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.
Lara, today I had a similar situation today with one of the customers I deliver to. They showed me their USPS Infromed Delivery email and an item shown wasn't in their actual mail. It was a specific letter they were waiting for. I don't know what to do if the letter doesn't show up. Your question seems to also ask about not getting any delivery whatsoever on Saturday. That shouldn't happen. We deliver on Mon-Sat excluding national holidays. I know some offices are having a staff shortage, but that's not a great explanation. I have little faith In the quality of work done by some coworkers and supervisors. Many have an "I don't care" attitude. This is nothing new but seemingly more prevalent lately.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20know%20what%20mail%20is%20coming%20via%20informed%20delivery%20on%20USPS%20website.%20What%20happens%20when%20I%20don%27t%20receive%20it%3F%20It%20seems%20as%20though%20the%20mailman%20didn%27t%20even%20show%20up%20today%2C%20and%20it%27s%20Saturday.%20Mail%20should%20come%20on%20Saturday%21%20Do%20you%20have%20any%20explanation%20for%20this%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18767)
I don't know what at you mean by a commercial mailbox, but generally the mail should be delivered as it's addressed unless their is a valid change of address order filed with the USPS. I have never come across that request or situation but I probably wouldn't follow those instructions, though another letter carrier may. We generally don't like special requests like that because we aren't supposed to honor them and who knows if a replacement carrier would do that when the regular carrier is not working. I like to keep thing a simple and straightforward and that seems to work well.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20someone%20put%20a%20note%20on%20a%20commercial%20mail%20box%20instructing%20the%20mail%20carrier%20to%20put%20their%20mail%20in%20a%20different%20box&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16543)
My pleasure Dee! Again, good luck to you in training. Always keep in mind that whatever I tell you is anecdotal and what I've experienced. There are many inconsistencies within the USPS depending on where you work and the personalities you come across. It shouldn't be this way but I'm sure that happens in other organizations just as much. I enjoy so much of this job because I'm out on my own for about 6 hrs a day not dealing with too much internal politics, etc.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Thank%20you%20for%20everything%21%20Honestly%20you%27ve%20been%20helping%20me%20out%20a%20great%20deal.%20I%27ll%20be%20back&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17404)
It is true that we send all non-deliverable mail which was sent as Presorted Standard rate (and not requested to be returned to the sender) to be recycled or shredded as far as I know. I don't know if it's illegal or not to take extra coupons to give to customers who request them, but I wouldn't get involved in doing that. Nobody has ever really asked me either to do that for them. I have taken Dunkin' Donuts coupons out of the circulars which were extras or non-deliverable. I know this doesn't settle your dispute. I am more disgusted by co-workers who feel that these weekly circulars are sometimes not that important and may not deliver them or make sure that everyone gets one. My attitude is that a mailer is paying for them to be delivered and that's our job whether or not the customers want them. Some other coworkers probably take home coupons that otherwise would be recycled. Again, they probably shouldn't, but never heard any repercussions for doing so. Thanks for your question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hoping%20you%20can%20solve%20a%20debate%20for%20me%20%26%20wife.%20Her%20friend%27s%20hubby%20is%20a%20carrier%20%26%20brings%20home%20%22extra%20coupons%22%20for%20her%20%26%20my%20wife.%20Claims%20they%20are%20undeliverable%20%26%20will%20go%20to%20%22dead%20mail%22%20%26%20just%20going%20to%20be%20shredded%20%26%20Postmaster%20approves.%20I%20say%20it%27s%20illegal&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16521)
Track and Field Coach
Do you let your athletes play another sport in the off-season?
Emergency Room Manager
What's the best time to arrive at an ER to avoid waits?
Professional Reseller
What kind of mark-ups can you fetch on the clothing you resell from thrift stores?
Hello CP2015, I'm not sure what POCs are but I'll guess and say those are the amt of possible deliveries you have each day which sounds like a lot to me. It isn't easy to work outside in the summer when the sun is pounding down on you. While I prefer the heat vs the extreme cold, the summer can be taxing on your body. I'd recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your eyes, face, and neck. I also recommend drinking as much water as you can even before you get thirsty. It sweats off of you pretty quickly so the more you stay hydrated the better you should feel. In terms of actually burning, I suppose you could apply sunscreen liberally with an SPF of 40+. Stay safe and thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=er%2C%20i%20meant%20%22under%22.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17175)
This happens sometimes if a route is divided up for the day and perhaps the "dividing line" is near your house. This happens a lot when we are shorthanded, so other carriers may deliver their own route and then a part of another route. I know it may look inefficient and random, but that's what happens when people do "pieces" on other routes. It is sometimes inefficient and random due to poor management or short staffing. Some POs face this issue more than others. It is especially common in the summer months when many co-workers go on vacation but it certainly can be an issue year round.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Why%20would%20I%20have%203%20different%20mail%20carriers%20that%20deliver%20to%20my%20residence.%20Sometimes%20one%20will%20deliver%20to%20my%20neighbor%20and%20not%20me.%20Then%20diffrent%20carrier%20comes%20to%20me%20later%20that%20day.%20Its%20like%20they%20randomly%20deliver%20in%20my%20area.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17057)
I don't think that the letter carrier should be giving the mail to the woman who moved out just because he knows her personally. If the woman didn't put in a proper change of address request with the USPS, then it is appropriate for the mail to be returned to sender with an endorsement by the USPS saying "unable to forward" or "moved, left no address". I wouldn't get involved with anyone's mail based on my relationship of knowing them. Fortunately, it's rare that I'm ever asked to do anything that is questionable regarding the mail. As far as your question goes, I don't know that the mailman is allowed to do what he is doing, but it doesn't seem right.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=My%20friend%20had%20a%20roommate%20that%20moved%20out%2C%20her%20mail%20is%20still%20being%20sent%20to%20her%20house%20so%20my%20friend%20puts%20on%20the%20envelope%2C%20%28return%20to%20sender%29%20the%20mailman%20knows%20the%20girl%20that%20moved%20out%20and%20has%20been%20giving%20her%20the%20mail%20personally%2C%20can%20he%20do%20that%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17085)
-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
