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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 about 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.

467 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 over 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.

467 Votes

I have been a CCA for 60 days now. I love the job. What do you recommend for me to keep myself hydrated during the summer when it's hot. I've been drinking Powerade but I've read drinking too many of those aren't good for you.

Asked by Toni almost 9 years ago

Congratulations and good luck to you in your postal career. I'm glad you love it so far. Despite some personal hurdles I've had along the way, I absolutely love it most days and feel very fortunate to have this career. I don't know Powerade but I'm assuming it's an energy drink. I see Gatorade is the main competitor. The main criticism of those types of drinks is the high sugar content. My advice (with no scientific background) is to just drink 1-2 day at most and then hydrate with water. I mostly d non-sugar naturally flavored sparkling water beverages. I drink it quite a bit on hot days and it seems to help so much. I've avoided the Powerade type drinks mainly because I don't want to ingest so much sugar that could hurt my teeth and body. Moderation is my advice. Thanks for writing.

467 Votes

what do I do to show that I'm taking initiative for my barking, aggressive dog? He was recently reported and my neighbor was told that he will not be entering the street if he sees him out which is completely fair. Can I redeem myself?

Asked by Diane almost 9 years ago

I'm not sure what you can do about this because I can't speak for what another letter carrier will do in this situation. It is admirable that you are taking initiative for your barking, aggressive dog. If your dog is out but contained in a yard and behind a fence or gate, I'm not sure why your letter carrier wouldn't come on the street. I see some aggressive, big loud dogs while delivering mail but they aren't loose so I don't worry about them. I am not someone who is good with dogs but know many people love their pets. I think you may need to contact the post office and have a conversation with the delivery supervisor and explain (if true) that your dog isn't near the mailbox, is contained in a safe area and isn't a threat to the letter carrier. I don't know what the resolution will be, but it has to start with a conversation. Most rational letter carriers can figure out if a dog is a threat or not. A loud aggressive bark shouldn't be the sole determination.

466 Votes

In less than two weeks I will be converted to full time on a T6 route. Do you have any tips or advice?

Asked by Mr FullTime about 9 years ago

Congratulations Mr. fulltime. That's a clever name. As far as any tips or advice I have a few. First, you are there to serve the residents or businesses on the routes, not the regular carrier who normally does the route. This means you don't have to do any favors or anything that the regular asks you to do for the customers. Please just be conscientious about delivering the mail properly and accurately. I'd recommend not going too fast just to get the route done. It's best to go at a consistent moderate pace and don't waste time on your cell phone texting and talking to people when you should be focused on working safely and efficiently. If you aren't sure about a certain delivery or maybe how to do a route, you can ask the regular carrier and hopefully they will help you. I have a route which I deliver daily, but when I have a non-scheduled day, the T6 delivers it. I give my "floater" or "comp person" the information they'd need re: houses where there are vacancies or forwards or dogs to be aware of. If the regular carrier comes in for his non-scheduled day for OT, it's possible (depending on how your office operates) you could be "bumped" off that assigned route for the day and deliver another route in the office. My advice would also be to try to stay out of any office politics if possible. Having the same route to deliver daily, I don't need to know much about what else is happening at the PO. Good luck to you, sir!

466 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 over 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.

465 Votes

Can you send a wooden spoon with the address burn into it and the message on the back without having to mess with package. With a spot left for the stamp or stamps? It would be USA to USA.
Asking from AL.

Asked by Curious Penpal over 8 years ago

Interesting Q. I don’t see why not. The coconuts mailed from Hawaii are popular I think and they aren’t packaged. You’d probably need the first class parcel rate. The best answer would be from your local post office. I can’t say I see non-packages items mailed often but I don’t know a rule that it has to be boxed in anyway. The important things are sufficient postage and a legible address and not a prohibited item.

465 Votes

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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.

I have been a CCA for 60 days now. I love the job. What do you recommend for me to keep myself hydrated during the summer when it's hot. I've been drinking Powerade but I've read drinking too many of those aren't good for you.

what do I do to show that I'm taking initiative for my barking, aggressive dog? He was recently reported and my neighbor was told that he will not be entering the street if he sees him out which is completely fair. Can I redeem myself?

Also on Jobstr...

In less than two weeks I will be converted to full time on a T6 route. Do you have any tips or advice?

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?

Can you send a wooden spoon with the address burn into it and the message on the back without having to mess with package. With a spot left for the stamp or stamps? It would be USA to USA.
Asking from AL.

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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.

I have been a CCA for 60 days now. I love the job. What do you recommend for me to keep myself hydrated during the summer when it's hot. I've been drinking Powerade but I've read drinking too many of those aren't good for you.

what do I do to show that I'm taking initiative for my barking, aggressive dog? He was recently reported and my neighbor was told that he will not be entering the street if he sees him out which is completely fair. Can I redeem myself?

Also on Jobstr...

In less than two weeks I will be converted to full time on a T6 route. Do you have any tips or advice?

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?

Can you send a wooden spoon with the address burn into it and the message on the back without having to mess with package. With a spot left for the stamp or stamps? It would be USA to USA.Asking from AL.

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Can you send a wooden spoon with the address burn into it and the message on the back without having to mess with package. With a spot left for the stamp or stamps? It would be USA to USA.
Asking from AL.