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.
Keegan, I don't know how the pay schedule works for RCA (Rural Carrier Associate) positins. I can direct you to check the website for the NRLCA (National Rural Letter Carriers' Association) at www.nrlca.org where they have some sections that may help you. It seems like you may have to log in to access some of their site. As far as uniforms go, I don't believe you get any allowance for uniforms. There is a minimal dress code to follow for working for the USPS, but I am pretty sure it is comprised of civilian clothes. I haven't seen a rural carrier or RCA where a postal uniform like a City Carrier would. The RCA which delivers mail from the PO that I work at gets to go home when she has completed her route as opposed to City Carriers who are "on the clock". I believe they are paid a set amount for the day no matter how long or short it takes them to deliver the route.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20have%20two%20questions.%20Do%20RCA%27s%20get%20an%20increase%20pay%20after%20being%20there%20a%20certain%20length%20of%20time%3F%20As%20far%20as%20the%20uniforms%20what%20all%20do%20they%20supply%3F%20%28ex%20shoes%2C%20winter%20coats%2C%20%23%20of%20uniforms%29&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13385)
It would probably be hard to live in NY on a CCA salary starting at $15/hr. I know some regular carriers work second jobs or work as much OT as available. My situation is a bit different as I am single, have low overhead (I own a co-op apt), and am very conservative with my spending. The NY metro area can be very expensive with regards to rental apts/houses and property taxes.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20recently%20became%20a%20new%20CCA%20in%20Denver.%20%20I%27ve%20always%20thought%20it%20would%20be%20great%20to%20live%20in%20NY%2C%20but%20I%27m%20wondering%20how%20you%20make%20ends%20meet%20given%20the%20salary%20for%20Carriers%20is%20the%20same%20nationwide.%20%20Do%20you%20have%20a%20two%20income%20household%2C%20etc%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9117)
Not to my knowledge unless the USPS closes their local office or district. In all of my years working on Long Island, maybe 1 or 2 occasions have we been unable to deliver the mail, but I don't remember if we were expected to report to work or not. It's possible though that I may not have the correct information and that a local state of emegergency would excuse a letter carrier from reporting to work.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Does%20the%20mail%20carrier%20get%20a%20day%20off%20when%20it%20is%20a%20state%20of%20emergency%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10656)
I am very happy that you received the envelope a couple of weeks ago with everything intact. I'm sorry that it took so long to get to back to you since it was undeliverable as originally addressed due to the intended recipient moving. Thanks for the update on the status of the envelope.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Thanks%20for%20the%20reply.%20Wanted%20to%20let%20everyone%20know%20I%20just%20received%20the%20envelope%20back%20the%20middle%20of%20February.%20everything%20intact.%20floated%20around%20somewhere%20for%203%20months%21%20see%20original%20post%20at%20http%3A%2F%2Fjobstr.com%2Fthreads%2Fshow%2F4154-mailman%23question_10600&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10804)
Freelance Writer
How do you go about getting your first clients?
Server / Bartender
What's the best tip you ever got?
Chef
Is it true that the "specials" are usually the stuff that's been sitting around awhile?
I am not sure how you would apply for a specific PO to work at. More often than not I believe hiring is done by region that covers several different POs. For example, when I was hired in 1998, I had taken an exam which covered all offices which had ZIP codes which began with 117 and I was hired in one of them. You could go in to the Post Office and ask how to get hired in a certain area though I am not sure how much assistance one specific office can be since hiring is done through a more central HR office and not one local office.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=We%20have%20several%20post%20offices%20in%20the%20area.%20%20I%20want%20to%20apply%20to%20carry%20in%20a%20particular%20part%20of%20town.%20%20How%20can%20I%20find%20out%20what%20area%20a%20particular%20post%20office%20covers%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10365)
Most carriers hired are CCAs as of now. I don't know if there are any benefits but if you look at www.usps.com there may be information in the careers/employment section. The good news is that if you are a CCA and a FT vacancy opens up, CCAs are promoted and will receive all the benefits of health insurance and paid leave.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Without%20any%20benefits%2C%20it%20kinda%20sounds%20scary%2C%20do%20they%20not%20have%20regular%20full%20time%20with%20benefits%20carrier%20positions%20anymore%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9752)
Usually mail won't be forwarded unless there is a forwarding order on file by the former residents. You can try putting the new address on the mail and putting it out for the letter carrier but I don't know that it will get to the new address. Another option is to mark the mail "no longer at this address" and put it out for the letter carrier to take. Thank you for your email question..
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=We%20just%20moved%20into%20a%20new%20home%20and%20we%20continue%20to%20get%20mail%20for%20the%20former%20resident.%20If%20%20I%20write%20on%20their%20mail%20a%20forwarding%20address%20will%20a%20letter%20carrier%20deliver%20it%20to%20their%20new%20home%20address%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9812)
-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
