Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

I'm a CCA in Ohio that survived the winter (YAY!) and this will be my first summer working for the USPS. Do you have any tips for surviving the heat?

Asked by Bradan almost 11 years ago

Bradan, Congratulations on surviving the winter! That can't have been fun at all. I'm just glad it's over also. As much as the heat isn't fun, I prefer it over the cold. I know there are others who feel quite differently about that. As far as tips go, my main tips are: 1) Drink plenty of water or some other liquids. I've heard different schools of thought whether or not Gatorade is good. My joke is that on the internet you can find anybody to support your opinion. I would guess that it works but there is a very high sugar content. The key is to stay hydrated.

2) Wear a hat to block the sun off your head and face. I wear a cowboy-type hat which works well. I fold the edges up by the ear so it doesn't look so funny but there is a tradeoff in that I'm exposing more of my face to the sun. I'm not sure what the official name of the hat is. You could also wear a white mesh pith helmet. Baseball caps will help as well but not cover too much of your face or neck for sun exposure. I also wear sunglasses most of the time.

3) Wear as light clothes as possible. I usually wear shorts in the warm weather and a short-sleeve uniform shirt with a t-shirt underneath.

Those are the basic tips that I can think of. Make sure to ask or take a cue from your fellow carriers, as I'm far from being an expert on this. On the very hot and humid days I consume water without even thinking about it, usually bringing about 2 liters with me plus some orange juice to drink with lunch.

Good luck to you. During July and August there is so much extra work to do because of our fellow workers going on vacation. We never seem to have enough help. I'm sure that story is repeated in many Post Offices nationwide.

608 Votes

I am expecting a check from Prudential that was mailed out on the 29th. They said 3-5 business days but its the 6th day and its not here. My apartment number wasn't on the mail but whats more likely, the snow storms delaying mail or was it returned?

Asked by Anthony about 11 years ago

It is possible that the mail from Prudential is delayed due to the storm or because there is no apt. # on the address. I am not sure which would be more likely. I don't know how strict your post office or letter carrier is on delivering to multi-unit buildings with no apt # on the mail. I would think that if they know what unit the letter should go to it would be a good idea to just deliver it there. In general it is important to put your apt # on your address, but I think you know that. I'd recommend giving it a few more days before worrying that the check is really lost. Thanks for the question.

607 Votes

I accidentally put the recipients address first then my address will the recipient still get the letter or will I have to do another envelope

Asked by Taylor almost 11 years ago

The USPS uses a lot of automation to sort the mail and I think it's looking for the address in the middle of the envelope as to where to send the item. In your example, I would recommended using a new envelope. Write your address (which will be considered the return address) in the upper left hand corner of the envelope. Put the recipients address in the center of the envelope and the sufficient postage in the upper right hand corner.

607 Votes

If schools close will you/a mailmen or women still come to deliver us our newspapers or mail?

Asked by Shayreisch@yahoo.com over 11 years ago

Yes, if a school is open or not has no direct bearing on whether or not the US Mail gets delivered. That being said, if a school is closed due to extreme weather, it is possible that we can't deliver the mail either. Generally it would take a pretty heavy snowfall and unplowed roads to stop us from delivering the mail. In my career as a letter carrier, we have only suspended delivery a few times due to poor weather. Our delivery vehicles are very poor on icy and snowy roads which is quite unsafe and makes me a bit nervous to drive in those poor conditions.

607 Votes

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How to spy?

Asked by whatsapp over 11 years ago

I am not sure if you are joking in this question. I am a city letter carrier and don't spy on anybody. It is true that we may know a lot about the people we deliver mail to, but that is confidential in nature and wouldn't share that with anybody. You would never want your personal information shared with others about what you receive in the mail, would you? We must remain professional so we have the trust of the people we serve.

606 Votes

When you find lost car keys, where do you put them or what do you you do with them?

Asked by elizabeth over 10 years ago

I've never found car keys while delivering mail as far as I can remember. I don't know what I would do if I found them. I know if any item of value is found in a blue collection box, it is usually turned in to a supervisor.

606 Votes

Hi, my mailman has a bad habit of putting the wrong mail in the wrong box. 2day a package was delivered to our apt in locked box thing & he obviously put the key to it in the wrong 1. How should I word a letter to my neighbors asking for my package?

Asked by Joanna almost 11 years ago

I don't know how you know for sure the package was delivered to the parcel locker section and the key put into the neighbor's box. If you are sure of this (based on the fact that your mailman has made mistakes in the past) then I would put a notice on your neighbor's door. You don't have access to their mailbox so you can't put it in there. The notice can say: "I believe the letter carrier errantly delivered a package to you (or put the parcel locker key in your mailbox) that should have been for me. If you have received this package, please deliver it to me or leave it by my door. "

You may also want to include your phone number on the notice. Unless your neighbors or morally challenged they should give you the package without incident. I hope this helps you Joanna and you receive your package.

606 Votes

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Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm a CCA in Ohio that survived the winter (YAY!) and this will be my first summer working for the USPS. Do you have any tips for surviving the heat?

I am expecting a check from Prudential that was mailed out on the 29th. They said 3-5 business days but its the 6th day and its not here. My apartment number wasn't on the mail but whats more likely, the snow storms delaying mail or was it returned?

I accidentally put the recipients address first then my address will the recipient still get the letter or will I have to do another envelope

If schools close will you/a mailmen or women still come to deliver us our newspapers or mail?

Also on Jobstr...

How to spy?

When you find lost car keys, where do you put them or what do you you do with them?

Hi, my mailman has a bad habit of putting the wrong mail in the wrong box. 2day a package was delivered to our apt in locked box thing & he obviously put the key to it in the wrong 1. How should I word a letter to my neighbors asking for my package?

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm a CCA in Ohio that survived the winter (YAY!) and this will be my first summer working for the USPS. Do you have any tips for surviving the heat?

I am expecting a check from Prudential that was mailed out on the 29th. They said 3-5 business days but its the 6th day and its not here. My apartment number wasn't on the mail but whats more likely, the snow storms delaying mail or was it returned?

I accidentally put the recipients address first then my address will the recipient still get the letter or will I have to do another envelope

If schools close will you/a mailmen or women still come to deliver us our newspapers or mail?

Also on Jobstr...

How to spy?

When you find lost car keys, where do you put them or what do you you do with them?

Hi, my mailman has a bad habit of putting the wrong mail in the wrong box. 2day a package was delivered to our apt in locked box thing & he obviously put the key to it in the wrong 1. How should I word a letter to my neighbors asking for my package?

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