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. It sometimes depends how quickly the office that you give it to dispatches it to be returned. I would think it should be promptly, but I can't say for sure. Sorry I can't be more specific.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20long%20does%20an%20RTS%20for%20a%20package%20take%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8720)
If you are hired as a letter carrier, it's likely you will be a City Carrier Associate (CCA). You'd be assigned to a specific post office which is where you'd be expected to work. You may ask to be hired at an office closer to home, but usually transfers take place after you have passed a probationary period (90 days I think) and worked in a location for at least 1 year.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=im%20in%20the%20process%20of%20being%20a%20mail%20carrier%20and%20when%20I%20applied%20I%20was%20assigned%20a%20post%20office%20location%20far%20from%20my%20home%20and%20ii%20don%27t%20have%20a%20car.if%20im%20hired%20am%20I%20able%20to%20get%20transferred%20closer%20to%20where%20I%20live%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9289)
Kate, I first want to say thanks for using this Q and A board on jobstr. It is fun interacting and trying to help others with postal-related questions. I am no expert and the views are my own. I'd probably get some type of communication from management (and not in a good way) if they found out I was doing this. So far, so good. Anyhow, to answer your question after my long-winded introduction, yes, most of us will certainly accept tips during the holidays even though it is against USPS regulations. Please don't fell any pressure to do so as I fell that is completely unethical and plenty of people that I deliver mail to don't tip me at all which is fine. We are all paid a fair salary with benefits and a have a retirement plan. If you do tip your mailman at Christmas in cash, the only thing that I hope happens is that you get a thank you acknowledgement. I think that is very thoughtful of you. Merry Christmas to you.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20want%20to%20tip%20my%20mailman%20in%20cash%20at%20Christmas.%20I%20realize%20this%20is%20against%20USPS%20regs.%20What%20will%20happen%20if%20I%20do%20so%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13880)
Regarding Monday and Tuesday, it is normal to feel overwhelmed, especially Monday where I work. My suggestion is to just work carefully and don't goof off or take extra breaks. You can't be disciplined for doing your job correctly even if it takes too long. As for foot pain, I wear cushioned socks which can be purchased with the uniform allowance and comfortable shoes. No magic formula.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20am%20currently%20a%20CCA.%20Is%20it%20uncommon%20to%20be%20completely%20overwhelmed%20on%20Monday%20and%20Tuesdays%3F%20Suggestions%3F%20Also%20%20foot%20pain%20suggestions%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9064)
Aircraft Mechanic
Did you ever catch something critical right before a plane was about to take off?
Magician
How do you feel about magicians on TV who reveal how tricks are done?
Antiques Dealer
Does a piece's value increase significantly if it has a cool "back-story" to go along with it?
Dustin, Fortunately my body doesn't hurt due to the strain on the body and the repetitive motions on the job. There are quite a few co-workers who have hip, back, and foot pain. A couple of carriers have had joint replacement and returned to full duty, maybe a bit slower, but back at work. I don't think there is coverage for long-term illnesses if it is not specific. If the injury got to be so bad that you couldn't perform the job for more than 1-year you could apply for a disability retirement. Work, doesn't cover any short term disability. That is one reason you get 13 days of sick leaver per year.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=After%2013%20years%20of%20doing%20the%20job%20does%20your%20body%20hurt%3F%20%20Do%20you%20have%20any%20job%20related%20injury%20due%20to%20the%20constant%20strain%20of%20your%20job%20such%20as%20casing%20mail%20or%20carrying%20your%20mail.%20%20If%20so%20does%20your%20work%20cover%20this%20if%20its%20not%20a%20specific%20event%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9321)
The sender can request that the Express Mail item be held for pickup at the destination PO. I don't know how often it is used. You are correct that most Express Mail items are delivered as addressed. Keep in mind that I'm a letter carrier so I probably wouldn't see the hold for pickup items. Good question!
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hi%20Dave%2C%0AIt%20states%20on%20USPS%20website%20that%20Express%20Mail%20items%20are%20available%20for%20hold%20at%20a%20local%20office.%20In%20other%20words%2C%20just%20hold%20at%20the%20office%20and%20don%27t%20try%20to%20deliver%20the%20item.%20I%20haven%27t%20found%20that%20to%20be%20true%2C%20PO%20delivers%20every%20item.%20Is%20this%20possible%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8576)
Not to my knowledge, they will not back date postage for items that were supposed to be postmarked previous days. I don't think it would be legal to be done but I can't say that a worker would never back date postage. I've never been in this situation but I would likely refuse any request for me to to do that since that may put my job at risk for falsifying a postmark date and that is usually not worth the risk.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20have%20rebates%20that%20needed%20to%20be%20postmarked%201%2F18%2F14.%20%20Will%20the%20post%20office%20ever%20back%20date%20postage%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10501)
-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
