the needs of the postal service.

(2) Criteria for division—(i) Volume. (a) The total volume of FCM for each separate destination point, arriving at the airport of dispatch via each vehicle service (VS) or mail messenger (MM) truck, will be considered in the division.

(b) No division will be warranted unless 200 or more pounds are available for dispatch. However, the local postal unit will endeavor to assign the shipments alternately to the available carriers having space to prevent one carrier consistently receiving less than division lots.

(11) Air carrier schedules. (a) Carriers eligible to participate in a division of FCM arriving at an airport by each VS or MM are those which have any scheduled service to the destination city within a 4-hour period thereafter, regardless of arrival time.

(b) Generally, at major points, this 4-hour period will commence no later than 60 minutes after arrival at the airport of the VS or MM trip. At smaller stations, the time period may commence immediately on arrival of the surface connection at the airport. The director, transportation division, of the region having jurisdiction of the dispatching postal unit will establish the appropriate time period which will apply at that point and notify all concerned.

(c) Whenever FCM is available for dispatch, and no flights are scheduled to a destination during the next 4-hour period, the usual division of FCM will not apply. In these circumstances, the FCM will be divided among those carriers having service scheduled to depart within 90 minutes following the period of no service.

(d) The regular Origin and Destination Schedules will be used to determine the availability of scheduled service. In the event an air carrier desires to have other schedules included (e.g., trips involving an intraline transfer or multiple stops), this information must be submitted to the director, transportation division, having jurisdiction, with copies to the competitive carriers. Schedules of this type will be included with those in the Origin and Destination Schedules by the director, transportation division, in determining the proper allocations of FCM. Although it will not be necessary for these schedules to be published in the Origin and Destination Schedules, they may, if desired, be included by preceding the listing with an ampersand (&).

(e) An air carrier can participate in a division of FCM on only those days when there is scheduled service by that carrier within the specified 4-hour period.

(f) When one air carrier has service arriving in time for connection to a letter carrier delivery trip not provided by competing carriers, the division shall be accomplished by dispatch of the city pouches to that carrier. Usually, the dispatch of city pouches by one carrier and

the dispatch of AMF or Dis pouches by another carrier, or carriers, will accomplish an equitable division. When the routing of city mail by one carrier, or to one airport in multiple airport situations, is advantageous to the postal service, no division will be made of the city mail even though this results in an unequal tender to one carrier.

(g) An air carrier participating in a division of FCM having knowledge that he will be unable to transport such mail within the specified 4-hour period is required to notify the local postal unit before the division is made. Observance of this requirement will permit equitable division between carriers without loss of space availability.

(h) Adjustments in each separate division will be made when there are air carrier schedule changes involving establishment, revision, or elimination of particular flights which warrant such action.

(iii) Multiple airport cities—(a) At origin point. The division will be determined separately at each airport involved.

(b) At destination point. (i) FCM for a destination point which is a multiple airport city will be considered as a single total and those carriers with any service scheduled during the specified 4-hour period from the origin point to any one of the destination airports shall participate in the division. In the event the receiving region desires routing to a particular airport, as described in subdivision (11) of this section, an equal division will be made only to the extent possible while still providing service to the airport specified.

(ii) All FCM cannot be handled interchangeably at different airports to equal advantage. The director, transportation division, of the receiving region will determine what arrangements may be necessary to assure receipt at the most advantageous airport. (Example: the dispatch of pouches of New Jersey FCM labeled to "Newark, N.J., Dis" may not be desired to Kennedy or La Guardia airports when following service is available to the Newark airport.)

(iv) Stockpiling FCM. Postal units will make local arrangements with air carriers for stockpiling FCM when it is mutually advantageous and agreeable.

(a) Air carriers-(1) Transportation on space-available basis. Air carriers will transport FCM on a voluntary, spaceavailable basis to the destination shown on the dispatch record and pouch label. The CAB order prescribes that no air carrier shall transport FCM if such transportation impedes the carriage of priority airmail, passengers, passenger baggage, air parcel post, air express, or regular air freight, except that FCM which has been loaded in the aircraft need not be removed to permit carriage of regular air freight received thereafter or received at an intermediate point. The movement of FCM by air shall have priority over the movement of deferred air freight.

(2) Notification to postal units. The local postal unit must be promptly informed of any delay or inability to transport mail which has been tendered in order that consideration may be given to utilization of any alternate routings which may be available to move the mail. An air carrier which has carried FCM beyond, or off-loaded short of, the billed destination must also promptly notify the postal unit at the point where FCM is on hand and receive instructions as to the best disposition to be made of the mail.

