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 don't know why the mailman would take away the mail for the week that had been sitting in your mailbox as well as an "attempted" notice for another package. Did the other package perhaps need a signature? It is common for some people not to check their mailbox for days and it rarely fills up to the point that I can't put any more mail in the mailbox. I hope that the mail reappears or is it possible you received none (not likely) or that someone else in your household (if you don't live alone) took the mail in to your residence?
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hello%20just%20curious%20my%20mailman%20delivered%20a%20package%20to%20my%20door%20yesterday%20then%20when%20I%20went%20to%20check%20mail%20there%20was%20an%20%22attempt%20to%20deliver%22%20notice%20for%20another%20package%20and%20my%20mail%20for%20the%20week%20was%20gone%20..%20Why%20would%20this%20happen&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16150)
I can't quote the statute that says it is illegal for the letter carrier to discuss with others the fact that your sister was in jail, however it is entirely inappropriate and probably against postal regulations re: sanctity and confidentiality of the mail. I see mail going to/from prison while delivering the mail but never say a word to anybody about it. I'm not sure if you want to discuss it with your letter carrier to tell him how wrong it was to say anything to anybody. I also don't know it it would go anywhere if you complained to the USPS about his behavior. Legally, you may also need proof or witnesses if in fact it is illegal what the letter carrier divulged to others. I know I'd be very upset if I found out my letter carrier was talking about things they should be confidential about, but not sure what avenue I would take to resolve it.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=My%20sister%20was%20recently%20in%20jail.%20Our%20mail%20carrier%20saw%20letters%20from%20us%20going%20to%20her%20at%20the%20jail%20and%20has%20been%20telling%20a%20lot%20of%20people%20about%20her%20being%20in%20jail.%20Is%20this%20legal%20for%20him%20to%20do%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16156)
I wouldn't recommend it unless you put a stamp on the envelope. The reason I say this is because the mailbox is only supposed to be used for US Mail with proper postage. That being said, if you leave the envelope in the mailbox clearly marked for the recipient company or resident with no postage it's possible the letter carrier would notice it and just leave it in the mailbox. That is what I would do but I can't speak for another letter carrier who isn't paying attention and just takes an envelope that looks like it could be outgoing mail. If you put the payment envelope in the mailbox with the address and postage it could be taken as outgoing mail but you can rest assured it will get to the recipient within a couple of days as a regular piece of mail. If possible, could you find an alternate place to put the payment or pay electronically?
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20need%20to%20leave%20a%20payment%20for%20a%20company%20and%20she%20is%20not%20home.%20..can%20I%20leave%20the%20payment%20in%20an%20envelope%20in%20her%20mailbox&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15910)
Yes, we deliver on 12/24/15 Thursday. At the office where I work, we will try to be done by 1600. After that, we will next deliver mail on Saturday 12/26/15. Christmas Eve is a regular work day except that our retail window may close earlier than usual.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Do%20you%20guys%20deliver%20mail%20on%20christmas%20eve%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16167)
Investment Banker
Did you experience the notorious 100-hour work weeks?
Private Detective
Has anyone ever caught you surveilling them, and what happened?
Freelance Writer
How do you go about getting your first clients?
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)
I don't have the answer because it differs from person to person. If the substitute carrier is conscientious and verifies the address on the mail the mailbox that he's leaving the mail in then it would probably be a low difference between the two. Some regular carriers make plenty of mistakes because they are in a hurry or maybe don't care. I am very conscientious but still make mistakes. When a substitute delivers my route, the results vary. Some days you think "great job" and other days it's "why don't they read the address and be more careful". Misdeliveries are a big pet peeve of mine. One reason is that you don't know if the errant recipient will put the mailpiece back for correct delivery or may just ignore or discard it. I don't feel enough education is put to our employees how important proper mail delivery is. I am fortunate now to have the same substitute carrier each week if I'm off and not asked to work overtime. He is very conscientious and reads all of the carrier alert cards I give him. Other substitute carriers have been good and bad.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=what%20iare%20the%20percentages%20of%20mail%20delivered%20to%20the%20wrong%20address%20by%20the%20regular%20mail%20person%20versus%20a%20substitute%20carrier%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17269)
I'll tell you what I do in this situation (which is common) but I can't say what each carrier will do and I'm sure it also varies by location. We deliver many parcels that won't fit into a mailbox. I bring the item to the front door of the house and leave it on the side of the door. I rarely ring a door bell since I don't need to see anybody to give the mail to. I also work in a neighborhood where mail/package theft is close to non-existent. If you live an apartment building or an area where mail can't just be left near a front door then the letter carrier might leave a PS 3849 Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt to notify the recipient that we have mail for you to retrieve from the PO or allow you to authorize delivery and leave mail at a specified location.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20do%20you%20do%20if%20the%20mail%20does%20not%20fit%20in%20the%20mailbox%20%0AExample%3A%20there%20is%20a%20box%20to%20go%20into%20the%20mailbox%20but%20it%20doesn%27t%20fit%20for%20whatever%20reason%2C%20what%20do%20you%20do%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15999)
-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
