Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

I have a photograph of mailboxes in a very remote part of South Dakota. Next to the mailboxes is a large barrel. Is this where the mailman would leave packages?

Asked by Joy almost 12 years ago

Hello Joy. The area where you took the photo is probably serviced by a rural carrier or HCR (highway contract routr). These positions are different than the one I am employed as even though we all serve the same function. It makes sense to me that the barrel would be used for packages because I don't think carriers are required to deliver mail to a house that is more than a certain amt of feet from the road. The barrel is a convenient way for the customer to receive packages without having to drive to a post office which is many mlies away and has limited hours. It would also protect the package from damage in inclement weather. I can't confirm this is what the barrel is for.

964 Votes

mailman insists on putting catalogs in my mail not in my name (but previous resident) because it says current resident. Is this a law??

Asked by Renee over 12 years ago

In the example you have cited, the mailer has put "current resident" on the catalog because they would like the item delivered whether or not the named recipient still lives there. As far as I know, we are required to deliver all of those catalogs. I would never risk my job by discarding a catalog that a resident doesn't want to receive. I hope this satisfactorily answers your question.

964 Votes

So, I am expecting a package thats delivered by USPS. 5 days ago, it was at Jamaica(NY). It took the following route - JAMAICA(NY) -> TETERBORO(NJ -> KEARNY(NJ) - > TETERBORO(NJ -> KEARNY(NJ) - > JAMAICA(NY). No update ever since. Whats happening?

Asked by AS almost 12 years ago

I don't know why the routing would keep going back and forth unless it was considered "undeliverable as addressed". I know that those are likely all sorting facilities for packages near or at airports. I'm sorry that I'd have no further information on the package. Possibly the ZIP code on the package isn't correct so the item keeps getting routed between facilities. I would recommend contacting the shipper and telling them what info you are able to get from the USPS website and see if they have maybe received it back marked invalid address. I'm not sure the shipper will have any information. Since the item originated in Jamaica, NY and is now back in Jamaica, NY, it has possibly been returned to the sender for some reason. Thanks for the inquiry.

963 Votes

Hello, I just moved into a new house and put "please forward" on a UPS package for the previous owner and dropped it in my mail box. I realized my mistake when the owner called for the package. What will happen to the package?
Thanks!

Asked by lebee over 12 years ago

I am not sure what will happen to the UPS Package. The USPS may forward it if they have the correct forwarding address on file for the the previous owner, but they may not be obligated to. The USPS may also forward the package but have the recipient pay for the item being forwarded. The item may also be returned to UPS or to the sender. I'm sorry I can't be any more specific re: the package you are inquiring about.

963 Votes

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I was recently offered a job as cca for Melville Long Island and start orientation soon I wanted to know how was the hours and how long did it take you to get a career position

Asked by NA about 12 years ago

Congratulations on being offered the CCA position in Melville. As far as how many hours you will be working per week, it depends on the needs of the office to which you are assigned and how well staffed they are. During the months of July and August, many offices are short-staffed due to letter carriers taking vacation. When I was a Part-Time Flexibe (similar to a CCA), I usually did work a full 40-hour week or at least in the mid-30s. Many offices often have carriers out on long-term injury/illness or on vacation. I think it took about 3 years for me to get a Full-Time Regular position, but I can't remember for sure. It was in the early 2000s. In our office, there were 3 CCAs who recently got a career regular position after less than 1 year so it is hard to say how long it will take. There were PTFs in my office where it took about 8 years to become regulars.

963 Votes

I recently sent a Christmas present in a large envelope. It arrived at the desired address empty. The wrapped present not inside. The package did have tracking, but it obviously reports delivered since the empty envelope made it. what can I do?

Asked by Ella over 12 years ago

I am sorry that the item arrived empty, but I do understand why it shows as arrived delivered. If that package arrived on my route for delivery I would have scanned it "Visible Damage" as well as "Delivered". This would not result in any settlement or claim being paid, but would validate what you are saying. If the item was not insured, I don't believe there is anything that can be done.

962 Votes

I got a strange note from the mailman today that I have to put my name on our apt mailbox or it will be returned to sender. I had lots of instances that my mail has been misdirected with the correct address. My question is am I required to?

Asked by bert over 12 years ago

I don't know the answer to this officially. It would definitely be helpful to put your name on your mailbox, but if a letter were dressed accurately with the correct apt. #, I'm not sure why it would be returned to the sender. If I were delivering to an apt. complex, I wouldn't require this to be done. I live in an apt. building and do put my name on the mailbox, but I don't know that it is required.

962 Votes

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Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

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I have a photograph of mailboxes in a very remote part of South Dakota. Next to the mailboxes is a large barrel. Is this where the mailman would leave packages?

mailman insists on putting catalogs in my mail not in my name (but previous resident) because it says current resident. Is this a law??

So, I am expecting a package thats delivered by USPS. 5 days ago, it was at Jamaica(NY). It took the following route - JAMAICA(NY) -> TETERBORO(NJ -> KEARNY(NJ) - > TETERBORO(NJ -> KEARNY(NJ) - > JAMAICA(NY). No update ever since. Whats happening?

Hello, I just moved into a new house and put "please forward" on a UPS package for the previous owner and dropped it in my mail box. I realized my mistake when the owner called for the package. What will happen to the package?
Thanks!

Also on Jobstr...

I was recently offered a job as cca for Melville Long Island and start orientation soon I wanted to know how was the hours and how long did it take you to get a career position

I recently sent a Christmas present in a large envelope. It arrived at the desired address empty. The wrapped present not inside. The package did have tracking, but it obviously reports delivered since the empty envelope made it. what can I do?

I got a strange note from the mailman today that I have to put my name on our apt mailbox or it will be returned to sender. I had lots of instances that my mail has been misdirected with the correct address. My question is am I required to?

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I have a photograph of mailboxes in a very remote part of South Dakota. Next to the mailboxes is a large barrel. Is this where the mailman would leave packages?

mailman insists on putting catalogs in my mail not in my name (but previous resident) because it says current resident. Is this a law??

So, I am expecting a package thats delivered by USPS. 5 days ago, it was at Jamaica(NY). It took the following route - JAMAICA(NY) -> TETERBORO(NJ -> KEARNY(NJ) - > TETERBORO(NJ -> KEARNY(NJ) - > JAMAICA(NY). No update ever since. Whats happening?

Hello, I just moved into a new house and put "please forward" on a UPS package for the previous owner and dropped it in my mail box. I realized my mistake when the owner called for the package. What will happen to the package?Thanks!

Also on Jobstr...

I was recently offered a job as cca for Melville Long Island and start orientation soon I wanted to know how was the hours and how long did it take you to get a career position

I recently sent a Christmas present in a large envelope. It arrived at the desired address empty. The wrapped present not inside. The package did have tracking, but it obviously reports delivered since the empty envelope made it. what can I do?

I got a strange note from the mailman today that I have to put my name on our apt mailbox or it will be returned to sender. I had lots of instances that my mail has been misdirected with the correct address. My question is am I required to?

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Hello, I just moved into a new house and put "please forward" on a UPS package for the previous owner and dropped it in my mail box. I realized my mistake when the owner called for the package. What will happen to the package?
Thanks!