(3) Dispatch within 4 hours-trunkline and cargo air carriers. In the event any or all of the FCM has not been dispatched by a trunkline or cargo air carrier within 4 hours after receipt at the initial point (or 4 hours after anticipated dispatch in the event of early receipt for preloading on a flight where available space is anticipated), the carrier shall notify the postal unit. On instructions from the postal unit, the FCM shall be (1) returned by the carrier to the custody of the postal service at the place where the initial delivery was made, (11) delivered at the holding carrier's facilities at the airport of dispatch to another designated carrier which has space available and which will pick up

the mail within a reasonable time, or (iii) held for an additional period if acceptable to the carrier.

(4) Requirements for transfer of FCM. (i) Carriers will make any necessary intraline transfers to other trips of the same carrier in order to provide transportation to the destination listed on the original dispatch record. Interline transfers of FCM to another air carrier are not authorized in ordinary circumstances. See subdivisions (li) (b) and (c) of this subparagraph concerning permissible interline transfers when service has been interrupted.

(ii) Trunkline and cargo air carriers will not be required to transfer FCM to other carriers except:

(a) When mutually agreeable transfers have been agreed upon. See § 534.2 (b) (2) (1) (b);

(b) When FCM is inadvertently transported to a destination other than that to which due and the carrier does not have service within 2 hours on which space is available to the intended destination and another carrier can provide the needed space with earlier arrival at destination;

(c) When a carrier must unload FCM at an intermediate point and has no service or space within 4 hours and another carrier can provide the needed space with earlier arrival at destination.

(5) Delivery requirements. Priority in delivery, equivalent to airmail, to the destination postal unit cannot be required. Delivery of FCM shall be made as soon as practicable and without unwarranted delay.

(6) Protection of mail. FCM must be protected from the weather and possible depredation and accorded the same care and safeguards as is given regular airmail.

(7) Applicability of Postal Manual sections. The provisions of §§ 531.3 (c) and 531.5(a) (1) of this chapter (except with respect to time), and §§ 533.5 and 533.6 of this chapter (except with reference to airmail forms), apply to the handling of FCM by air carriers.

(b) Postal units. Airport mail facilities and air stop point post offices are responsible for:

(1) Excluding from FCM dispatches any nonmailable articles coming to their

attention which are not acceptable for transportation by air. See Parts 124 and 125 of this chapter for responsibility of mailers and accepting clerks.

(2) Utilizing such equipment and locking devices as may be designated from time to time for FCM dispatches.

(3) Preparing regular surface labels to identify FCM dispatches, underscoring the destination postal unit with a red line and showing proper air stop point coding to the destination airport. See § 534.4(a).

(4) Assuring that mail messenger or vehicle service, as necessary, is provided for delivery and receipt of FCM.

(5) Reporting irregularities in service to their director, transportation division, on Form 2759, Report of Irregular Handling of Airmail, appropriately checked to indicate FCM, for necessary action.

(6) Attempting to have FCM which is off-loaded short of, or carried beyond, the intended destination continued onward by air by means of transfer on Form 2718 to an air carrier having available service. See § 534.4 (c).

(7) Redispatching by air to the intended destination any FCM which is irregularly off-loaded and turned in to the postal unit: Provided, That onward air dispatch is superior to available surface transportation.

(c) Transportation division. The transportation division is responsible for: (1) Notifying postal unit concerning authorized dispatches, air carriers involved, and dates or other particulars of service.

(2) Issuing appropriate instructions concerning the labeling of pouches, mail due dispatch, time of advantageous tieouts, and other local arrangements or requirements.

(3) Assuring that no improper diversions of mail are made to FCM dispatches which have been authorized.

(4) Evaluating promptly any FCM irregularities reported by dispatching or receiving postal units on Form 2759.

(5) Reporting to Air Transportation Branch any failure by air carriers to promptly correct unsatisfactory conditions so that remedial action may be taken.

§ 534.4 Forms and procedures for dispatching and receiving FCM.

(a) Labeling and marketing—(1) FCM pouches. The dispatching postal employee shall label FCM pouches with regular surface labels and underscore destination with a red line to identify as FCM dispatches. When dispatch is to a postal unit that is not an air stop point, enter on the label official code letters for the final air stop off-loading point. Bracket code letters. Show contents of pouch on descriptive line of label, e.g. "Illinois." Enter weight on the label in the same manner as for airmail except that weight need not be shown on the individual labels where bulk weighing has been authorized. Do not serial number pouch labels.

(2) First-class outsides. When it is not possible to enclose a first-class piece in a pouch or sack, use crayon or indelible pencil to enter weight and FCM endorsement in large figures near address. When the outside is billed to an airport not located at city shown in address, also prominently show the airport destination code in brackets.

