Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

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.

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Last Answer on February 18, 2022

Best Rated

I manage a large mixed use building that has been remodeled from one address into 40 different adresses/ tenants. We have a main mailbox lobby for letters, but not for parcels. Is USPS required to deliver parcels to the doors of these businesses?

Asked by Mbrant over 11 years ago

I don't know the answer to this question. I would think if there are no parcel lockers in your lobby, then the USPS should attempt delivery to the business and leave the parcel if it can be sAfely left. Sorry I don't have more info on this.

If the letter hasn't been mailed within the 1-3 day span, should I just send another letter or wait more days to see if it has arrived?

Asked by BWras about 11 years ago

I would wait several more days because letters do get missorted, or misdirected. Hopefully the letter will reach its destination in a few more days. 

My son works at convienence store standing and walking 12 hours a day can you please tell me what kind of shoes you wear. thankyou donna

Asked by donna about 11 years ago

I wear uniform issue letter carrier shoes. The brand I usually wear is New Balance and have a special non-slip surface. The USPS provides us with a yearly allowance to put towards uniforms and footwear.

Are carriers allowed to listen to an mp3 player while walking a route?

Asked by Johnny over 10 years ago

That is a great question which I will answer in 2 ways. For the last few years I wore an MP3 player (iphone) with a wired earpiece while I delivered mail on foot and listened to podcasts. I always left one ear exposed and not listening to the podcasts. Nobody ever said a word to me about it. Recently, however, I returned to work after an extended absence (on an off for almost one year) and a co-worker who saw me "wired" to listen to the PED said that while I was out we had a service/safety talk that we weren't allowed to be using the PED's while we are at work either in or out of the Post Office. I thanked him for his advice, but thought I would do a little more investigating. I asked about 2 or 3 other co-workers and they said they didn't know anything about a rule like that. I didn't ask my supervisor or shop steward. I don't believe it is anything you would get disciplined for, but the mgmt. may say you aren't allowed to use them. If they ever did that I may ask to see that policy in writing even though I could see mgmt. as saying it falls under the "you will be distracted" reasoning. Again, I have never seen it as an issue at the PO where I work, but please keep in mind that I don't listen to it loudly and only have the ear buds in one ear. When a customer comes to speak with me, I put the personal electronic device (PED) on pause and sometimes even take out the earpiece. I would be very disappointed if they made a rule about not listening to an MP3 player while delivering mail as that is very helpful in getting me through the workday, not to mention I learn a lot from the podcasts. Thanks for writing in with your question.

The country club that I work for has a mailman who visits the bathroom evreyday. He dirties the mirror, and stall. He has never asked to use it or purchased anything from us. He was even on another route and would come to use our bathroom. What to do

Asked by Golf Pro over 11 years ago

That is a tricky situation. On the one hand, we like to think that most buildings would allow us to use their facilities. On the other hand, we should be respectful of the courtesy being offered and nOT dirty up the place. The only suggestion I could think of is to approach the mailman and ask him to be a bit cleaner when he uses the bathroom. Another option would be to put up a sign saying "please help us keep this bathroom clean by nOT smudging the mirror and don't litter" In a country club, I don't think a sign like that would go over too well,

What kind of shoes do you wear? Specifically, what works best in snow and ice conditions? Do women carriers wear the same type(s) of shoes?

Asked by Elaine about 11 years ago

This is a great question. Dry, comfortable footwear is of vital importance when working in snow, wet, cold, or icy conditions. Your uniorm allowance allows you to purchase several pair of shoes or overshoes per year to protect your feet. I wear rubberovershoes which fit over my standard shoes when it will be wet or snowy out. Furthermore, if it will be icy, we are issued small spiked overshoes to help us keep our grip on the snow or ice. Women and Men generally wear the same type of shoes except the sizing my be a little different.

Is it illegal for a mail carrier to photograph or video: mail, employees, managers and operations? Is withholding information about their DWI while employed as a driver still bad even if it happened 5 years ago. Is it bad conduct to video customers

Asked by Kris over 10 years ago

Kris, I don't know the answer to your question regarding the legality of photographing or videotaping mail, employees, managers or operations. I have never seen anybody do it while "on the clock", but I don't think it would be looked upon well by others. Also, I also don't recommend videotaping customers. It could be reported to management and it may not be allowed. With regards to a DWI while employed as a driver, I don't recommend withholding information that would be available on a driving record from a state dept. of Motor Vehicles. I don't know if a DWI stays on permanently. On the other hand, if the USPS couldn't find out about a past DWI and disclosing it would result in disqualification from being hired, it would be better not to disclose it.