Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

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.

453 Votes

It now looks like the carrier signed for the letter him/ herself, using a single letter, days after failing to complete the restricted delivery. I need to file some sort of claim now against the post office, and it breaks my heart to do so. how?

Asked by KDS4444 about 8 years ago

I don’t know anything about the claims process and what type of compensation you’d be entitled to beyond the cost of mailing the item unless you purchased insurance or if the type of mailing has insurance associated with it. The carrier shouldn’t have signed for a restricted delivery item. It shouldn’t break your heart to do this. I’d be more aggravated by not getting a service you paid for. To be honest, I often sign for customers when they have certified letters or packages that ask for a signature confirmation. This is mainly because I know most of the people who I deliver mail to. It hasn’t come back to haunt me, yet. I wouldn’t sign for a domestic registered item or for a Restricted Delivery item. As far as how to file a claim, you could go to a Post Office and inquire about the process or perhaps look at www.usps.com for guidance.

452 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 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.

452 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.

451 Votes

If I sent out documents and mail that got wet, will i get in trouble, and will anyone know it was me?

Asked by bob over 8 years ago

I don't think you'd get in trouble for that. The recipient may question why the mail and documents look water damaged but I don't know that they could pinpoint it was you who sent it in that condition. Mail is often wet when I deliver it in the rain. It's difficult during downpours to keep it dry and to be honest I don't try that hard to keep it completely dry. The bottom of my mail satchel gets wet very easily so when I carry mail in it the edge of the mail will often get wet. If the recipient has an issue with the condition their mail came in they may just ask you to resubmit the documents if that is possible. Thanks for the question and I hope I helped you.

451 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 over 8 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.

451 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.

450 Votes

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

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What do YOU do?

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.

It now looks like the carrier signed for the letter him/ herself, using a single letter, days after failing to complete the restricted delivery. I need to file some sort of claim now against the post office, and it breaks my heart to do so. how?

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

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...

If I sent out documents and mail that got wet, will i get in trouble, and will anyone know it was me?

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.

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?

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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.

It now looks like the carrier signed for the letter him/ herself, using a single letter, days after failing to complete the restricted delivery. I need to file some sort of claim now against the post office, and it breaks my heart to do so. how?

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

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...

If I sent out documents and mail that got wet, will i get in trouble, and will anyone know it was me?

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.

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?

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