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.
FH, thanks for your question. I’ll start by saying your mileage may vary. I don’t know if there is a correct procedure as to how to handle mail delivery to a business which is sometimes open and sometimes closed. I would usually go inside to deliver the mail and ask if there is any outgoing mail if a receptionist or other personnel are available. I mostly deliver to residences so I don’t have a lot of experience in this situation. It’s possible that the business owner has an exterior mailbox and prefers or doesn’t mind if the mail is left in the mailbox whether or not the business is open. I suppose a carrier who delivers to the same business daily knows what is preferred but there are often substitutes delivering the mail so if there are no instructions left for that substitute and no sign on the mailbox saying “please come inside if the office is open” then I’m not sure what that letter carrier would do. We are often told so little how to do certain procedures which is why i almost always put in the disclaimer of “your mileage may vary”.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=When%20delivering%20to%20a%20business%20do%20you%20bring%20the%20mail%20inside%20or%20put%20it%20in%20the%20mail%20box.%20My%20family%20has%20a%20business%20with%20a%20mail%20slot%20in%20the%20door%20and%20if%20the%20place%20is%20open%20they%20bring%20it%20inside%20usually&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/20466)
I doubt the q is relevant to this website subject.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=THE%20TV%20METROLOGIST%20HAS%20GONE%20AWAY%20WITH%20OUT%20WARRING%20WHERE%20HAS%20HE%20GONE%20AND%20WHY%3F%21&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/21535)
I recommend you do not do that. The postage is the main source of revenue that allows the USPS to exist to deliver that letter. I know that doesn’t answer your question. If you mail a letter without postage it may get through and be delivered. It’s also possible that there is another outcome. The letter may be returned to you marked “returned for postage” on the envelope. The other possibility is that the letter will reach its destination but the recipient would have to pay the postage that you didn’t put on the envelope. This is known as “postage due”. Please affix proper postage before mailing any item. The current rate (as of Feb 2020) for a first-class one oz. letter is .55
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Could%20I%20mail%20a%20letter%20without%20a%20postage%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/21696)
I have never noticed that. I know that a rural carrier who sometimes uses their own vehicle sometimes just has a placard or magnetic sticker on the car that says US Mail. The USPS didn’t exist before 1971 but our whole fleet in use now would be substantially newer than that. My vehicle says “United States Postal Service” and also “www.usps.com” on the side. Our logos used to be an eagle which said “US Mail” below it. My uniform now has a more modern eagle and says “United States Postal Service”. To me they are synonymous terms.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Why%20are%20some%20mail%20vehicles%20marked%20USPS%20and%20others%20just%20marked%20US%20mail%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/21652)
Correctional Officer
Why does gang formation and racial segregation happen so much in prisons?
Dating Website Employee
What are the most common mistakes guys make on out their profiles?
Border Patrol Agent
What's the most creative way you saw cartels getting drugs across the border?
In the vehicle I drive, which is called an LLV (Long life vehicle), there is no radio or any kind installed. No AM/FM and no 2-way radio with the base post office or any dispatch. We use cell phones to either call or text our supervisors if necessary. Our hand held scanning devices also have the ability to text message the supervisors but I don’t think those messages are checked too frequently by the management. The phone is our best means of communication IMO.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Do%20you%20have%20radios%20in%20your%20truck%3F%20I%20am%20talking%20about%20both%20two%20ways%20and%20AM%2FFM&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/21313)
I didn’t think about that with regards to your last question about an address having no mailbox. You are correct. Many businesses don’t have mailboxes. We would just walk in and leave it with an employee at the business, at a reception area or other designated area. If the business happens to be closed when we get there, it’s normal procedure to just attempt the mail on the next delivery day. This is very common in office buildings when many businesses are closed on Saturday. We would bring all accumulated mail for delivery on the next delivery day (usually a Monday).
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=In%20response%20to%20the%20last%20question.%20If%20its%20a%20bussiness%20cant%20you%20walk%20in%20and%20give%20it%20to%20someone%20who%20works%20there%20if%20theres%20no%20mailbox&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/20725)
It doesn’t sound like a good first impression, but it doesn’t sound like you did anything malicious on purpose. I don’t know that I would ever harshly scold anyone about most things but I have a high amount of patience which maybe your carrier, doesn’t have. I suppose the next time you see her you could explain (or apologize) that you didn’t mean anything by it. I also guess you could wait until the letter carrier is completely done sorting the mall before checking on your mail, but I don’t think that is always necessary either. I’m sorry to be so vague, but it almost seems like a short temper on behalf of the letter carrier. This is based on what you’ve described not truly knowing either of your personalities. I just hope your next interaction with your letter carrier is calm and cordial. Thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%27m%20a%20new%20resident%20in%20a%20high%20rise%20apt%20bldg.%20My%20mail%20carrier%20scolded%20me%20harshly%20today%20saying%20%22I%20snuck%20up%20behind%20her%22%20while%20I%20was%20checking%20my%20mail.%20Not%20a%20good%20first%20impression%20to%20make%20with%20your%20mail%20carrier.%20How%20do%20I%20smooth%20it%20over%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/21145)
-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
