Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

While driving the vehicle to make a delivery, another motorist points towards the back of your vehicle as if something is wrong. What do you do?

Asked by tareq almost 10 years ago

If I were in motion, I'd safely pull over, put on my four-way flashers, and then get out to investigate. It's possible that my gas cap is hanging out the side of the LLV, the back gate isn't secure, or maybe I'm dragging something. It could also be something that I haven't thought of. If the motorist is still around I'd ask them what they are pointing out. If it seemed to be some type of phony diversion tactic, I'd try to get far away from the motorist pointing and then investigate safely.

497 Votes

Let's say you ordered something 'embarrassing' (although not illegal or hazardous) such as a playboy magazine or whatever, that is in a boxed package. Is there a way for the mailman to know what you have?

Asked by robert about 10 years ago

I'd say there is no obvious way to know what is in a box. The return address can sometimes give a clue, but if it's Adult Entertainment or sexual toys/gadgets, the mailer is usually discreet in the return address and packaging. Playboy magazines that are subscribed to are usually easy to spot because it comes via Periodical Class, is polywrapped and you don't see the cover. I do notice those magazines (but few people get them anymore) and ads for Adult Videos, but nothing else really catches my eye when delivering packages or mail with respect to them being embarrassing. Good question.

497 Votes

On the topic of keeping dry, have you come across a good brand of gloves that keep your hands dry and warm during these colder months of rain and chills?

Asked by Kruesser over 9 years ago

Another good question that I'll fail miserably at. It's hard to find good gloves that will keep your ha ss warm and dry plus allow you to easily finger the mail. While I walk I wear a pretty regular glove on the hand where I hold the mail and then may leave the hand I use to finger the mail exposed but put it in my pocket between houses to keep it somewhat warm. You may also purchase single use hand warmers which you can keep in your pocket and they should last you the whole work day. Some carriers wear sealskin type gloves. I've never tried some so I can't comment on how good they are. Basically I own many pairs of gloves and just do a lot of experimenting to get it right. If it's raining try and bring multiple pair so you can exchange out wet gloves for dry gloves.

496 Votes

is the mailman going to be running behind on the day after Thanksgiving with his mail delivery

Asked by Teri almost 11 years ago

Teri, generally the mailman will be running behind because the day after any holiday there is often a heavier quantity of mail to deliver. I can't speak for all offices, but most of my co-workers were probably 1:00-1:30 behind their regular schedule when they started deliveries today. There was a huge quantity of parcels to have sorted by the clerks (took awhile) and also delivering these takes longer . One other factor is that the sun sets earlier this time of year so delivering the mail in the dark takes even longer.

496 Votes

Also on Jobstr...

Dry Cleaner

Why do dry cleaners have autographed pictures on their walls?

Border Patrol Agent

How easy is it to forge a US passport?

"The Onion" Contributors

What's your favorite Onion headline of all time?

Have you ever had to sign someone's name for them on a package because they weren't home? and also is there any way that doing this can screw over the customer?

Asked by Fern about 10 years ago

I sign customer's names on accountable mail or packages that need a signature if I know them and they'd likely want that done. I frequently do this but technically it's not allowed unless the recipient has given previous written authorization to do this. So far, it's never been a problem in my career that I've signed for an item, but I don't expect others to do the same. As far as if this can screw over a customer, I don't know. I suppose if you signed for a package for a customer and then never delivered it to them it could be a problem. I think in that case the letter carrier would be questioned because the intended recipient never received the item and will say it's not their signature on the PS 3849 or electronic signature record.

495 Votes

There was a city flyer in my mailbox it said postal customer. Does that mean the mailman brought it

Asked by seano760 about 10 years ago

I am not sure what a city flyer is, but I am guessing it was some type of communication from your city or it was an advertisement. If it said "postal customer" on it, it likely was delivered by the USPS. Another way is to check if there is an indicia on it. That is a square usually in the upper right hand corner of the mailpiece that says "prst std, US mail, paid" or something like that. That is proof of postage. We often deliver mailings that say "postal customer". Basically it means that each address receives this piece of mail. Sometimes it is residential only and sometimes it goes to all business and residential customers.

495 Votes

What happens if the mailman forgets to put an online purchase in your mailbox?

Asked by Griselda about 10 years ago

This definitely happens all the time. I would hope that we try to deliver every package but if we haven't organized our deliveries well enough, we may forget to deliveran online purchase. The parcel would then be brought back to the Post Office and probably be delivered the next delivery day.

494 Votes

Showing 827 - 833

Show All

394 More Answers by Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Last 7

116 117 118 119 120 121

...

Next 7 Answers

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

While driving the vehicle to make a delivery, another motorist points towards the back of your vehicle as if something is wrong. What do you do?

Let's say you ordered something 'embarrassing' (although not illegal or hazardous) such as a playboy magazine or whatever, that is in a boxed package. Is there a way for the mailman to know what you have?

On the topic of keeping dry, have you come across a good brand of gloves that keep your hands dry and warm during these colder months of rain and chills?

is the mailman going to be running behind on the day after Thanksgiving with his mail delivery

Also on Jobstr...

Have you ever had to sign someone's name for them on a package because they weren't home? and also is there any way that doing this can screw over the customer?

There was a city flyer in my mailbox it said postal customer. Does that mean the mailman brought it

What happens if the mailman forgets to put an online purchase in your mailbox?

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

While driving the vehicle to make a delivery, another motorist points towards the back of your vehicle as if something is wrong. What do you do?

Let's say you ordered something 'embarrassing' (although not illegal or hazardous) such as a playboy magazine or whatever, that is in a boxed package. Is there a way for the mailman to know what you have?

On the topic of keeping dry, have you come across a good brand of gloves that keep your hands dry and warm during these colder months of rain and chills?

is the mailman going to be running behind on the day after Thanksgiving with his mail delivery

Also on Jobstr...

Have you ever had to sign someone's name for them on a package because they weren't home? and also is there any way that doing this can screw over the customer?

There was a city flyer in my mailbox it said postal customer. Does that mean the mailman brought it

What happens if the mailman forgets to put an online purchase in your mailbox?

Login

Forgot Your Password?

Register