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.
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20is%20the%20premise%20to%20scan%20flats%20and%20letters%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20ridiculous%20in%20my%20opinion%2C%20and%20what%20if%20a%20house%20is%20vacant%20or%20on%20hold%2C%20my%20guess%20is%20on%20the%20scanner%20to%20hit%20%E2%80%9Cnot%20on%20the%20route%20%E2%80%9Cwhen%20it%20prompts%2C%20any%20thoughts&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/19553)
Van, I'm sorry that I don't have any secret tips about casing quickly. By shadow day I guess that means you watch someone while they do their job. I admit when you first see a carrier case with so many addresses and then you have some so much mail to put in the case it is overwhelming. My advice is to not get distracted by outside music or your cellphone. Try to remember where a particular street is on the case. I've found that when you are put in front of a new carrier case it is intimidating, but the more you do it the easier it should become. Do not give up easily as you are just starting your job now at the USPS. I've found it to be a worthwhile career.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=2morrow%20is%20my%202nd%20shadow%20day%20as%20a%20rural%20carrier%20%26%20the%20next%20day%20I%27ll%20be%20on%20my%20own.%20How%20on%20earth%20will%20I%20ever%20be%20able%202%20case%20all%20the%20mail%20in%20a%20timely%20manner%3F%20600%2B%20boxes%20on%20the%20route%20and%20I%20am%20overwhelmed%20already.%20Do%20you%20have%20any%20tips%20on%20casing%20quickly%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17848)
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=what%20do%20I%20do%20to%20show%20that%20I%27m%20taking%20initiative%20for%20my%20barking%2C%20aggressive%20dog%3F%20He%20was%20recently%20reported%20and%20my%20neighbor%20was%20told%20that%20he%20will%20not%20be%20entering%20the%20street%20if%20he%20sees%20him%20out%20which%20is%20completely%20fair.%20Can%20I%20redeem%20myself%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18549)
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20noticed%20that%20I%20had%20a%20new%20mailman%20today%2C%20and%20I%20was%20wondering%20if%20they%20change%20route%2C%20how%20often%20and%20why%3F%20I%20was%20getting%20used%20to%20him%20after%20moving%20to%20my%20new%20neighborhood.%20Just%20curious...&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/19354)
Help Desk Technician
Are people appreciative when you help them or do they just treat you like a support monkey?
Private Detective
Has anyone ever caught you surveilling them, and what happened?
Dry Cleaner
Why do dry cleaners have autographed pictures on their walls?
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20you%20send%20a%20wooden%20%20spoon%20with%20the%20address%20burn%20into%20it%20and%20the%20message%20on%20the%20back%20without%20having%20to%20mess%20with%20package.%20With%20a%20spot%20left%20for%20the%20stamp%20or%20stamps%3F%20It%20would%20be%20USA%20to%20USA.%0AAsking%20from%20AL.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/19356)
Jvitto58, I don’t know what our manuals say about this situation. I always feel we are given such little guidance on when to drop off a parcel on a relay. I know you are going to have route inspections soon. I don’t have much of a memory of what they are like so I can’t give you my experience. If a parcel doesn’t fit in my satchel, I will generally deliver it when I pass the address. This may be before of after I deliver the relay depending on where the park point is for a particular relay. I don’t flag the mail for addresses that have a parcel. I deliver the mail as I normally would and then deliver the parcel before or after the relay. To be honest, I have a geographically compact route so I often deliver most of my larger parcels before I even begin delivering mail for the day. I know you didn’t ask me this and I definitely don’t recommend doing it on an inspection as it can be considered inefficient or time-wasting. I just like to get the larger items out of my postal delivery vehicle. I try not to circle back with the truck if I can avoid it, but to me there are no absolutes and each day has some different nuances when it comes to parcel delivery. Regarding your route inspection, just try to give a fair effort. Don’t hurry, but don’t be a turtle either. I truly don’t have any great guidance because I’ve rarely, if ever, been involved in one.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20is%20the%20rule%20regarding%20parcels%20drops%20before%20you%20go%20to%20the%20next%20park%20point%3F%20Do%20you%20have%20to%20flag%20mail%20for%20that%20house%20and%20deliver%2C%20or%20do%20relay%20first%20then%20drop%20off%20parcel%20if%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20fit%20in%20bag%2C%20so%20may%20have%20to%20circle%20back%20with%20the%20truck.%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/19600)
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Someone%20is%20using%20my%20physical%20address%20for%20mail%20but%20asking%20the%20PO%20to%20hold%20their%20mail%20for%20pick%20up.%20He%20used%20to%20live%20at%20the%20property%20but%20sold%20it%20in%20Nov2016.%20He%20will%20not%20complete%20a%20change%20of%20address%20form%20and%20the%20post%20master%20will%20not%20help.%20What%20can%20I%20do%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18415)
-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
