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.
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=.%20While%20driving%20the%20vehicle%20to%20make%20a%20delivery%2C%20another%20motorist%20points%20towards%20the%20back%20of%20your%20vehicle%20as%20if%20something%20is%20wrong.%20What%20do%20you%20do%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16014)
It's odd for someone to say "it's on the truck" when the tracking seems very non-specific and sounds like it hasn't been updated. 8 days is too long for a certified letter to reach you unless the item was missorted en route and was either misdelivered or is sitting at a PO and nothing is being done with it. I don't know what to tell you to do except to wait a few more days. After that, you could contact the sender and say you never received the letter though they would have the same information as the online tracking.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=A%20certified%20letter%20was%20sent%20out%20to%20me%20on%20Jan%2013%20and%20it%27s%20the%2021st.%20Still%20have%20not%20received%20it%20and%20when%20I%20try%20to%20track%20it%20all%20it%20says%20it%27s%20in%20transit.%20Desnt%20say%20where%20it%20is.%20I%20called%20local%20post%20office%20and%20all%20they%20say%20is%20its%20on%20the%20truck.%20%20What%20do%20I%20d&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16328)
Chris, I'll be honest that I don't know anything about gloves to wear for delivering mail in the hot summer. I use my bare hands probably 99% of the time. I don't concern myself with the cleanliness of the mail whatsoever and it's never been an issue for me. I have noticed in very cold weather that I need to cover my extremities well so I just wear as warm gloves as I can but don't know any brand. Some coworkers use sealskin gloves. it is difficult for me to finger the mail with a gloved hand so I hold the mail in a gloved hand and keep the hand that I use to finger the mail in my pocket as much as possible with no glove. I don't do too well in the extreme cold. Thank you for your question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20use%20the%20surge%20rival%20gloves%20for%20delivering%20mail%20but%20was%20wondering%20if%20there%20is%20a%20really%20good%20made%20glove%20that%20is%20good%20for%20hot%20summers%20as%20well%20%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16708)
It depends on what other job/career options you may have and how they compare with the USPS. I have somewhat of a bias because I enjoy working here and it has been a great career. I do realize, however, that being a CCA isn't easy and it's a non-career position and only pays moderately to begin (currently $16.06/hr). Regarding the USPS financial situation, I don't think that should impact your choice. The USPS isn't going away anytime soon. While I'm sure it's losing plenty of $$ often there is still as much work as I can remember. There will likely be changes that happen years from now but I don't know what they'd look like. I've never seen a layoff or RIF since I've been employed by the USPS. Good luck to you Hobbz whichever job/career path you choose.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Do%20you%20think%20it%27s%20a%20wise%20career%20choice%2F%20change%20to%20become%20a%20cca%20and%20tough%20it%20out%20to%20become%20a%20regular%20with%20the%20current%20usps%20financial%20situation%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17597)
Navy Officer (Former)
Do you think there's a chance the US reinstates the draft?
Toymaker
With all the high-tech kids toys, is there still a demand for traditional ones?
Rap Promoter / Manager
Do venues you rent express concern about a higher risk of violence because it's a rap concert?
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)
If you have received incorrect mail in your PO Box, you can do a few things. You can write on the envelope, "addressee unknown" and push it back through the PO Box so it lands on the floor or leave it in an outgoing mail collection box. Either way, the PO Box clerk should see that it doesn't belong to you after you have written on it and either forward it or return it to the sender. You could probably also keep the mail but that may not be ethical especially if it was important mail. I'm sure many PO Boxes get closed and the renter doesn't leave forwarding instructions.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=what%20do%20i%20do%20with%20mail%20that%20was%20delivered%20to%20the%20po%20box%20irent%20but%20isnt%20addressed%20to%20me%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/15694)
Congratulations on being hired as a CCA. I wear black shoes that have the SR/USA tag required by the USPS. These can be purchased using your uniform allowance which you may not receive for several months after being hired and passing probation. The brands I use are New Balance and Rocky. I've never had a problem with their comfort, just that I usually have to replace them every 6 months or so due to the amount of walking I do daily. If you don't have a uniform allowance I'd say to wear whatever is comfortable to you like an athletic shoe. Don't wear anything fancy because it will inevitably get dirty in no time.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=i%20just%20got%20a%20job%20as%20a%20cca%20in%20the%20ny%20triboro%20area%20and%20want%20to%20know%20what%20the%20most%20comfortable%20sneaker%20is%20to%20wear&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16010)
-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
