Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

Is your job really thankless? Someone told me one time that being a mail carrier is a thankless job but I am going to assume that that may have just been the area he worked. I am pretty friendly to my mail carrier.

Asked by Danny over 6 years ago

Thanks for your question and for being friendly to your letter carrier. Your instinct was correct. It probably does depend on the area where you work plus your personality. I find the job very thankful. I’m performing a fairly essential task (at least among those who still use USPS). Customers are generally cordial and often friendly when I see them. I work in a nice suburban community in NY which may also have something to do with being appreciated. Some of my co-workers have negative personalities so I’m sure they feel the job is thankless. We are paid a pretty fair wage in my opinion. I am thankful for that. I also put enjoy the job so maybe when you put forward a positive attitude, you get that in return.

250 Votes

Do you think the post offices will close?

Asked by asdf over 5 years ago

This question is being asked during the 2020 Covid19 pandemic. I think you are asking if we will close due to this and not just close in general. Also, this question was asked 2x so I deleted one of them. As I write this, the USPS is operating as best as we can under the circumstances we are faced with. We are considered and essential service so no state order can close us. Another reason that a state order can’t close us is that we are tied to the federal government and I believe only the Postmaster General (and possibly the President) could close the USPS.

In a practical sense, our mail workload will likely decrease during a time when many businesses across the country are temporarily shuttered. We have seen an increase in online package deliveries but hasn’t been a huge amt for my office to handle. Amazon is mostly delivered by a private contract courier in the area I work.

I know I haven’t answered your question yet, but here is my thought. We would probably be closed if a large number of our workforce were infected by Covid19. It’s possible a local facility could suffer staffing shortages and be unable to operate as normal. I don’t foresee a nationwide USPS shutdown, but with the situation changing daily, I feel that anything is possible. Stay safe and help Flatten the curve by doing your part.

250 Votes

Are you still a Mailman? By the way thanks for asking my previous question. :)

Asked by angiezhang7248 Gmail Girl over 5 years ago

Yes, I am. it’s my pleasure to be able to answer questions that relate to my profession. am very fortunate to still be employed during the Covid19 Pandemic. Our workload has slowed down significantly since earlier in March, 2020. On most days there isn’t enough work to fill up a full 8-hour shift so we sometimes have to pivot. That means we complete our own assigned route plus :30 on another delivery route all within an 8-hour workday. The important part is staying safe and not being infected with Covid19. It is a scary disease with so many people dying.

249 Votes

Do your trucks have radios, air ride seats, heating, air conditioning, fans, cup holders, etc?

Asked by Ellis almost 6 years ago

I can only speak for the vehicle I drive which is called an LLV (Long Life Vehicle) built around 1992. When we get the LLV fleet replacement vehicles they will have much more modernized amenities. Our LLV has no radio, air ride seat, AC, cup holders. Of the items you asked about, we only have heating and fans. Some carriers drive a Dodge ProMaster for their routes. I believe they have all of the items you listed above except for the air ride seats. They also have rear view cameras which are helpful when backing up the vehicle.

248 Votes

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246 Votes

What do you think of this?
https://youtu.be/dplvOCL2N54

Asked by Dan almost 6 years ago

Dan, I watched the video and it was pretty well done.i don’t know if it’s your video or you are just referencing it. It keeps referring to the postal inspecting service but it is the postal inspection service. They are somewhat thinly staffed so I don’t know how much they will investigate this particular case but I know what you talk about and it is definitely an issue. The same thing sometimes happens in my office where if some Amazon parcels happen to not get delivered there is a scan that is put on such as “no access” or business closed” that will “stop the clock”. It definitely is a false event scan if we just happened to forget the package at our office or forget to deliver it and it would be too far to go back and deliver it. I have no idea what the financial agreement is between the United States Postal Service and Amazon but we try to make sure each package that we get every day from Amazon is delivered that same day. The quality and quantity of the employees at each office varies greatly. I take a lot of pride in my work so I try to make sure each package is delivered each day for my postal route. There is definitely a falsification of scans where it says delivery has been “attempted” and it really hasn’t. I don’t know the solution to it except more public outcry and exposure. I will not be a whistleblower, however, because I would be concerned any retaliation for this. I don’t believe I’ve ever falsified and Amazon delivery scan.

246 Votes

What do the strobe lights on the top of some of the trucks mean

Asked by Fjfjfjjdkd over 5 years ago

I think it’s just a general caution strobe that means this truck may make many starts and stops and it may be slow moving. I think it’s similar to hazard flashers.

246 Votes