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.
When you put your mail on hold there is an option to either "pick up your mail" or "have the mail delivered to you" on a certain date. If you choose the latter, you may go to the Post Office with proper ID and see if they will give you the mail that has been held and notify your letter carrier to resume delivery the following day. I know that would likely be allowed at the PO which I work at. I can't speak for any other Post Offices. Your best option is to choose "Pick up mail" and then the mail can be held for up to 30 days at the Post Office and you don't have to worry whether you pick up the held mail in 5 days, 15 days, or anytime less than 30 days.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20was%20wondering%20if%20I%20put%20my%20mail%20on%20hold%20for%2010%20days%20am%20I%20allowed%20to%20pick%20my%20mail%20up%20before%20the%2010%20days&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10991)
I am not sure about this. If I had to guess, I'd hope that the collection box is still in use if it would allow you to deposit mail into it. I would suggest contacting the local post office nearest that collection box and see if they could provide you any further information.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20dropped%20a%20letter%20in%20a%20blue%20USPS%20collection%20box%20before%20noticing%20the%20box%20was%20no%20longer%20labeled%20to%20display%20pick%20up%20times%20or%20other%20information.%20%20This%20box%20location%20is%20not%20showing%20up%20on%20the%20USPS%20locator%20either.%20%20Does%20this%20mean%20my%20letter%20won%27t%20get%20mailed%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11867)
New Balance 706 Men's Postal Walking Shoe MK706B is the only shoe I've been wearing for the last few years as a postal letter carrier. My feet don't ache at all, but I must stress that everyone is different. Also, my most recent pair wore out very quickly, but I am wondering if that is because it was in storage for years before I actually used it. I'm not sure and they are about $100/pair. I'm sorry that I can't give you any other recommendations than that. The ones I mentioned are black, leather, lace-up and have a slip resistant grip with the SR/USA safety certification. There must be many choices available at a work clothes store like Work 'N Gear or Work 'N Play, or Cabela's. The trouble with ordering from a catalog is if you choose the wrong size or the shoes just don't feel right you have to return them via mail which could be a pain or have a fee involved for return postage. Again, I really like the shoes I mentioned above, but I have a new found concern about their longevity. Colin, thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hi%21%20I%20need%20your%20recommendation%20for%20a%20good%20pair%20of%20walking%20shoes.%20I%20just%20started%20working%20%40%20my%20local%20MACY%27S%20Dept.%20Store%20and%20the%20concrete%20floors%20are%20killing%20my%20feet%21%20I%20need%20black%2C%20slip-on%20or%20lace%20up%2C%20shoes%20that%20will%20be%20comfortable.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12379)
I would recommend not tipping the letter carrier when they bring the mail along with the package. It is a very nice service of him to do. We are technically not supposed to accept any gratuities but I haven't heard of this being enforced to any great extent. Whether or not you get good service from your letter carrier shouldn't depend on a tip. We are professionals that are paid a decent salary (i.e. we aren't paid a low salary such as a bartender/waiter/bellboy who rely on tips). I know some of my fellow USPS employees will disagree with my comments here, but this is how I truly feel re: tips.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Occasionally%20the%20mailman%20brings%20mail%20along%20with%20package%20%28too%20large%20for%20mailbox%29%20to%20the%20front%20door.%20Each%20time%2C%20I%20wonder%20if%20I%20should%20be%20tipping%20him.%20%20I%20haven%27t%20but%20it%20seems%20like%20I%20should%20offer%20it.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12903)
Bracketologist
Why have there been so many 15-2 upsets, but no 16-1's?
Fashion Forecaster
What country is the most fashion-forward?
Parcel Delivery Mailman
Does labeling a package "fragile" actually lead to you handling it with more care?
That is a very good question. I don't know the official answer to that question, but I know if I saw that outgoing mail was obviously there to be collected, I would collect it. Most addresses I service have at least 1 piece of mail per day to be delivered, but if it didn't I may take a glance from a distance to see if there was an obvious outgoing mail or a flag up on their mailbox indicating an outgoing item.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Is%20it%20true%20that%20obvious%20outgoing%20mail%20does%20not%20have%20to%20be%20collected%20unless%20there%20is%20mail%20to%20be%20delivered%20at%20that%20address%20that%20day%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10717)
Shawn, I'd say that this isn't common. Even if "one street over" meant a different town it still shouldn't differ by more of a day in my opinion. It's likely that the letter was missorted somewhere along the way or missdelivered, both which aren't rare. Hopefully the letter will arrive soon. Thank you to your S/O for her service to the country.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=So%20my%20significant%20other%20is%20in%20the%20military%20and%20she%20sent%20two%20letters%20on%20the%20same%20day%2C%20one%20to%20her%20mother%20who%20lives%20one%20street%20over%20was%20received%2C%20mine%20however%20i%20have%20yet%20to%20get%20and%20its%20been%204%20days%20since%20her%20mother%20got%20hers%3F%20Is%20this%20common%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11268)
Ken, the date you put down as the "end date" on the yellow authorization to Hold Mail card is the date that mail will be resumed. All accumulated mail will also be delivered on that date. Please make sure you have chosen the option for the "end hold" date as opposed to the option where you will pick up any mail that is on hold. If you choose the "pick up" option, no mail should be delivered until you pick up any accumulated mail at the Post Office. The system generally works well unless we forget to pay attention to the "ending date" on the hold which happens occasionally. Thank you for your inquiry.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20I%20end%20my%20mail%20hold%20on%20a%20Tuesday%20%28for%20example%29%20is%20my%20mail%20delivered%20on%20that%20Tuesday%20or%20the%20following%20day%2C%20Wednesday%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12888)
-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
