MailmanDave
17 Years Experience
Long Island, NY
Male, 43
I am a City Letter Carrier for the US Postal Service in NY. I've been a city letter carrier for over 17 years and it is the best job I've ever had. I mostly work 5 days per week (sometimes includes a Saturday) and often have the opportunity for overtime, which is usually voluntary. The route I deliver has about 350 homes and I walk to each of their doors to deliver the mail. Please keep in mind that I don't have authority to speak for the USPS, so all opinions are solely mine, not my employer.
We are always on a break! Just kidding. I can't say why you don't see mailmen take a break. We are allowed a 10-minute break plus a 30-minute lunch break while we are delivering the mail. I usually take my breaks sitting in the postal vehicle. Other carriers go to restaurants or take-out for lunch. I bring my lunch to save money. I hope this answers your question.
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I haven't witnessed anyone deliberately tampering with a package, though every now and then a box arrives empty, so it could have broken open in transit or tampered with. If a carrier were to do this on any regular basis, customers would become suspicious and probably call the PO. If the PO rcvd too many calls about 1 route, I imagine they'd get suspicious and look into it. Overall, I think tampering and theft is rare but I am sure it happens in such a large organization. Thank you for the question.
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Thanks for your question. I believe the USPS would hire a 57 y/o as long as you can physically do the job. There can be a lot of walking depending on the type of route you have. Some neighborhoods have mailboxes at the curb and you deliver directly from a postal vehicle.
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That is true in many offices, probably more in urban environments. I don't know if it still happens, but a supervisor sometimes does a lobby sweep to see if anyone on line can be helped without having to see a clerk. (Like picking up mail that was on hold). They employ "mystery shoppers" who come in unannounced and make notes of the efficiency and accuracy of the clerks. I think that the USPS does care about providing good customer service, but it's hard to really effect change among workers who don't care that much. I guess I am fortunate to work in a decent office where most workers do a fair job. I don't think I have thoroughly answered your q, as I don't have inside knowledge of how upper management feels about their service.
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Good question. If the deliver to a PO Box, they are almost always a Clerk who works inside the whole day. I don't know exactly how to tip them. If you know their name, maybe you can mail a letter to them c/o of the Post Office. Hopefully it would get to him/her.
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Great idea. That should work out fine. That's actually how I give a tip to my letter carrier. I live in an apt. Building so we have a bank of mailboxes in the hallway.
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It is very likely that the mail will be delivered and not returned to you. This happens often, so don't be worried.
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