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 call the office you are going to, please ask them what to wear. If you won't be contacting them by voice before you report to that office, here is what I'd recommend. Pants (jeans) or shorts. A t-shirt, or single colored collared shirt with a couple of buttons. comfortable walking shoes. We generally wear black uniform-allowance approved shoes with an anti-slip endorsement. SR/USA is what the label says. A baseball cap if it is sunny where you deliver. Bring a jacket or sweatshirt as well in case it is cold. Sunglasses. A pen. The office should provide you with a mail satchel and dog spray. Good luck and I hope it goes well for you! Bring your USPS ID card if you have already been issues one.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20have%20my%20first%20shadow%20day%20this%20week%20and%20then%20start%20training%20next%20week%20as%20a%20carrier%20assistant.%20If%20you%20dont%20get%20a%20uniform%20allowance%20for%20the%20first%2090%20days%2C%20what%20am%20I%20supposed%20to%20wear%20while%20on%20the%20job%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/7718)
I don't wear gloves when handling the mail though some co-workers do. I did for a little while when my hands got very dry and cracked due to paper and working outside. During the Anthrax scare in 2001, some coworkers did wear masks/gloves for a short while. It definitely was a scary time but thankfully it didnt last long. Sadly, 2 postal workers did die of inhalation anthrax. I would say most of my coworkers aren't scared of this because it is rare.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Do%20you%20wear%20gloves%20when%20you%20deliver%20mail%20because%20of%20anthrax%20%2F%20ricin%20scares%3F%20%20Are%20postal%20workers%20really%20scared%20of%20that%20stuff%2C%20or%20do%20they%20just%20see%20it%20as%20a%20super-rare%20risk%20%20like%20a%20plane%20crash%20or%20something%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/7701)
Possibly. I would think its a good idea to stay in college even if it means giving up this opportunity. There will probably be opportunities in the future for city carrier assistant positions.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=This%20is%20probably%20a%20first%20..%20But%20do%20you%20think%20a%20full-time%20college%20student%20can%20keep%20up%20with%20at%20least%20a%20part%20time%20job%20as%20a%20mail%20carrier%3F%20The%20salary%20is%20attractive%20to%20me%2C%20but%20I%20feel%20like%20leaving%20college%20for%20it%20would%20be%20an%20awful%20idea.%20Thank%20up%20for%20any%20help&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8797)
I am sorry to say that I don't know enough about this. If you had a medical note that you couldn't go to the curb, maybe that would help. The reason why it may not help is the PO might wonder how you get other things done. For example, a home health aide could get the mail for you. Curbside delivery is more efficient for the USPS Which may be why they are reluctant to honor your request.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20live%20in%20the%20city%20limits%20of%20a%20small%20town.%20Many%20years%20agoI%20put%20a%20curbside%20mailbox%20at%20the%20foot%20of%20my%20yard%20because%20I%20wanted%20to.%20I%20am%2060%20yrs%20old%20now%20with%20health%20problems%20and%20requested%20my%20mail%20to%20be%20delivered%20back%20to%20my%20box%20on%20the%20porch.Now%20they%20wont.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/6570)
Private Detective
Has anyone ever caught you surveilling them, and what happened?
Police Officer
Have you ever been shot or seriously injured on the job?
Navy Officer (Former)
Do you think there's a chance the US reinstates the draft?
Good question. If the deliver to a PO Box, they are almost always a Clerk who works inside the whole day. I don't know exactly how to tip them. If you know their name, maybe you can mail a letter to them c/o of the Post Office. Hopefully it would get to him/her.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20can%20I%20tip%20a%20PO%20Box%20mail%20man%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/7532)
It is very likely that the mail will be delivered and not returned to you. This happens often, so don't be worried.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20accidentally%20put%20a%20regular%20letter%20into%20an%20express%20mail%20container.%20will%20my%20mail%20get%20through%3F%20or%20will%2C%20it%2C%20ugh%2C%20be%20returned%20to%20me%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/7550)
That sounds like a good subject and I'll be gland to help. The best part of my job is the indpendenence I have most of the day while delivering my route. I can listen to a radio or iPod or just get lost in my thoughts. The route I deliver I am so familiar with so I can do it without much deep thought required. The most challenging part is when we get overwhelmed by mail volume and you feel like you can never get a handle on it. The reality is that this doesn't happen too often. The holidays create substantially more parcel business but that's about it. People don't mail as many holiday cards as in the past. It would also be a challenge if the USPS decides to cut delivery from 6 days/week to 5 days/week. This would make the 5 days that we deliver mail so much heavier. I hope this doesn't happen unless the overall mail volume continues to drop. I hope this helps!
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20am%20in%20first%20grade%20and%20have%20a%20project%20about%20mail%20carriers.%20What%20is%20the%20best%20part%20of%20your%20job%3F%20What%20is%20the%20most%20challenging%20part%20of%20the%20job%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8192)
-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
