My question with the Pettis paper is that in my experience shipping has not changed significantly in the last few decades while the claims of queen failure due to shipping have gained a lot of attention. If anything shipping has improved 


I would seriously dispute that thought,  while its certainly gotten better for the pillowcase or cell phone from EBAY,  the care and devotion of the shippers to live bees is GONE!  Period.  
It used to be you could count on the mailman to read the package and not leave them in the sun.  UPS used to WANT your business.  The horror stories I have personally heard from shippers on queens and packages would fill a book.  Most packages have moved AWAY from shipping.  Queens have less of a choice.  
Its unfortunate in our society that we have come here  but automated sorting machines at UPS and USPS have taken away general customer care.  

There are still some great spots out there,  but the vast middle is fully automated and dangerous to bees.


Charles

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html