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

i think my mail carrier i is taking my mail

Asked by joseph bennett almost 12 years ago

I am not sure how you can prove the mail carrier is taking your mail unless some specific items aren't appearing. If they are disappearing you may call the PO and mention it to a delivery supervisor or postmaster though I'm not sure what can be done. It is quite a serious offense to actually be taking somebody's mail so I hope this isn't actually happening.

Somebody who lives with me recently got hired by the post office. I've noticed bundles of mail. Not your catalog type stuff but more like cc bills, electric bills, bank statements etc. I'm torn because i want them to move out, if fired i'm stuck.

Asked by confilicted over 11 years ago

I am not sure why you have a conflict with regards to the type of mail that a roommate/co-occupant receives and whether or not they work at the PO has to do with them living with you. It appears to me that this person has decided to use your address to receive mail from their creditors, financial institutions, utilities, etc. If they move out or you force them out, this person could have their mail forwarded to a new address. If they don't live with you anymore but there is still mail for them coming to your address, you can can return it to the letter carrier saying that they don't live with you anymore. Please re-write and re-submit your question a bit more clearly so I can understand the conflict you are having with the type of mail being received and this person living with you. Thank you.

OMG! After asking you about my on-line application, I got an email inviting me to take the a behavioral assessment test. After I took it, I got an appointment to take the 473E. Have you got tips on how to approach the MEMORY portion?

Asked by FF about 12 years ago

Congratulations on getting to the next steps in the application process. Is the memory portion where they give you 5 addresses or names in each of 5 boxes and you have to answer which address or range of addresses goes in a particular box? That is how it was when I took the exam many years ago. i honestly can't remember how I was able to do that. There is some trick or good method to remembering the next box assignments but I don't know what it is. Maybe if you do a web search for tips on how to do the memory section of the 473E. I didn't seem to have any results with actual tips, but there are study guides that are sold to help you. I actually see that the memory section is different from the exam I took years ago. im sorry that I can't be more specific in assisting you.

I am currently a CCA. Is it uncommon to be completely overwhelmed on Monday and Tuesdays? Suggestions? Also foot pain suggestions?

Asked by Ron about 12 years ago

Regarding Monday and Tuesday, it is normal to feel overwhelmed, especially Monday where I work. My suggestion is to just work carefully and don't goof off or take extra breaks. You can't be disciplined for doing your job correctly even if it takes too long. As for foot pain, I wear cushioned socks which can be purchased with the uniform allowance and comfortable shoes. No magic formula. 

Why does mail take so long to receive.it from camps. Is it because u guyse.have to drive up in the hilla and get outgoing mail and deliver mail?

Asked by shayla about 12 years ago

I am not sure why probation camp mail takes longer to receive or to be delivered. My main thought would be that incoming mail may be checked for prohibited items sent to the probation camp. I don't have any personal involvement with delivery to such institutions. 

I want to tip my mailman in cash at Christmas. I realize this is against USPS regs. What will happen if I do so?

Asked by Kate almost 11 years ago

Kate, I first want to say thanks for using this Q and A board on jobstr. It is fun interacting and trying to help others with postal-related questions. I am no expert and the views are my own. I'd probably get some type of communication from management (and not in a good way) if they found out I was doing this. So far, so good. Anyhow, to answer your question after my long-winded introduction, yes, most of us will certainly accept tips during the holidays even though it is against USPS regulations. Please don't fell any pressure to do so as I fell that is completely unethical and plenty of people that I deliver mail to don't tip me at all which is fine. We are all paid a fair salary with benefits and a have a retirement plan. If you do tip your mailman at Christmas in cash, the only thing that I hope happens is that you get a thank you acknowledgement. I think that is very thoughtful of you. Merry Christmas to you.

im in the process of being a mail carrier and when I applied I was assigned a post office location far from my home and ii don't have a car.if im hired am I able to get transferred closer to where I live?

Asked by sam about 12 years ago

If you are hired as a letter carrier, it's likely you will be a City Carrier Associate (CCA). You'd be assigned to a specific post office which is where you'd be expected to work. You may ask to be hired at an office closer to home, but usually transfers take place after you have passed a probationary period (90 days I think) and worked in a location for at least 1 year.