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.
Jordan, first of all, thank you for writing in to this Q and A board. I don't know the rules as far as sending back mail because you haven't emptied your box for a week or two and your box is not full. If I were the letter carrier, I would just continue to deliver mail until the box is full and then probably return any future mail endorsed "box full" to the senders (or discard the mail if it is unendorsed Standard Class mail.) I don't recall ever coming across this situation in my postal career, but if it came about I'd probably ask my supervisor for direction. It is not in my nature to leave any notes (esp. threatening ones) for the most part.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20I%20don%27t%20empty%20my%20mailbox%20for%20a%20week%20or%20two%20but%20it%20is%20not%20full%2C%20is%20my%20postal%20carrier%20allowed%20to%20post%20notes%20on%20my%20door%20demanding%20I%20empty%20it%20and%20threatening%20to%20send%20it%20back%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12731)
If I can find a safe place nearby like near a garage door or by the front door of the house I would rubber band the mail and put it there. If it is mail addressed to an apt building and I can't gain access I would likely bring it back to the Post Office, notify a supervisor, and likely attempt delivery the next day. Fortunately, this doesn't happen very often on the route where I deliver the mail. It is inconvenient to have to bring the mail back to the PO and try again the next day.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Where%20do%20you%20put%20someones%20mail%20if%20you%20cant%20put%20it%20in%20their%20mailbox%3F%20%28Or%20gain%20access%20to%20an%20apartment%20building%29&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13788)
I know I have sort of answered this question already, but I will again. I would say that a letter carrier shouldn't enter a yard where a barking dog is visible and not on a leash and could physically come in contact with the letter carrier. If the owner isn't present to accept the mail, the carrier is best advised to bring the mail back to the post office and notify the supervisor why the mail couldn't be delivered. The USPS wants to reduce the number of dog bites because it is dangerous to the letter carrier and costly to the USPS because of any time off required and any medical treatment needed. Fortunately where I work I don't hear of too many dog/carrier incidents, but I do realize other areas may not be as safe.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20DOG%20is%20barking%20in%20fenced%20in%20front%20yard%2C%20should%20the%20mail%20carrier%20still%20enter%20when%20sign%20on%20gate%20warns%20of%20the%20dog%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12518)
I don't know anything about the orientation process and how long it takes to get an orientation email. I do hope you get something soon. Good luck to you!
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20long%20does%20it%20take%20to%20receive%20an%20orientation%20email%3F%20I%27ve%20completed%20all%20steps%20and%20was%20told%20that%20it%20take%207-14%20days.%20I%20am%20now%20on%2014%20days%20and%20I%20am%20still%20waiting%20on%20email%20for%20orientation.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11308)
Certified Nurse Aide
What's it like going into a room in the morning to find someone dead?
Physical Therapist
What's the most dramatic "before-and-after" improvement you've ever seen with a patient?
Private Detective
What do you think is the most corrupt industry, city, and State in the country?
Bre, there is an excellent chance you will receive the package before the new year. Our operations are pretty much 24/7 when it comes to moving the mail through our delivery network. This time of year with heavy mail volume I think that most packages will arrive within 1-5 days from where they are shipped. Our service is quite reliable in my opinion. Happy New Year!
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Do%20u%20guys%20run%20next%20week%20at%20all%20cause%20I%20have%20a%20package%20being%20sent%20out%20tomorrow%20and%20I%20was%20wondering%20if%20I%27m%20going%20to%20get%20it%20before%20the%20new%20year&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14162)
It does seem like a mis-scan from what you've described, especially given the time stamp of the "available for pickup" scan and the fact that it doesn't even make sense. You could report the lost piece to your local post office. I don't know the procedure as to what happens from there especially if the item was not insured. Another option is to call 1-800-275-8777 (USPS). Thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20mailed%20a%20package%20from%20Texas%20to%20Australia%2C%20but%20it%20has%20disappeared%20along%20the%20way.%20%20The%20only%20tracking%20info%20says%22available%20for%20pickup%22%2C%20but%20that%20appeared%20w%2Fin%20hrs%20of%20being%20mailed%20and%20workers%20deemed%20it%20a%20mis-scan.%20Where%20do%20I%20report%20the%20lost%20piece%3FThanks&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11194)
Funny, I had never noticed that to be the case! Just kidding. There is a very important reason the steering wheel is on the right hand side (as one is facing forward). I drive one of these vehicles. They are commonly known as LLV (long life vehicles), Jeeps, or other names. The reason for this configuration is because many mail routes have mailboxes at the street end of a driveway where a mail vehicle can drive right up to it and the letter carrier can put the mail in the box without having to leave his seat. They can just stick their right arm out of the window. On the left side of the letter carrier (where a regular vehicle would have the steering wheel) is a large metal tray where the letter carrier organizes the mail for delivery. This method of delivery is found more commonly in suburban or rural environments. I drive an LLV, and even though the route I deliver has no mailboxes at the end of a driveway (they are mostly by a front door or garage), it is safer for me to exit the vehicle on the right side instead of what is possibly moving traffic. It only took a short time to get used to driving this configuration and it seems none of my co-workers have much of a problem either. You just have to be careful of blind spots and when backing up, not unlike any conventional vehicle. You asked a great question and I may have given you more than you asked for but I hoped it helped Jeff.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Why%20is%20the%20steering%20wheel%20for%20the%20mail%20truck%20on%20the%20other%20side%20aka%20the%20passenger%20side%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12575)
-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
