Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

Someone is using my physical address for mail but asking the PO to hold their mail for pick up. He used to live at the property but sold it in Nov2016. He will not complete a change of address form and the post master will not help. What can I do?

Asked by GG almost 9 years ago

GG, I don't really have a suggestion for you. If it were affecting your mail delivery in any way I'd be quite upset and concerned. In theory, they shouldn't keep holding someone's mail for pickup indefinitely. I mean they shouldn't be able to have their mail held, pick it up, and then just put it on hold again. The solution for that person would be to rent a PO Box and have their mail forwarded to it. I know we often won't hold mail for individuals at a certain address. We usually hold the entire mail for an entire address but I can't quote you any internal policies on this because I don't know them. If any mail for the previous owner actually gets delivered to your house, I'd say that you should feel free to discard it since the PO isn't helping you at all. I know it sounds vindictive but the person who moved out or sold the property should either fill out a proper COA or just not care about any mail addressed to him at your current residence.

432 Votes

After I put my mail in a lock box and I decide I want my mail back (forgot to put a check in a letter), can the mail carrier give it back to me or not?

Asked by Jessica about 9 years ago

Jessica, it depends who you ask or are dealing with regards to who is emptying the locked box. If I personally knew you or you could show me some ID if I didn't know you, I'd gladly return the letter if I could easily find it. Sometimes there are hundreds of letters in the blue collection boxes and the carrier who is collecting the mail from that box may or may not have the time, patience, or personality to return your letter to you. It may be worthwhile to just send another envelope with a check in it if you can't retrieve the letter you accidentally put into the collection box without the check. I've never been told that I'm not allowed to return a letter once it is placed in a collection box, but, then again, our training and procedural enforcement is quite poor so that's why the lack of uniformity across the USPS. Thank you for writing.

431 Votes

What is the premise to scan flats and letters, it’s ridiculous in my opinion, and what if a house is vacant or on hold, my guess is on the scanner to hit “not on the route “when it prompts, any thoughts

Asked by jvitto48 almost 8 years ago

From what I understand, we scan the flats and letters to verify how long it takes mailpieces to get from somewhere to the delivery point. I haven’t heard this for sure. I agree it seems pointless and annoying. I make sure to take the time to do it properly though I don’t trust most of my coworkers to do it. Regarding what to do when it asks i feel the address is on the route, i usually put “yes” if it’s vacant or hold but I have to say I’m probably not consistent with that i do. I’d hit “yes”, then “end scanning” and then “no more to scan” if I had zero mailpieces with me. I’m not sure how it is in Massapequa but the communication as to what we’re supposed to do in any situation is quite half-assed and different supv may give different answers. I have so little faith in the supervisors to give the right information that I often don’t even bother asking. We had a service talk today about how to scan parcels that are on “hold”. The directions were completely the opposite of what we were told in the past. Besides that, I doubt they will repeat the service talk for the carriers who were off today or on vacation. I’m just venting but I think you can relate to my comments. Thanks again for writing and hope you liked my tangent.

431 Votes

I noticed that I had a new mailman today, and I was wondering if they change route, how often and why? I was getting used to him after moving to my new neighborhood. Just curious...

Asked by Jessica about 8 years ago

Letter carriers sometimes have a choice to move to other neighborhoods/assignments based on a seniority-based bidding process. As other carriers retire or move on to other assignments this creates vacancies to be filled, often by lesser-seniority personnel. Sometimes there are newer employees who may be on the same route for awhile just filling in for someone who may be on Long-term leave for illness or injury or military leave. I have been on the same route for 15 years and can stay on it indefinitely unless there is an office reorganization. I can also bid to another route (if I prefer to) if a vacancy is available to be filled and my seniority is enough to move to that route.

431 Votes

gift for particular mailman instead of temp

Asked by Rose about 9 years ago

Rose, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by this question. If you would like to give a gift to a particular letter carrier, I'm sure it'd be appreciated. During this time of year (December holiday season), many people who I deliver mail to will give me a cash gratuity or gift of sweets or wine for example. It is never expected by me to receive a gratuity or gift but I follow up with a thank you card to the customer. If you're not sure when your particular letter carrier is working you may just have to wait until you see them to present them with the gift or leave it in your mailbox and hope they will get it. Please ask a follow up question of me if I haven't explained my answer clearly.

