Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

As a mail carrier if you pick up a small package at one of those blue boxes can you deliver it to a local business with out taking it back to the postal hub.

Asked by Jeffery Fowler almost 7 years ago

Jeffrey, I don’t know the official answer to this question. In the post office where I work, the carriers who collect mail front the blue collection boxes generally aren’t delivering mail on any specific postal route. They probably aren’t even looking at the destination address when they collect the mail. I’m pretty sure most mail that is collected from the blue mailboxes gets sent to the a processing and distribution center. Very little, if any, local mail is intercepted and delivered without it ever leaving our local PO. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for participating in the Q and A ?

308 Votes

Was wondering if it's possible to mail a standard Priority package using a Priority Express envelope, and only pay the standard postage? And can you mark out with sharpie the "Express" logo so the carrier will know what your intentions are?
Thanks-

Asked by DAVIDB over 7 years ago

I’d recommend against doing this because Priority Mail Express Envelopes are specifically to be used for that purpose only. I don’t know the the ru!es for sure. Some postal employees, myself included, are sometimes sticklers for the correct postage being applied to go along with the type of packaging used. The supplies are provided free of charge with the condition that a certain class of mail is required to use the free packaging. While I can’t say your proposal to put a sharpie marker through the “express” markings wouldn’t serve your intended purpose, I’d recommend playing it safe and not doing that. Thank you for your question.

305 Votes

Why have I never seen a mailman take a break?

Asked by Leon74 almost 7 years ago

That’s funny. Some people would say why don’t I ever see the mailman working. We definitely take breaks during our delivery day. Contractually we are entitled to 30 minute lunch (unpaid) and two paid 10-minute breaks. Some assignments are allowed a one-hr lunch but it is still unpaid. We are also allowed as many bathroom breaks as needed. To answer your question, I’m not sure why you don’t need see them on a break. I am on one right now answering your question. To maximize the time I have for a break/lunch, I generally just sit in my postal vehicle and eat or use the Internet. Some letter carriers meet for lunch and buy food. If your letter carrier is a rural carrier, you may not see them take a break because they can go home as soon as their deliveries are finished. City carriers (which is what I am) are “on the clock” so we generally take our authorized breaks.

305 Votes

What do you do if you get in a wreck?

Asked by Jamss about 6 years ago

Let’s just hope I don’t! That wasn’t the answer you’re looking for. I’ve never been in a wreck yet, but have had plenty of close calls and it’s possible one day my luck will run out. If we get into a wreck, we are directed to call a supervisor and also call the police dept if a report needs to be filed or if there are any injuries. A supervisor will then report to the scene and take some photos and information. A tow truck will be called if the vehicle is not driveable. After that is taken care of, the letter carrier is usually not allowed to drive a postal vehicle until they go for a multi-hour driver training course. I’ve noticed they try to have that course scheduled pretty quickly to get the carrier back to their normal duties. While their driving privileges are suspended, the carrier will often be given office duties or be driven around and then walk a route if that’s the method of delivery. The bottom line is drive defensively and hope to not get into an accident.

302 Votes

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I heard you guys are supposed to back into parking spaces is that true. Is it also true that if you hit something that could be it for your job

Asked by Mr C over 6 years ago

These are 2 good questions which, as always, don’t have definitive answers.

1) On the subject of backing into parking spaces it has been so many years since I was trained on driving a postal vehicle but I do think that is what I was taught. I do this almost always when driving a postal vehicle or personal vehicle. While it is definitely refrained on by management to back up the vehicle, it is recommended to park this way so when we leave the parking space, it’s much easier to see the situation. When we back in we often will know the current situation so can back in more safely to a space. Most of our vehicles don’t have backup cameras so there are some more difficult areas to see when the vehicle is in reverse. I think it’s a great idea to back in as often as possible as long as you aren’t delaying traffic behind you. I often use my hazard flashers when I want a car to pass me so I can put the vehicle in reverse.

2) in general, if you strike an object or get into an accident, you won’t lose your job. I’ve never seen a letter carrier fired for this reason unless they were in their first 90 days (the probationary period). Most of the time, you are prohibited from driving a USPS vehicle until you get some remedial training or watch some safety videos. I suppose if you had multiple motor vehicle accidents or were find to be willfully negligent with the operation of the vehicle, you could be terminated. We are represented by a union so most terminations would be challenged via grievance procedure. If one were found to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while driving a postal vehicle, that may also lead to termination.

301 Votes

What do you do if your in a accident?

Asked by Ruth almost 6 years ago

Fortunately this has not happened to me and hope it doesn’t but of course it could. If we get into an accident we would call 911 if necessary and definitely call our supervisor. The supervisor would come out to the scene take some photos take a report and then we would either go to an emergency room if necessary or just go back to the office. If there is more of the route to still be completed, other letter carriers will probably have to finish up the delivery, likely with OT pay. More often than not, the letter carrier Who was involved in the accident may not be able to drive a postal service vehicle until they have gone through some driver refresher training. If the accident was clearly not their fault they may be able to skip this step. I have had some close calls, but fortunately the only collisions i have had were minor involving side-view mirrors striking some tree branches and breaking the mirror.

300 Votes

Yo for real just a few days ago he was answering questions and then boom just says he’s off slaying dragons and shit

Asked by Jdjd over 5 years ago

I guess that happens sometimes on these kind of sites.

298 Votes

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