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.
The only suggestion I'd have is to have your daughter or you contact the PO which delivers the mail to her and see if the key may still be in the mailbox for another resident and/or the package is still in the lockbox. It is disconcerting that if another resident errantly got the key and/or package that they wouldn't deliver it to the intended recipient. As a letter carrier I can tell you we make delivery mistakes on a somewhat regular basis. I am pretty accurate (though not 100%..nobody is) in my delivery, but some carriers don't care as much or are unfamiliar with an area and sometimes rush which can result in mistakes. I understand that the tracking is only somewhat helpful because it shows as delivered to the lock box but that doesn't help if your daughter didn't get the key.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20recently%20sent%20a%20pkg.%20to%20my%20grandson.%20The%20tracking%20%23%20says%20it%20was%20delivered%20and%20put%20in%20the%20lock%20box%20but%20my%20daughter%20says%20there%20is%20no%20key%20in%20her%20box.%20I%20am%20so%20afraid%20someone%20else%20got%20the%20key%20by%20mistake.%20What%20do%20we%20do%3F%20This%20is%20a%20priceless%20gift.%20Thanks&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16027)
They should take it. I've never heard of that being an issue. As long as there is sufficient postage it should be accepted. I think most letter carriers don't even look at the to/from address on an envelope when they collect mail from a person or collection box. Furthermore, I know of no requirement to even have a return address on anything that is mailed. Thanks for your question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20the%20adress%20on%20the%20envelope%20of%20the%20letter%20I%27m%20trying%20to%20send%20dosent%20match%20my%20address%20%20will%20the%20mail%20man%20still%20take%20it%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15380)
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)
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=is%20the%20mailman%20going%20to%20be%20running%20behind%20on%20the%20day%20after%20Thanksgiving%20with%20his%20mail%20delivery&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13970)
CPR Trainer
Just how effective is the Heimlich, really?
Lifeguard
Did you ever have to perform CPR or mouth-to-mouth on a swimmer?
CBP Officer
How cooperative are Mexican authorities re: US immigration and border control?
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)
It doesn't sound reasonable to me to even have a 14-mile walking route to begin with. That is walking more than a half-marathon daily. If you had zero mail to deliver and walked 14 miles you may be able to cover the route in 4 hours if walk at 3.5 MPH. That is faster than most people walk or at least about the average walking speed. Please tell your boyfriend to do the best he can, walk safely, and that the rate he is being asked to walk at is unrealistic. I just did a quick internet search for "average walking speed" and it is 3.1 MPH. This doesn't include delivering mail or any weight added if your boyfriend is carrying a satchel of mail. USPS management is known for being unreasonable at times.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=My%20boyfriend%20is%20just%20started%20working%20for%20the%20USPS%20and%20has%20only%20been%20by%20himself%20for%202%20days%20and%20they%20are%20complaining%20that%20he%20isn%27t%20going%20fast%20enough.%20It%27s%20a%2014%20mile%20walking%20round%20and%20the%20want%20him%20to%20start%20at%208.30%20and%20be%20done%20by%2012.30%20is%20this%20realistic%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15419)
I don't know the answer to this question as to what the procedure is. I can only speculate but could be completely wrong. Someone could wait by the mailbox for a letter carrier to come by and empty the mailbox and ask to retrieve the letter, but it may need to be easily found, identifiable, and the collector would have to be willing to give it back. They may not be allowed to or unwilling to help. The letter carrier doesn't necessarily come at the time posted. The time means they won't come before the posted time. Theoretically it could be hours later. Another option is to go to the PO that services the collection box to ask for assistance. Again, I have no idea about their willingness to help. If it were me, I'd probably assist you if the letter was easily found and the return address and name matched that of the person asking for the letter back through identification or personally known to me. I've never been asked to do this so I can't base it on past experience.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=My%20daughter%20accidentally%20put%20a%20letter%20in%20the%20mailbox%20yesterday%20that%20she%20would%20very%20much%20like%20to%20get%20back%20before%20it%20is%20processed.%20%20Is%20there%20a%20procedure%20in%20place%20for%20her%20to%20do%20so%3F%20%20It%20is%20scheduled%20for%20pick%20up%20tomorrow.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16178)
-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