431 Votes

What is the amount of time a carrier for parcels over the base amount. Or what is my base parcel amount for a route. Had 100 “scanner hits” went over 40 minutes street, took lunch and 10 minute break, doing route inspections next month in Massapequa

Asked by jvitto48 almost 8 years ago

Jvitto48, thanks for your question but I’m sorry that I can’t give you any assistance in this matter. I don’t know if your local shop steward or area representative can help with this. I’ve never been too involved with any rte inspections, or if I have, it was so many years ago and I don’t remember. NALC has a 2012 “guide to route inspections” available online as a PDF but it’s 188 pages long and may not even address your question about base parcel amount. I don’t know how the base parcel amount is arrived at. I also don’t know if it includes every scannable parcel. My generic advice is to take all authorized lunches and breaks, as well as one or two bathroom breaks if needed. I know route inspections can make people anxious but my attitude has always been that whatever time it takes is valid as long as you aren’t obviously extending your street time. I’ve received between 1-5 sampling requests daily and I know that is a valid use of time while scanning the flats and letters. Good luck on the inspection. I know that’s easy for me to say not being involved. Thanks for writing.

430 Votes

Hi, I recently failed the LLV test for RCA and I asked if I can retake the test again but their answer is their are not sure. I was told I was ineligible for that position. I interviewed for CCA will I be able to retake it since it's diff location.

Asked by Martha Klufio about 9 years ago

Martha, I have no knowledge in the field of hiring and retests for when one fails an LLV test. Since you are applying for a different position at a different location, it's possible they let you retake the exam, but I'm just guessing.

I have no idea about the internal communications of USPS HR and if one dept or location would even know about the other. I'm guessing with the internal HR technology that they might share information about your past applications to the USPS but have no idea what impact that would have for your future hiring prospects. It is very important to learn how to drive the LLV safely and responsibly. I hope you get to take the exam again because I found that once you learn how to operate an LLV safely it becomes second nature even though the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle.

430 Votes

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Someone is using my physical address for mail but asking the PO to hold their mail for pick up. He used to live at the property but sold it in Nov2016. He will not complete a change of address form and the post master will not help. What can I do?

After I put my mail in a lock box and I decide I want my mail back (forgot to put a check in a letter), can the mail carrier give it back to me or not?

What is the premise to scan flats and letters, it’s ridiculous in my opinion, and what if a house is vacant or on hold, my guess is on the scanner to hit “not on the route “when it prompts, any thoughts

I noticed that I had a new mailman today, and I was wondering if they change route, how often and why? I was getting used to him after moving to my new neighborhood. Just curious...

Also on Jobstr...

gift for particular mailman instead of temp

What is the amount of time a carrier for parcels over the base amount. Or what is my base parcel amount for a route. Had 100 “scanner hits” went over 40 minutes street, took lunch and 10 minute break, doing route inspections next month in Massapequa

Hi, I recently failed the LLV test for RCA and I asked if I can retake the test again but their answer is their are not sure. I was told I was ineligible for that position. I interviewed for CCA will I be able to retake it since it's diff location.

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Someone is using my physical address for mail but asking the PO to hold their mail for pick up. He used to live at the property but sold it in Nov2016. He will not complete a change of address form and the post master will not help. What can I do?

After I put my mail in a lock box and I decide I want my mail back (forgot to put a check in a letter), can the mail carrier give it back to me or not?

What is the premise to scan flats and letters, it’s ridiculous in my opinion, and what if a house is vacant or on hold, my guess is on the scanner to hit “not on the route “when it prompts, any thoughts

I noticed that I had a new mailman today, and I was wondering if they change route, how often and why? I was getting used to him after moving to my new neighborhood. Just curious...

Also on Jobstr...

gift for particular mailman instead of temp

What is the amount of time a carrier for parcels over the base amount. Or what is my base parcel amount for a route. Had 100 “scanner hits” went over 40 minutes street, took lunch and 10 minute break, doing route inspections next month in Massapequa

Hi, I recently failed the LLV test for RCA and I asked if I can retake the test again but their answer is their are not sure. I was told I was ineligible for that position. I interviewed for CCA will I be able to retake it since it's diff location.

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