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 wouldn't recommend getting them any alcohol if they are hungover often. How about some aspirin? We get a yearly allowance for uniform clothing so I can't think of any clothing to get them. Actually, maybe a light rain jacket or slicker wouldn't be such a bad idea, but we do get allowances for good performing raingear. As far as walking in the sun, we also can purchase wise-brimmed sunhats or pith helmets. We also have rubber overboots that can keep our feet dry in the rain. I receive gift cards and cash mostly as holiday gifts from customers to whom I deliver mail. One of my co-workers gives me some lottery scratch-offs which is very nice. I realize that this doesn't necessarily answer your question since none of these gifts are practical in dealing with rain or sun. It's also nice of you to just consider a gift so he should appreciate whatever you give them. I don't exchange gifts with most of friends or family. Having time with them is a present enough. I realize that's a bit corny but that's how I feel.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20would%20be%20the%20best%20thing%20to%20get%20a%20mailman%20for%20christmas%20my%20friend%20is%20a%20fellow%20mailman%20an%20he%20always%20complains%20about%20getting%20rained%20on%20and%20walking%20in%20the%20sun%20while%20hungover.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15814)
I can't say for sure what should have happened with the check that was mailed to the wrong address. It is bad that the check was cashed by an unintended party. A letter carrier doesn't always know who lives at each address and there are many days where a replacement carrier or CCA (City Carrier Assistant) is delivering the mail. If I'm not sure that piece of mail should go the address on the envelope, I will likely deliver it anyway with a "?" written next to the name. Hopefully the resident at the address would put the envelope back in the mail if it doesn't belong to them and write "doesn't live here" on the outside.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20had%20my%20bank%20mail%20a%20check%20to%20someone%20but%20it%20was%20sent%20to%20an%20incorrect%20address.%20%20The%20check%20was%20cashed%2Fstolen.%20%20%20Would%20the%20carrier%20leave%20it%20at%20an%20address%20even%20though%20the%20name%20was%20not%20someone%20who%20lived%20there%3F%20Should%20it%20have%20been%20returned%20to%20the%20sender%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15357)
We will be operating as normal on 12/26/15 Saturday. Have a Merry Christmas!
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=When%20do%20the%20mailman%20comes%20back%20to%20work%20since%20next%20Friday%20is%20Christmas&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16138)
I would give it back to you if I know who you are, or you can positively ID yourself, and if I can easily retrieve the letter. It's rarely happened to me and in each case in gave back the letter(s) to the sender. I can't speak to how another letter carrier would react to your request and I don't know if there are any rules specifically allowing or prohibiting this. We are not trained on how to handle this request as far as I can remember.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20i%20post%20a%20letter%20but%20didn%27t%20mean%20to%20can%20i%20go%20back%20and%20ask%20the%20postman%20if%20i%20can%20have%20it%20back%20before%20he%20takes%20it%20away&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15371)
Chick-fil-A General Manager
How often do you have to fire someone, and does it ever get ugly?
Security / Bodyguard
Have you ever had to disarm an attacker?
Obstetrician Gynecologist
If a baby has health complications resulting from a difficult delivery, do you ever feel guilty?
If a neighborhood has cluster boxes, it's usually a group of 6-30 addresses per cluster box. I actually made up that number. Where I deliver to cluster boxes, they range from 4-16 addresses per cluster box. As the letter carrier, I have a key which opens up the cluster box fully and then i can sort all of the mail for those addresses at one time. The boxes are usually well labeled inside (with the cluster panel open) to know where to put the mail. It's important for the letter carrier to know whether to put the mail either above or below the address if the slots are stacked vertically. I have seen my fellow letter carriers, and I'm sure myself make errors in deliveries to cluster boxes. I also live in an apartment building where mail is delivered into cluster boxes near the elevators. It can get more tedious than walking from door to door delivering mail but it is more efficient to deliver mail to cluster box units.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=On%20mail%20box%20cluster%20Iw%20do%20know%20which%20solt%20each%20person%27s%20mail%20goes%20in&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16971)
Yes, I've heard of nothing to the contrary and I know that many of the younger letter carriers have tattoos and piercings.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Are%20mail%20carriers%20allowed%20to%20have%20tattoos%20and%2For%20piercings%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15455)
They might. If you are on a rural delivery route, I believe it is part of the carrier's job to mail items for the customers (at the customer's expense, of course) and deliver them stamps if they request them and pay for it. If you live on a city delivery route, it's probably up to the individual carrier if they will fulfill your request or not. I believe you can purchase stamps online and they'll be sent to you or there is an option for stamps by mail. In the latter option, you fill out a form and enclose a check and the USPS will deliver your stamps in a couple of days. I don't see any of those options used too often where I deliver mail but I can't speak for other post offices.
Try this URL:
https://store.usps.com/store/
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20I%20leave%20money%20and%20a%20note%20for%20a%20book%20of%20stamps%20in%20my%20mailbox%20will%20my%20mailman%20deliver%20me%20stamp&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15212)
-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
