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.
I am not sure anything can be done about it. I don't know why the neighbors would sign for the item without knowing who it was for, unless they thought they were doing the intended recipient (you, in this case) a favor. I also don't why your neighbors would open a package that clearly didn't belong to them. You could call or email the sender them that you received the package (which I think you eventually did unless your letter carrier was the one telling you the story) and that the item is damaged. I don't know if the problem can be remediated or not. If the item was sent with insurance, maybe a claim can be filed. Apartment number is sometimes as vital as the street address itself.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20do%20I%20do%20if%20mail%20that%20has%20a%20signature%20confirmation%20on%20it%20has%20the%20right%20street%20address%20but%20the%20wrong%20apartment%20number%20on%20it%20is%20delivered%20and%20signed%20for%20by%20my%20neighbors%20who%20told%20the%20mailman%20that%20it%20didnt%20belong%20to%20them%2C%20opened%20and%20damaged%20my%20packag&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16614)
Jillian, we are assigned to work at a Post Office in a particular city when we are hired. That city may have just one PO or may have several stations which we can work from. To answer your question, we choose the routes that we want to take based on seniority, which I find to be the fairest way of doing most things. It eliminates any favoritism that could occur and everything is out in the open with regards to seniority. Some carriers choose routes that have more business deliveries while others may prefer to deliver to residences or a combination. Some routes require more walking than others. Some routes are entirely driving and mail is delivered from the postal vehicle directly into a curbside mailbox. In a major urban areas some buildings could be so large that a carriers route is just one building. I have stayed with the first route that I was every able to bid on successfully. My seniority (18 years) would allow me to move onto what are considered more desirable routes when vacancies occur. I'm comfortable in what I do and I know it well and I think it's a fair days work. Some carriers are a lot more picky than others. As you can see it really depends on personalities and what one perceives as desirable. I hope this helps answer your question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20do%20mail%20carriers%20figure%20out%20which%20route%20to%20take%20in%20the%20city%20there%20in&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18355)
Re: your orientation, it's good to know its for 5 days. I don't know whether or not that included the driving course. I can't tell you how much things have changed in 17 years. There is a lot more automation of mail and less manual sorting than in the past. Working in Brooklyn I don't know which vehicles are driven. I imagine there are mostly walking routes with a satchel or pushcart, but it will still be necessary to be trained on driving postal vehicles. It usually takes one day or part of one day for driver training and evaluation. I find a lot of negativity among some coworkers and try to steer clear of them as I am a generally positive attitude person. Also, please don't believe all that you hear. People like to spread garbage rumors which could be true but you never know.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Cool%20enough%2C%20we%20are%20both%20from%20Long%20Island.%20So%20your%20answering%20from%20your%20experience%20is%20probably%20good%20for%20me.%20This%20orientation%20for%20me%20will%20be%20in%20Brooklyn%20%26%20for%205%20days.%20Two%20more%20questions%20currently%20on%20my%20mind..%201.%20When%20does%20one%20take%20the%20driving%20course%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17371)
Rose, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by this question. If you would like to give a gift to a particular letter carrier, I'm sure it'd be appreciated. During this time of year (December holiday season), many people who I deliver mail to will give me a cash gratuity or gift of sweets or wine for example. It is never expected by me to receive a gratuity or gift but I follow up with a thank you card to the customer. If you're not sure when your particular letter carrier is working you may just have to wait until you see them to present them with the gift or leave it in your mailbox and hope they will get it. Please ask a follow up question of me if I haven't explained my answer clearly.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=gift%20for%20particular%20mailman%20instead%20of%20temp&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17874)
Border Patrol Agent
How easy is it to forge a US passport?
CPR Trainer
Are men better at CPR than women because they're generally stronger?
Radio program/music director
Just how good of a radio host do you think Howard Stern is?
I do understand what you mean. Your question is "If a carrier takes the 'shortcut' to your mailbox vs taking the stairs at the far end based on his direction of travel are you liable for any injury. I don't know the answer to this for sure but I'd hope not. We are covered by workers' compensation insurance through our employer (the USPS) and I don't know that the USPS or the letter carrier (individually) could file a successful liability claim against you as the homeowner. I can see if you were very negligent as a homeowner and maybe caused some type of tripping hazard to be left unattended perhaps there could be some liability, but I have really no insight on this.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20thought%20of%201%20more%20%3F%2C%20sorry.%20If%20%20a%20carrier%20jumps%20onto%20my%20porch%20where%20there%20are%20no%20stairs%20and%20gets%20injured%20doing%20that%2C%20am%20I%20liable%3F%20To%20get%20to%20the%20stairs%2C%20one%20must%20cross%20my%20small%20yard%20%26%20enter%20at%20far%20end%2C%20based%20on%20the%20direction%20he%20travels%20on%20his%20route.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18948)
You're not supposed to wear your own shoes while you're a letter carrier. As part of your yearly uniform allowance you may order USPS-approved SR/USA shoes. They are almost always black in color and are slip-resistant. I'm not sure how strictly it is enforced but I always wear the approved shoes. If you were to fall while delivering mail one of the first things that will be looked at is whether or not you were wearing the proper footwear. I don't take very good care of my footwear and I deliver mail on a walking route so my shoes tend to wear out quickly. I pay apprx $110/pair for the USPS-approved work shoes. On a yearly basis we are allotted apprx $450 for our uniform purchases.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20you%20wear%20your%20own%20shoes%20during%20work&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18578)
I don't know the rule about this Debbie. I would guess that for the safety of the letter carrier it is recommended not to enter an open garage or backyard. I almost always will leave any packages at the front door. If the garage is open and the package can be left there I may consider doing that as well. We have never been told not to deliver a package through and open garage.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20a%20mail%20carrier%20enter%20an%20open%20garage%20to%20deliver%20a%20package&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18865)
-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
