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.
Keegan, I don't know how the pay schedule works for RCA (Rural Carrier Associate) positins. I can direct you to check the website for the NRLCA (National Rural Letter Carriers' Association) at www.nrlca.org where they have some sections that may help you. It seems like you may have to log in to access some of their site. As far as uniforms go, I don't believe you get any allowance for uniforms. There is a minimal dress code to follow for working for the USPS, but I am pretty sure it is comprised of civilian clothes. I haven't seen a rural carrier or RCA where a postal uniform like a City Carrier would. The RCA which delivers mail from the PO that I work at gets to go home when she has completed her route as opposed to City Carriers who are "on the clock". I believe they are paid a set amount for the day no matter how long or short it takes them to deliver the route.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20have%20two%20questions.%20Do%20RCA%27s%20get%20an%20increase%20pay%20after%20being%20there%20a%20certain%20length%20of%20time%3F%20As%20far%20as%20the%20uniforms%20what%20all%20do%20they%20supply%3F%20%28ex%20shoes%2C%20winter%20coats%2C%20%23%20of%20uniforms%29&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13385)
Generally, a mailman (letter carrier-terms are synonomous) is the only person who will deliver from a post office, but I don't know that to be an absolute rule. My brother is a clerk at a post office which is comprised only of rural letter carriers. If Express Mail arrives later in the day when the rural letter carriers have completed their routes, either he or another clerk, or maybe a supervisor will deliver the Express Mail item. Also, in general, a package that arrives at a local post office on a particular day at 2:00 PM should be delivered with the following delivery days mail. Again, it's not an absolute guarantee but within the normal course of operations, I would think it should be delivered.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Is%20a%20mailman%20the%20only%20person%20who%20delivers%20from%20the%20post%20office.%20And%20if%20my%20package%20was%20recieved%20by%20a%20local%20post%20office%20yesterday%20at%202%3A00%20should%20it%20come%20the%20next%20day%20on%20Saturday%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10875)
No, a lettter carrier isn't supposed to accept any gift of substantial value from someone on his route. It doesn't mean that it isn't done, just that it's not supposed to be done. I don't know of anybody losing a job due to this but they aren't supposed to appear to be accepting gifts from customers.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20a%20mailman%20accept%20an%20expensive%20gift%20from%20someone%20on%20his%20route%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10128)
Dan, I don't know the answer to your question. You likely live on a RR (Rural Route) or HCR (Highway Contract Route) given the fact that the mailbox is so far from your lake home. This has no bearing on what ZIP code you use as far as I know. I could see either ZIP code working based on what you told me, but I'm sure only one ZIP is actually correct. My suggestion is to stop in at a local post office during their business hours and ask a clerk or supervisor what ZIP you shoud be using or possibly call them if you can find their phone # or possibly 1-800-ASK-USPS. Thanks for writing and congratulations on your new home purchase.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=We%20just%20purchased%20a%20lake%20home.%20The%20mailbox%20is%20a%20quarter%20mile%20away%20in%20a%20different%20zip%20code%20than%20the%20house.%20%20Which%20zip%20code%20is%20correct%3F%20%20%28USPS%20lookup%20gives%20me%20where%20the%20mailbox%20is%20but%20I%20have%20successfully%20used%20the%20other%20one%29&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11738)
Federal Lobbyist
What was the strangest lobbying request you've ever received?
Freelance Writer
Can a freelance writer live comfortably?
Audiologist
Are earbuds dangerous for my ears?
I agree that the note is not very professional. At our office, a SUpv has official forms that would be filled out if delivery was going to be suspended due to a blocked box. I believe you understand the point of the note. Since I don't know what your street looks like, I don't know the parking situation, but normally clearance has to be provided so the letter carrier can approach the mailbox, deliver the mail, and then depart without having to leave the vehicle. I don't know the best way to approach this issue, but a call to the PO wouldn't hurt and have a discussion with the supervisor regarding the note and the regulations for suspending delivery due to a blocked mailbox.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20received%20a%20handwritten%20note%20on%20my%20mail%20in%20these%20exact%20words%20and%20misspelling%2C%20%22Not%20playin%20maze%20game%20with%20cars%20by%20box.%203%20days%20no%20delivery%2010-23%2C%2010-24%2C%2010-25%22.%20How%20should%20I%20address%20this%20impolite%20note%20from%20the%20mail%20carrier%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9748)
I would say that it is fine to leave a correctly addressed and posted letter in your mailbox for the carrier to take with them to mail. I would recommend that the letter be very visible so that the letter carrier can see the letter they are supposed to take with them.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20just%20recently%20moved%20to%20Joliet%2CIL%20and%20I%27m%20used%20to%20mailboxes%40the%20end%20of%20the%20driveway%20w%2Fthe%20red%20lever.My%20mailbox%20is%20by%20my%20front%20door.My%20question%20is%20can%20I%20leave%20a%20letter%20correctly%20addressed%20w%2Fpostage%20in%20my%20mailbox%20for%20my%20mailman%20to%20be%20mailed%20out%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10098)
Darelle, I don't know why the status would say No Authorized Recipient Available. It seems that nobody even tried knocking/ringing your door if you were home all day but you don't remember anybody. If there is too much snow, they may not attempt delivery. You may sign the note/leave in mailbox or visit www.usps.com to ask for a re-delivery attempt or pick up the item yourself at the post office mentioned on the PS3849-Delivery Attempt Notice Left. It seems that you probably didn't even get a notice yesterday, only an online notice which may not have been true.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20have%20a%20package%20that%20was%20suppose%20to%20be%20here%20yesterday.%20It%20said%2C%20Notice%20Left%20%28No%20Authorized%20Recipient%20Available%29%20February%206%202014%204%3A12%20pm%20FORT%20RILEY%20KS%2066442%0A%0ABut%2C%20I%20was%20home%20the%20whole%20time...%20Will%20the%20mail%20man%20come%20to%20my%20door%20if%20theres%20snow%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10631)
-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
