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.
See below.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20my%20friend%20sent%20me%20a%20letter%20from%20Arkansas%2C%20with%20correct%20address%20and%20zip%20code%2C%20why%20has%20it%20not%20come%20in%20the%20mail%20after%202%20weeks%3F%20Could%20I%20call%20my%20local%20post%20office%20if%20they%20have%20received%20anything%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9440)
I don't think there is any penalty for the letter carrier to pay anything out of pocket. I've never heard of this happening with respect to a First Class Mail Parcel going missing. It is usually hard to prove that a mail carrier actually had possession of the parcel and then didn't deliver it. I know the scans are meant for tracking an item but it may not prove internally who had possession of the parcel. This is different from a registered or certified item which we sign for when we take possession of them. The item could go missing anywhere along in the mail stream. I suppose if one particular mail carrier had several complaints that parcels on their route were missing it would raise some eyebrows and there would need to be an investigation as to the rate of missing parcels. I've never heard of it happening where I work, but I'm sure there are some letter carriers who aren't very honest. I still don't know how one could get away with taking multiple parcels without being caught. Then again, I don't have that kind of mindset so I'm a bit naive when it comes to this subject.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hello%2C%20Can%20you%20tell%20me%20what%20happens%20when%20a%20first%20class%20mail%20parcel%20goes%20missing%20and%20it%20was%20never%20scanned%20by%20the%20mail%20carrier%20does%20the%20mail%20carrier%20have%20to%20pay%20out%20of%20their%20own%20pocket%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13351)
I don't know what the regulations are for attaching a mailbox to your house. Does your letter carrier walk to your door to deliver the mail? If that is the case, the mailbox must be accessible in a safe area for the carrier to reach the mailbox. If you live in an area where the delivery is made to a curbside mailbox there are regulations for how tall the mailbox must be from the ground plus there must be clearance on either side of the box so that the postal vehicle can get in and out of the area without having to put the vehicle in reverse too much.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20are%20the%20nationwide%20%20regulations%20for%20resIdential%20mailboxes%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9835)
You bring up a valid concern in my opinion. I'm sorry that you have had no luck calling your local PO. my suggestion would be to put a small note near the mail slot saying "please push all mail completely through garage door slot. Thank you." I hope that helps. You can also mention it to your letter carrier if you ever see them in person.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20have%20a%20garage%20door%20mail%20drop%20but%20the%20postal%20carrier%20always%20leaves%20mail%20hanging%20out%20of%20it.%20There%20are%20mail%20thieves%20in%20the%20area.%20I%20tried%20calling%20the%20PO%20to%20complain%20but%20they%20won%27t%20answer.%20What%20kind%20of%20note%20can%20I%20leave%20for%20the%20carrier%20that%20will%20help%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9175)
Pharmacist
Why is an advanced degree required to dole out pills at a pharmacy?
Server / Bartender
How much more do female servers get tipped?
Ice Sculptor
What was the raciest sculpture you ever made?
Congratulations on being hired as a CCA. First I will answer your questions and then I may give you some advice.
1) I don't know how long it will take to become a career employee in Queens. I've heard that the mobility and promotions are quicker in urban environments due to turnover and the number of positions, but I have no way of verifying that. The suburban office where I work has 6 CCAs and I think they have all been here for less than 1 year.
2) The uniform allowance isn't too much, but it should cover your basics. After a couple of years, I have had more than enough to wear and use the uniform allowance mostly on footwear (expensive..$100/pair) and warm weather clothing.
3) Technically, you should always be wearing all USPS regulation clothing/uniform once you have passed probation and are given a uniform allowance. Whether or not you actually have to do this will likely depend on your supervisor or postmaster. They seem fairly lax in my office in enforcing the uniform regulations which I think is wrong. I wear regulation clothing head to toe including footwear. The proper footwear is very important because it has to be approved to be slip-resistant. This job may require a lot of walking and you don't want a slip, trip or fall to injure yourself. Having the proper footwear and paying attention to where you are walking is very important.
My advice to you would be as professional as possible in performing your assigned job. Don't get involved in any office politics. Join the NALC. Bring any questions to your shop steward that you may have re: rights as a CCA. Work safely. As a CCA, you may be assigned to different stations on different days, have very few days off, and have an ever-changing work schedule. It's possible you will have a huge amt of hours per week or not many. If a manager/supervisor gives you vague or unreasonable instructions, it's important to speak up to get clarification and/or tell them you won't be able to finish an assignment in the allotted time. Do not let yourself be bullied by management. They may try to intimidate you, but as long as you show up for work on time, work safely and professionally, things should work out fine. If you like the work and think that making a "career" employee would be good, don't give up on your CCA position no matter how stressful it could be at times. Being a career employee allows you to work a much more consistent schedule and receive paid sick leave, subsidized health insurance, and many other benefits.
Good luck!
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=hey%20there%20i%20will%20be%20starting%20the%20cca%20postion%20soon.%20any%20advice%3F%0A-%20how%20long%20can%20it%20take%20to%20become%20%22career%22%20in%20queens%3F%0A-%20the%20allowance%20dose%20not%20cover%20much%20.%0A-must%20i%20wear%20strictly%20uniform%20or%20may%20i%20buy%20simular%20items&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13141)
We attempt to deliver the actual parcel or certified or accountable mail (registered, insured) one time and leave a PS Form 3849 if nobody is available to sign for it. Within the next 15 days, we then leave 2 more PS Form 3849s (notice of item attempted to be delivered) before return the item to the shipper. If an addressee signs the PS Form 3849 to authorize delivery and leaves it in the mailbox we will generally deliver the item the next day even if nobody is around to physically accept.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=how%20many%20delivery%20attempts%20USPS%20do%20before%20return%20the%20package%20to%20the%20shipper%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10389)
1-3 days from when it was picked up from the blue mailbox would be the normal length of time For delivery.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20droped%20my%20mail%20on%20the%20blue%20box%20%2C%20on%20saturday.%20When%20will%20it%20get%20delivered%3F%20I%20know%20that%20they%20don%27t%20work%20sundays.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9107)
-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
