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.
There is probably danger to any job. I don't feel any danger on my job for personal safety if you are referring to criminal activity. I work in a very safe area in suburban Nassau County, NY. The answer may be different if you delivered mail in an area with a higher crime rate. As far as danger when it comes to being injured, I am a very cautious driver and wouldn't want to have any type of motor vehicle accident. You have to be careful crossing streets and lawns, as well as icy surfaces in the winter. Also, dogs are a concern but if you must skip delivery to a house that has a dog loose you just do it and tell a supevisor when you return to the Post Office. Fortunately, I've not been injured or in a motor vehicle accident during my career. I hope it stays that way.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Is%20there%20a%20danger%20aspect%20to%20your%20job%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12355)
I don't know that the mailbox is technically USPS property. It should only be used for US Mail as far as I know. The mailman probably shouldn't have taken the gift bags if they weren't properly addressed and contatined sufficient postage. Having the flag up does generally signal that somebody has outgoing mail so we know to stop there even if there is no "incoming" mail to that address. I would look at any item that is in a customers mailbox and it is usually quite apparent if it is meant as outgoing mail or not. That being said, I would never recommend that anybody leave anything in a mailbox that isn't associated with US Mail or the USPS. I think in most cases the gift bags would have been left alone in the mailbox, but we have employees among us who aren't that sharp or mayne they were just trying to prove a point that non-mail items should be in the mailbox. I can't comment on why the gift bags disappeared. It is just speculation on my part.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=A%20relative%20thought%20it%20was%20a%20good%20idea%20to%20place%20gift%20bags%20for%20my%20kids%20in%20our%20mailbox%20with%20the%20flag%20up%20figuring%20it%20would%20signal%20to%20us%20that%20there%20was%20something%20in%20there.%20Well%20apparently%20the%20mailman%20took%20them%21%20I%20was%20told%20the%20mailbox%20was%20USPS%20property%21..%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12169)
I dont know if they are officially allowed to do this, but I'd do that if it were a once-in-awhile siituation where access to a door slot or mailbox was blocked. I know I prefer to deliver the mail rather than bring it back to the PO. If a customer wanted to complain that this was being done, they certainly could speak to a delivery supervisor and voice a comment about this. if a mailbox can't be accessed or doesn't exist, a carrier can return the mail to the sender marked NMR which stands for "No Mail Receptacle"
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20a%20mailman%20rubber%20band%20mail%20to%20a%20door%20knob%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10254)
I am not sure. If you put the correct town on it where it is supposed to be returned to maybe contact your PO to alert them of this error and what the correct address should be. This way when it arrives at your local PO, they will have been advised as to the correct address to deliver the passport.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20wrote%20an%20incorrect%20retrun%20address%20home%20%23%20on%20an%20important%20legal%20document%20I%20am%20expecting%20%28passport%29.%20Express%20Mail%20via%20USPS.%20How%20to%20catch%20it%20before%20it%20goes%20back%20to%20the%20sender%20%20%3F%20Please%20help.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8734)
Professional Bull Rider
Have you been seriously injured while bull-riding?
Dry Cleaner
Why do dry cleaners have autographed pictures on their walls?
Antiques Dealer
Does a piece's value increase significantly if it has a cool "back-story" to go along with it?
Scott, you ask a very good question and I do understand your hesitation for wanting to address this issue with her for fear of retaliation. I would take the step of writing a note for the carrier and politely asking them to close the lid after delivering the mail. I realize I agreed with you that there was a slight risk in addressing the issue, but if dealt with politely I'd hope there would be no cause for retaliation. Also, a call to the delivery supervisor would be appropriate if you dI'd see any obvious retaliation.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=my%20mail%20carrier%20refuses%20to%20close%20the%20lid%20%28flip-up%20lid%20worksfine%29%20after%20delivering%20my%20mail..%20instead%20of%20closing%2C%20she%20gives%20a%20quick%20flip%20%26%20drives%20off.%20%20Drives%20me%20crazy%20but%20afraid%20to%20address%20it%20out%20of%20fear%20she%20will%20%22lose%22%20my%20mail.%0AHow%20should%20I%20address%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10630)
I don't have any inside knowledge on how long it would take to make a FT regular carrier in the LA area. I agree though that 9 yrs is a long time to wait. Congratulations and good luck to you!
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20just%20got%20hired%20as%20a%20CCA%20and%20start%20orientation%20next%20week.%20Go%20me%21%20The%20current%20CCA%20%289%20years%29%20that%20delivers%20to%20my%20house%20is%20still%20trying%20to%20go%20FT.%20That%20seems%20a%20very%20long%20time%20to%20wait.%20IYO%2C%20how%20hard%20is%20it%20to%20go%20FT%20in%20the%20Los%20Angeles%20metro%20area%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9838)
Tera, I am sorry but I don't know where the package you sent your boyfriend is, though I think you knew that already. If a letter carrier can't figure out which apt. # a piece of mail should go to, they often will have it returned to sender though I realize you left off your address as well. The package was either delivered to the wrong apt number or sent to an office that handles undeliverable mail. I am not sure where that office is or what happens to items sent there.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=So%20I%20sent%20my%20Boyfriend%20a%20care%20package%20and%20I%20forgot%20to%20put%20his%20apartment%20number%20on%20the%20address.%20As%20I%20tracked%20it%2C%20it%20said%20it%20was%20delivered%2C%20yet%20he%20hasn%27t%20received%20it.%20I%20also%20didnt%20put%20a%20reture%20address%20on%20it.%20Where%20do%20you%20think%20it%20could%20be%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11638)
-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
