Patent ID: 7421311

Claim:
A method of performing a package preload operation upon a plurality of packages in accordance with a dispatch plan, wherein each of a plurality of packages has a first shipping label including a label address, said dispatch plan includes an allocation of work for a specified geographical area between and among a plurality of delivery vehicles, each of said delivery vehicles has responsibility for a service area within said geographical area, and each of said delivery vehicles includes a plurality of package load positions, said method comprising: sending said dispatch plan to a pre-load assist system in an electronic format; capturing electronically said a destination address from said first shipping label, wherein said destination address is based at least in part on said label address; assigning a select vehicle from among said delivery vehicles, using said pre-load assist system, wherein said select vehicle is based at least in part on said destination address; assigning a select load position from among said package load positions, using said pre-load assist system, wherein said select load position is based at least in part on said destination address; generating a handling instruction identifying said select vehicle and said select load position; affixing said handling instruction to said package; and loading said package in accordance with said handling instruction.