(b) Form 2713, Dispatch Record of First-Class Mail by Air—(1) Description. Form 2713 is a four-part serially numbered snapout form for documenting the dispatch of first-class mail (FCM) to domestic air carriers authorized to transport first-class mail. It is also a bill for air transportation charges and must be accurate and complete.

(2) Initial preparation. The dispatching postal unit will show the following on Form 2713:

(1) Heading form. Enter origin code, date, route number, and mail ready time. Show trip number in "Available For Trip No." box only when dispatches are made to local service carriers.

(11) Destinations. List first-class mail pouches on one form for destinations served by a local service trip. List firstclass mail pouches on one form for points served by a trunkline carrier's trips departing within a limited time bracket which can be picked up at the same time.

(iii) Transfer point. Enter only intraline transfer point for dispatches due to be transferred to another trip of the carrier of dispatch.

(iv) Pieces and pounds. Enter pouches and pounds under appropriate destination. Use one column only for each destination. If pouches cannot be individually listed under one destination column, accumulate pieces and weights on a scratch sheet and bulk list total pieces and weights under appropriate destination.

(v) Grand totals of pieces and pounds. Cross-add destination totals for pieces and pounds and enter in "Grand Total" box.

(vi) Postal signature. The dispatch clerk will sign his name on the form. The minimum requirement for signature is first initial and last name.

(3) Delivering first-class mail and Form 2713. In delivering FCM and related Form 2713 to air carrier, observe the following:

(1) Airport mail facilities. Air carrier representative picking up the mail will: (a) Verify FCM with entries on Form 2713.

(b) Sign the form in space provided on left side of form and enter pickup time.

(c) Remove Part 4 and leave at airport mail facility. Retain Parts 1, 2, and 3, with carbon paper interleaved, for completing when FCM is boarded on a trip.

(11) Air stop post offices. The dispatching clerk will retain Part 4 and give the FCM and Parts 1, 2, and 3 of related Form 2713, intact, to the mail messenger or vehicle service driver for delivery to air carrier representative at the airport for securing verification of piece count and completed forms.

(4) Completion of form. The air carrier will complete Form 2713 as follows:

(1) Airport mail facilities. When FCM is boarded on one or more trips, air carrier will complete Form 2713 by entering only the trip number or numbers boarding mail in space provided under each destination. If the FCM is not boarded within 4-hour holding period, beginning at pickup time, air carrier must notify postal unit and secure instructions for disposition of FCM. Air carrier representative will complete the certificate by entering date, two letter airline code, and signing. The certificate must be signed. The minimum requirement is first initial and last name. When the form is

completed, the air carrier will separate Parts 1, 2, and 3, retain Parts 2 and 3 and return Part 1 to the postal unit as promptly as local conditions will permit. In no case will the transmittal be less frequent than once each 24 hours. In these cases, air carrier must notify postal unit by telephone of trips boarding FCM during each 4-hour holding period.

(ii) Air stop post offices. As most FCM dispatches made by air stop post offices are accommodated on trips connected by mail messenger (MM) or vehicle service (VS) driver, air carrier representative will complete Form 2713 by (a) entering the boarding trip number or numbers in the space provided under each destination, (b) dating certification, (c) entering two letter airline code, (d) signing the form, (e) separating Parts 1, 2, and 3 and (f) returning completed Part 1 to the MM or VS driver for delivery to dispatching post office. When it is not possible to handle Forms 2713 in this manner, arrangements similar to those in subdivision (1) of this subparagraph will be made.

(5) Review of form. The dispatching postal unit will review Form 2713 as follows:

(1) Part 4, Form 2713. Part 4 will always be retained in the dispatching airport mail facility or air stop post office. It will be used to (a) monitor the 4-hour holding rule, see § 534.3(a) (c) and (b) see that completed Part 1 of the form is returned.

(11) Part 1, Form 2713. When the air carrier returns Part 1, the dispatching postal unit will review the form to assure that (a) it is fully completed, (b) no nonessential data, such as route numbers and dates, are shown in "Boarded on Trip Nos." block and (c) necessary signatures are in proper order.

(iii) Completion of Part 4, Form 2713. The dispatching postal unit will, following review of Part 1, enter trip number or numbers boarding the FCM on Part 4 as a local record of FCM transported.

(6) Voiding Form 2713. When none of the FCM tendered is transported and the postal unit instructs the air carrier to return the mail to the postal unit, the receiving postal representative will void all four parts, send Parts 1, 2, and 3 to Dallas Postal Data Center, with weekly transmittal of forms, and file Part 4.