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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

1237 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

Best Rated

What do you do if somebody on your route walks up and asks you if you would hand them their mail instead of putting it in the box?

Asked by bryce over 11 years ago

If I had the mail somewhat accessible in an easy manner and if I knew who they were (which I usually do since I dsliver the same route daily) then I would hand them their mail. This doesn't happen very often though. If their house is later in the route and their mail isn't quickly accessible, I don't go out of my way to give them their mail that far ahead of time. I may make an exception if it is asked once in awhile, but not on a regular basis.

Does the mail man take a envelope with a old date

Asked by yellie over 10 years ago

I am not sure exactly what you mean regarding taking an envelope with an old date. If you mean a postage meter date, I imagine most letter carriers don't look at the date and if the envelope doesn't appear to have been used before, they would take it. I believe that a postage meter date should reflect the date of mailing. If an envelope has a postage meter with an old date and looks to have been reused, I would refuse to take it and possibly write on it "invalid meter date or reuse of postage." I don't think I've ever encountered that situation. If an evnvelope has postage stamps and has been postmarked already, that would mean that the stamps are used and can't be used for mailing. Again, most letter carriers don't look at the date of an envelope when accepting it for mailing. Thanks for writing in with your question.

I just got hired as a CCA and start orientation next week. Go me! The current CCA (9 years) that delivers to my house is still trying to go FT. That seems a very long time to wait. IYO, how hard is it to go FT in the Los Angeles metro area?

Asked by FF over 11 years ago

I don't have any inside knowledge on how long it would take to make a FT regular carrier in the LA area. I agree though that 9 yrs is a long time to wait. Congratulations and good luck to you!

Is it possible to go to the post office to ask for my package before it is delivered via postman?

Asked by Carly about 11 years ago

I believe you generally can't pick up a package before it is delivered because it is possible that the carrier has already left the PO with it and is out on his or her route or the retail window isn't open yet. Even if the retail window was open, I'm not sure that the retail sales associates would want to search through the parcel area or ask the carrier to assist in searching through the parcel area for a specific parcel. The bottom line is I don't know the rule regarding your question if there is a rule on this to give you an accurate answer. It's possible that it is just a personal decision on the part of an employee.

Hi! I've had some mail (along with a battery) sitting in my mailbox for a couple days, my key is missing. Can I leave a note for the mail carrier to deliver the mail to my house? Even though it's a neighborhood mailbox? I'm in Texas, if that helps.:)

Asked by Randy over 10 years ago

Randy, I dont know the answer to your question. I can see it turning out both ways. On one hand, the carrier may be familiar with you and/or the neighborhood and feel it is safe enough to leave the mail by your door without risk of it being stolen. On the other hand, they may have rules saying that this is forbidden and not be able to verify that you actually wrote the note. you could also call your local PO to find out if they can be of any help, but I'm guessing they will say that you have to get a replacement key and can't risk bringing the mail to your door. I'm being purposefully vague because I have a feeling that there would be different answers from different offices/personnel. I hope you can find your mailbox key.

We recently just moved to a corner house and one of my friends sent me a package with the street address where the house is in but our mailing address is the same house # but with the main ave next to it. Will it still come? Or will it get lost?

Asked by Sofia over 11 years ago

I don't know that I completely understand your question, but I'll give it a try. Most houses have an official mailing address which should often correspond with the physical location of the house. I can see if it is a corner house it may be a bit confusing. You may want to contact the PO to tell them that this may be happening, and, for further reference, please advise those who mail you items of your correct mailing address and clarify with your PO as to what address should be used. This is a very important subject matter to make sure items get to where they are intended to go, especially with a lot more automated processing of the mail and substitute letter carriers who may not be familiar with all of the names are on a certain route.

It is unusual for a mailman to refuse to deliver in 1 to 3 inches of snow if it was not cleared? He is walking across the same amount of snow in neighboring yards after leaving their porch. He grabbed and threw my snow shovel out in my yard today.

Asked by Mike over 11 years ago

I don't know what is common or not for a mailman to do in that amt. of snow. It seems strange that they would do it for some customers and not others. That said, if a carrier feels they can't safely approach a mailbox due to snow, then they may refuse. I think it all comes down to a judgment call by the letter carrier if there is any doubt for their safety in approaching a mailbox. As to the inconsistency of doing one house as opposed to another house which seem similarly cleared or not cleared, I don't know why that decision is made.