Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

Hey Dave! Just wanted to share because I've seen your page. I'm currently in central ny about to undergo my first day of carrier academy. I will be a Cca in a small city in upstate New York. I was wondering if you know as a Cca i would get lots hrs?

Asked by Ny cca almost 11 years ago

Congratulations on getting hired as a CCA! I don't know how many hours you will get in your particular office as each office is unique. Usually, a CCA fills in for a regular carrier when they are out sick or on vacation to deliver their route. They are also given "pieces" or "splits" on routes when a regular carrier may not finish their route within 8 hours and they don't want to work overtime or when management doesn't authorize overtime for the regular city letter carrier. CCAs may also work on Sundays to deliver Amazon.com parcels. They don't do this in every office so I don't know if yours is included in that service. In the office I work at, the CCAs all get plenty of hours due to a bit of short staffing. I am not sure of the minimum hrs/shift or minimum hours/week that a CCA is guaranteed. If you go to www.nalc.org, or more specifically http://www.nalc.org/workplace-issues/city-delivery/cca-contractual-issues, they have details about being a CCA. It may be a bit technical, but it's a good reference. Good luck, be on time for work, and work safely. Try not to get involved with any office drama.

813 Votes

Do you know people who work at the post office yet have a dream of doing their own business? Do some people work at the post office and work on their dream at night until they get a breakthrough in the area of the dreams?

Asked by JTDN about 12 years ago

I am sure This happens a lot. While it is a very secure job to have, it's not what everyone wants as a career. Some of my co-workers have left for jobs with other govt agencies, to become police officers. I don't know of anyone who started a business once they got a breakthrough. But we are a huge company so it has likely happened. Not too many people resign after being on the job more than 5 years.

812 Votes

Hi I just got hired as a cca. I've been reading post on the Internet and have seeing that cca's are hired for 1yr then fired and rehired. Is this what I should expect or is this just hear say?

Asked by Kevin over 11 years ago

I don't know that to be the case where they hire and fire CCA after a year. I have never seen anybody hired for 1 yr then fired and rehired. As long as you are doing a respectable job, it's not likely you would be fired for an invalid reason.

812 Votes

My mail man left a package I ordered in one of those package lockers that need the key to open. The key the mail carrier left does not work AT ALL. I left a note asking to leave my package in another box and it was ingnored. How do I get my package?

Asked by Vanessa over 11 years ago

I am sorry that you are having this issue with the parcel locker key not working and your request being ignored re: using another parcel locker. I am not sure what the best solution is. Is the note you left very visible? If that doesn't work, maybe leave a post-it note on the parcel locker near the keyhole explaining the problem. Another option is to try to call the local post office and speak with a delivery supervisor or the national USPS Customer Support Center at:
1-800-ASK-USPS® (1-800-275-8777)

Thank you for your question and I hope you get your situation resolved shortly.

811 Votes

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I went away for 10 days and forgot to hold my mail. My mailman realized this and held it for me. Can I tiphim? How?

Asked by cmoine almost 11 years ago

It is very kind of you to want to tip your letter carrier for his service while you were away. We aren't supposed to accept tips, but I can't say I know of anybody ever being disciplined for it. I gladly accept them but it won't affect the quality of my service either way. I would recommend putting the tip in an envelope and on the outside write "Letter Carrier (insert name here if you know it)" and put it in the mailbox. Maybe tape it to the inside of the mailbox where it would be visible but not necessarily thought of as outgoing mail. If you aren't sure if he is working on a particular day I'm not sure how you could make sure they receive it unless you happen to be home when they are delivering the mail and you hand it directly to the carrier. I will say that you have one observant letter carrier. I would usually let the mail pile up in the mailbox hoping they come home soon to retrieve it.

811 Votes

What time does a city carrier usually have to report to the post office in the morning to start? I have a good chance at getting this position but am wondering in advance because I need to put my daughter in daycare and very few open that early.

