Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

I've heard that ccas that don't make it through their probation are fired,and they have no future,because no company (private sector) will hire them. I'm only speaking for those law abiding citizens,who tried to do the right thing,but weren't fast

Asked by 90 day probation pressure about 12 years ago

I can't imagine that not making it through probation as a CCA means that their future in the private sector is ruined. How would a future employer even know that you were a probationary CCA for the USPS unless told by the applicant? I understand how it can be somewhat of a conflicting situation to want to do the job properly (i.e. deliver the mail accurately and safely) and be under a time pressure from management to get a route (or part of a route) done in a certain amount of time. For some, it isn't easy to do both without resorting to some type of illegal tactic. This job isn't for everybody as it does take a fair amount of organization, literacy, and knowledge of an area to do correctly. I hope you do make through probation and thank you for your question.

1158 Votes

How do you handle dogs

Asked by JTDN almost 13 years ago

We all carry Dog repellent spray with us. This can be used if we feel threatened or about to be attacked by a dog. Most dog owners where I deliver mail are responsible so it's not usually a problem. We are allowed to skip or suspend delivery of mail to an address if a dog is a persistent problem. Fortunately my issues with dogs delivering mail have been few and far between. Good question!

1158 Votes

Can you place package in the blue collection boxes? I looked it up online and see conflicting answers. The USPS site says only stamped mail up to 13 oz while many discussion boards say this does not apply to prepaid postage so if fits its okay.

Asked by Amanda over 12 years ago

n the blue collection box, you can put a package with pre-paid postage if it is metered from a computer program like click 'n ship or Business Reply Mail. The 13 oz limit applies if the package only contains stamps. If it is greater than 13oz and only contains stamps it must be presented to a postal employee. This is due to aviation security regulations

1158 Votes

Hi Dave,
It states on USPS website that Express Mail items are available for hold at a local office. In other words, just hold at the office and don't try to deliver the item. I haven't found that to be true, PO delivers every item. Is this possible?

Asked by Jeff about 13 years ago

The sender can request that the Express Mail item be held for pickup at the destination PO. I don't know how often it is used. You are correct that most Express Mail items are delivered as addressed. Keep in mind that I'm a letter carrier so I probably wouldn't see the hold for pickup items. Good question!

1158 Votes

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You said you work 8 hour days from roughly 7 to 4 with breaks thrown in between. Do you have to work 8 hours or can you get off as soon as you finish your route?

Asked by John almost 13 years ago

As a regular city carrier, your work day is 8 hours plus 30 min. Or 1 hr. lunch. You can't go home if you finish your route early. Rural carriers can get off as soon as they finish their route. For some that may be as little as 5 hrs/day. they are paid on a different pay schedule which is based more on mail volume than time on the clock.

1158 Votes

Hello, Can you tell me what happens when a first class mail parcel goes missing and it was never scanned by the mail carrier does the mail carrier have to pay out of their own pocket?

Asked by anon almost 12 years ago

I don't think there is any penalty for the letter carrier to pay anything out of pocket. I've never heard of this happening with respect to a First Class Mail Parcel going missing. It is usually hard to prove that a mail carrier actually had possession of the parcel and then didn't deliver it. I know the scans are meant for tracking an item but it may not prove internally who had possession of the parcel. This is different from a registered or certified item which we sign for when we take possession of them. The item could go missing anywhere along in the mail stream. I suppose if one particular mail carrier had several complaints that parcels on their route were missing it would raise some eyebrows and there would need to be an investigation as to the rate of missing parcels. I've never heard of it happening where I work, but I'm sure there are some letter carriers who aren't very honest. I still don't know how one could get away with taking multiple parcels without being caught. Then again, I don't have that kind of mindset so I'm a bit naive when it comes to this subject.

1157 Votes

Is it required that a postman attempt to deliver a package to you/your house? Ours used to do that, but he no longer does - just leaves a slip in our mailbox, and I have to pick it up at the P.O. the next day.

Asked by lrmt almost 13 years ago

I would think if the package could be left in a safe place (discretion of the carrier) then it should be. If they were not able to leave it, they should at least have knocked on your door to see if someone was home to accept the package. In our office, all packages are definitely taken out for delivery each day. As to whether they are all actually delivered (or attempted) I can't say. If you happen to see the carrier, maybe you could ask why he has stopped delivering the packageS and only leaving notices.

1157 Votes

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Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I've heard that ccas that don't make it through their probation are fired,and they have no future,because no company (private sector) will hire them. I'm only speaking for those law abiding citizens,who tried to do the right thing,but weren't fast

How do you handle dogs

Can you place package in the blue collection boxes? I looked it up online and see conflicting answers. The USPS site says only stamped mail up to 13 oz while many discussion boards say this does not apply to prepaid postage so if fits its okay.

Hi Dave,
It states on USPS website that Express Mail items are available for hold at a local office. In other words, just hold at the office and don't try to deliver the item. I haven't found that to be true, PO delivers every item. Is this possible?

Also on Jobstr...

You said you work 8 hour days from roughly 7 to 4 with breaks thrown in between. Do you have to work 8 hours or can you get off as soon as you finish your route?

Hello, Can you tell me what happens when a first class mail parcel goes missing and it was never scanned by the mail carrier does the mail carrier have to pay out of their own pocket?

Is it required that a postman attempt to deliver a package to you/your house? Ours used to do that, but he no longer does - just leaves a slip in our mailbox, and I have to pick it up at the P.O. the next day.

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I've heard that ccas that don't make it through their probation are fired,and they have no future,because no company (private sector) will hire them. I'm only speaking for those law abiding citizens,who tried to do the right thing,but weren't fast

How do you handle dogs

Can you place package in the blue collection boxes? I looked it up online and see conflicting answers. The USPS site says only stamped mail up to 13 oz while many discussion boards say this does not apply to prepaid postage so if fits its okay.

Hi Dave,It states on USPS website that Express Mail items are available for hold at a local office. In other words, just hold at the office and don't try to deliver the item. I haven't found that to be true, PO delivers every item. Is this possible?

Also on Jobstr...

You said you work 8 hour days from roughly 7 to 4 with breaks thrown in between. Do you have to work 8 hours or can you get off as soon as you finish your route?

Hello, Can you tell me what happens when a first class mail parcel goes missing and it was never scanned by the mail carrier does the mail carrier have to pay out of their own pocket?

Is it required that a postman attempt to deliver a package to you/your house? Ours used to do that, but he no longer does - just leaves a slip in our mailbox, and I have to pick it up at the P.O. the next day.

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Hi Dave,
It states on USPS website that Express Mail items are available for hold at a local office. In other words, just hold at the office and don't try to deliver the item. I haven't found that to be true, PO delivers every item. Is this possible?