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.
I've never found car keys while delivering mail as far as I can remember. I don't know what I would do if I found them. I know if any item of value is found in a blue collection box, it is usually turned in to a supervisor.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=When%20you%20find%20lost%20car%20keys%2C%20where%20do%20you%20put%20them%20or%20what%20do%20you%20you%20do%20with%20them%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15948)
It depends when you drop the letter in the blue collection box. If it is before the daily pickup time (which is usually posted on a label somewhere on the box) then it is likely going to be on the same dispatch truck as if you put the letter in a box at the PO. The truck then goes to a centralized mail processing facility. If you put the letter in a blue collection mailbox after the daily cutoff time posted on the mailbox, but the local PO is still open, you'd probably be better off bringing the letter there for mailing. At most POs you can probably bring in letter up until 1700 for same-day processing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=is%20it%20quicker%20mailing%20a%20letter%20at%20the%20post%20office%20versus%20dropping%20it%20in%20a%20local%20mailbox%20to%20get%20to%20the%20recipient%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14179)
I don't know how you know for sure the package was delivered to the parcel locker section and the key put into the neighbor's box. If you are sure of this (based on the fact that your mailman has made mistakes in the past) then I would put a notice on your neighbor's door. You don't have access to their mailbox so you can't put it in there. The notice can say: "I believe the letter carrier errantly delivered a package to you (or put the parcel locker key in your mailbox) that should have been for me. If you have received this package, please deliver it to me or leave it by my door. "
You may also want to include your phone number on the notice. Unless your neighbors or morally challenged they should give you the package without incident. I hope this helps you Joanna and you receive your package.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hi%2C%20my%20mailman%20has%20a%20bad%20habit%20of%20putting%20the%20wrong%20mail%20in%20the%20wrong%20%20box.%202day%20a%20package%20was%20delivered%20to%20our%20apt%20in%20locked%20box%20thing%20%26%20he%20obviously%20put%20the%20key%20to%20it%20in%20the%20wrong%201.%20How%20should%20I%20word%20a%20letter%20to%20my%20neighbors%20asking%20for%20my%20package%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15228)
Amy, it's been awhile since I've worked in extreme heat (mid-90s and above would be my unscientific definition), but I'll just give you some generic advice. The suggestions I have are: 1) Keep hydrated. Even if you aren't thirsty just keep drinking. Many liquids are lost through perspiration, and if you need to take more bathroom breaks, you just do so. It is rare I get a headache from the extreme heat and I credit that to drinking water or other non-diuretic liquids. 2) Wear as light as clothing as possible. 3) Keep your head covered with a wide-brimmed hat to protect from the sunlight. I've found this to be more comfortable then not wearing a hat. 4) Don't exert yourself too much. The pressures of the job have some letter carriers rushing through their routes, but that could tire you out quickly if it is very hot outside. I keep a moderate, rational, pace, and if anyone ever questioned why it took longer to deliver a mail route (not common to be questioned especially in weather extremes), I'd just say it was for health and safety reasons. As an aside, the heat never bothered me compared to very cold conditions. I realize that you can cover yourself sufficiently when it's extremely cold, but my extremities still hurt when exposed. It's difficult for me to feel the mail if my fingers aren't touching the mail directly. I hope this helps. Basically, it comes down to preparation and hydration.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20do%20you%20survive%20the%20extreme%20heat%3F%20Also%20after%20a%20long%20hot%20day%20do%20you%20get%20a%20headache%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15240)
Chef
Has anyone ever found anything gross in their food on your watch?
School Teacher
Are teachers underpaid?
Social Security Employee
How do you check to see whether someone claiming disability is actually disabled?
I don't know what is technically the protocol for a carrier reminding themselves that a house is on hold. You make a good point. Most of our carriers have hold notes or cards they sequence in with the mail nearby so when they arrive at the house on hold, they would know to skip it. The note or card is then brought back to the PO for use the next day. I just memorize it from when I prepare the mail in the PO in the AM, but I would usually have no more than 10-15 houses at once who are on hold and their mail usually is left behind at the PO so there would be nothing to deliver even if I forgot the house was on hold.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Our%20carriers%20%28town%20of%207k%29%20leave%20%22HOLD%22%20notes%20in%20our%20home%20box%20when%20we%20request%20our%20mail%20held.%20Anyone%20can%20figure%20out%20which%20houses%20are%20easy%20targets%20for%20theft%20with%20that%20info.%20Is%20that%20protocol%3FThey%20say%20they%20can%27t%20remember%20not%20to%20leave%20it%20otherwise.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14133)
Saturday is Nov. 29 and Priority Mail in the continental 48 states is usually 3 days maximum for delivery. The packages are usually in transit 7 days a week so I would say there is an excellent chance your package will arrive by Saturday. USPS Priority Mail is a superb service in my opinion. I often look at the mailing dates when I deliver a Priority Mail item and it has rarely taken more than 3 calendar days from origin to destination.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=My%20package%20is%20being%20shipped%20to%20GA.%20Currently%20it%20says%20November%2025%2C%202014%20%2C%208%3A24%20pm%20-%0AArrived%20at%20USPS%20Facility%0ACITY%20OF%20INDUSTRY%2C%20CA%2091715.%20It%20was%20shipped%20via%20Priority%20mail.%20Do%20packages%20still%22travel%22during%20thanksgiving%3F%20Will%20I%20get%20it%20by%20Saturday%3F%20Thanks%21&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13961)
Shakita, I'm not sure what you mean by the postal carrier overlooked the mail. Do you mean that they looked inside it when they shouldn't have? If you know this for sure, I'd call or visit your nearby PO and speak with a delivery supervisor. It would seem hard to prove though I don't know the details in your case. If you meant that the postal carrier overlooked an outgoing piece of mail and forgot to take it, I'd recommend making it very visible to them next time and if it becomes a problem, please leave a note saying "please take outgoing mail. Thank you." I hope I have answered your question whichever way you intended it.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=the%20postal%20carrier%20had%20overlooked%20the%20envelope&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14806)
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