Asked by Jess about 11 years ago

I can't speak for all POs, but from what I have experienced, most full-time assignments start between 7-8 AM and end 3:30-4:30PM. For a newly hired carriers, they might start later in the day as there may not be enough work for them to work a full day or the operations require that they work much later. I've seen a 10-11AM start time for the CCAs (city carrier assistants) when they aren't needed to cover a whole assignment . During peak vacation time (usually summer months), many offices are shorthanded due to carriers being on vacation, so CCAs possibly start their workday the same time as other regular carriers. There are some assignments (like a parcel post or collection route) which usually start a bit later in the AM. In our office that is a 10AM-6:30PM assignment. Thanks for writing and good luck.

811 Votes

I've been a CCA for almost three months now and since we're so close to Chritmas I've had several customers slip me tips during a postage due or even leave entire boxed presents addressed to me as gifts. How do you handle these situations?

Asked by Kruesser over 10 years ago

It is very kind of the customers to give you tips and or boxed presents for the holiday season. I believe we aren't supposed to accept any gift valued at more than $20 at any one time and it's supposed to be non-cash. I would venture to say that most employees don't follow this rule and it is rare that you'd get in trouble for accepting it. For those that give you gifts, I'd recommend replying with a thank you note or card that you can deliver with the mail the next time you are at their office or residence. I do realize you are a CCA and may be doing different assignments daily unless you have a hold down. Another recommendation is to not discuss any amounts or gifts you receive with your fellow co-workers. It's better to just be modest and quiet about it IMO. I hope this helped you. Please also remember that we are paid to do our job and nobody should expect a tip for doing their job at the USPS. It is unethical to expect any gratuity, but I, like most, will gladly accept it when offered.

810 Votes

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Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hey Dave! Just wanted to share because I've seen your page. I'm currently in central ny about to undergo my first day of carrier academy. I will be a Cca in a small city in upstate New York. I was wondering if you know as a Cca i would get lots hrs?

Do you know people who work at the post office yet have a dream of doing their own business? Do some people work at the post office and work on their dream at night until they get a breakthrough in the area of the dreams?

Hi I just got hired as a cca. I've been reading post on the Internet and have seeing that cca's are hired for 1yr then fired and rehired. Is this what I should expect or is this just hear say?

My mail man left a package I ordered in one of those package lockers that need the key to open. The key the mail carrier left does not work AT ALL. I left a note asking to leave my package in another box and it was ingnored. How do I get my package?

Also on Jobstr...

I went away for 10 days and forgot to hold my mail. My mailman realized this and held it for me. Can I tiphim? How?

What time does a city carrier usually have to report to the post office in the morning to start? I have a good chance at getting this position but am wondering in advance because I need to put my daughter in daycare and very few open that early.

I've been a CCA for almost three months now and since we're so close to Chritmas I've had several customers slip me tips during a postage due or even leave entire boxed presents addressed to me as gifts. How do you handle these situations?

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hey Dave! Just wanted to share because I've seen your page. I'm currently in central ny about to undergo my first day of carrier academy. I will be a Cca in a small city in upstate New York. I was wondering if you know as a Cca i would get lots hrs?

Do you know people who work at the post office yet have a dream of doing their own business? Do some people work at the post office and work on their dream at night until they get a breakthrough in the area of the dreams?

Hi I just got hired as a cca. I've been reading post on the Internet and have seeing that cca's are hired for 1yr then fired and rehired. Is this what I should expect or is this just hear say?

My mail man left a package I ordered in one of those package lockers that need the key to open. The key the mail carrier left does not work AT ALL. I left a note asking to leave my package in another box and it was ingnored. How do I get my package?

Also on Jobstr...

I went away for 10 days and forgot to hold my mail. My mailman realized this and held it for me. Can I tiphim? How?

What time does a city carrier usually have to report to the post office in the morning to start? I have a good chance at getting this position but am wondering in advance because I need to put my daughter in daycare and very few open that early.

I've been a CCA for almost three months now and since we're so close to Chritmas I've had several customers slip me tips during a postage due or even leave entire boxed presents addressed to me as gifts. How do you handle these situations?

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