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 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)
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)
That is unfortunate that you need to move because of nosey neighbors. Your mailman should not be giving any information whatsoever to the nosey neighbors as to where you moved to. I don't have access to the new address when someone moves. I mean there is probably a way for a clerk or supervisor to access the computerized forwarding system and find out someone's new address but in general the letter carrier isn't given this information. In our office the letter carrier just gets notification via a white sticker given to us by a clerk that a certain person or family has moved as of such date and to begin submitting their mail for forwarding. I can't say for sure there is anyway to prevent your very sweet and friendly mailman from trying to internally find out that information but they shouldn't be doing that and it is a violation of our rules to be giving out that confidential information.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=We%20are%20moving%20because%20our%20Nosey%20neighbors%20have%20driven%20us%20nuts.%20%20Once%20we%20leave%2C%20I%20can%20foresee%20the%20nosey%20neighbors%20asking%20the%20%28very%20sweet%20and%20friendly%29%20mailman%20where%20we%20moved.%20%20Is%20there%20anything%20to%20prevent%20him%20from%20giving%20them%20our%20new%20address%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16420)
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)
Casino Marketer
What would be some less obvious ways someone could save money on a Vegas trip?
Debate Coach
Are presidential debates actually "debates", by the traditional definition?
Fashion Forecaster
What country is the most fashion-forward?
I've never had this situation happen. It's rare for someone to get angry about their mail on the route where I deliver. If I can easily accommodate them and give them their check I would. Where I deliver the mail so few people receive checks on any regular basis. If the situation occurred, I would just remain calm and explain that I can't give them their mail now and when I get to their house or address, I'll gladly give them their mail. The key is to never escalate a situation. Thanks for your question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Some%20of%20your%20customers%20are%20used%20to%20getting%20their%20mail%20at%20the%20same%20time%20everyday.%20Today%20there%20was%20a%20lot%20more%20mail%20to%20sort%20and%20deliver%2C%20so%20you%20are%20later%20than%20usual%20in%20making%20deliveries.%20One%20customer%20is%20angry%20because%20he%20has%20been%20waiting%20for%20a%20cheque.%20How%20would%20you%20address%20this%20situation%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18364)
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)
From what I understand, we scan the flats and letters to verify how long it takes mailpieces to get from somewhere to the delivery point. I haven’t heard this for sure. I agree it seems pointless and annoying. I make sure to take the time to do it properly though I don’t trust most of my coworkers to do it. Regarding what to do when it asks i feel the address is on the route, i usually put “yes” if it’s vacant or hold but I have to say I’m probably not consistent with that i do. I’d hit “yes”, then “end scanning” and then “no more to scan” if I had zero mailpieces with me. I’m not sure how it is in Massapequa but the communication as to what we’re supposed to do in any situation is quite half-assed and different supv may give different answers. I have so little faith in the supervisors to give the right information that I often don’t even bother asking. We had a service talk today about how to scan parcels that are on “hold”. The directions were completely the opposite of what we were told in the past. Besides that, I doubt they will repeat the service talk for the carriers who were off today or on vacation. I’m just venting but I think you can relate to my comments. Thanks again for writing and hope you liked my tangent.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20is%20the%20premise%20to%20scan%20flats%20and%20letters%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20ridiculous%20in%20my%20opinion%2C%20and%20what%20if%20a%20house%20is%20vacant%20or%20on%20hold%2C%20my%20guess%20is%20on%20the%20scanner%20to%20hit%20%E2%80%9Cnot%20on%20the%20route%20%E2%80%9Cwhen%20it%20prompts%2C%20any%20thoughts&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/19553)
-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
