Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

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.

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Last Answer on February 18, 2022

Best Rated

If you moved and didn't do a forwarding address and your neighbor tells them you moved...which by the way it was because my paycheck was already in the pipeline, so was coming back everyday looking for it....can they hold your mail??

Asked by kbear over 11 years ago

Kbear, from what I gather in your question, you moved and didn't do a forwarding order on purpose because your paycheck was already in the mail? If this happens, the letter carrier might hold the mail at the PO for a certain amt. of days, but that doesn't seem likely. The letter carrier might complete an Employee-Generated Change of Address form and check a box "Moved Left No Address". In that case any mail addressed to you would be returned to the sender with "Moved, Left No Address" on the envelope.   You could check with your local post office from where you moved and see what they have been doing with your mail. I don't know that you will get any resolution to your question, but it is worth a try. Good luck and thank you for writing.

I'm a month old CCA now and I live in Ohio. It's getting cold so I need a good pair of gloves to keep my hands dry/warm and still be able to finger the mail. What would you recommend? Also what do you recommend for the winter months?

Asked by Bradan over 11 years ago

Bradan, I feel your pain. It is a horrible feeling to be out in the elements, being cold and uncomfortable with hours to go in your deliveries. I haven't by any means mastered this problem. The uniform vendors that sell for the USPS offer fingerless gloves (the upper 1/3 or 1/2 of your fingers are exposed) but they aren't terribly useful. Some gloves offered have raised dots that can help you finger the mail. I use them sometimes. Try and keep the rest of your body as warm as possible with layering including thermal underwear. Definitely wear a hat, two if necessary. Even if your fingertips are exposed, you may want to invest in a box of single-use handwarmers (sometimes called hot hands) which are little packets that you shake to activate and then can put inside your gloves or in your pants pockets or glove pockets which you will keep you warm. My girlfriend just bought a box of 40 hand warmers for $12.99 at Costco.

Do you know people who work at the post office yet have a dream of doing their own business? Do some people work at the post office and work on their dream at night until they get a breakthrough in the area of the dreams?

Asked by JTDN over 12 years ago

I am sure This happens a lot. While it is a very secure job to have, it's not what everyone wants as a career. Some of my co-workers have left for jobs with other govt agencies, to become police officers. I don't know of anyone who started a business once they got a breakthrough. But we are a huge company so it has likely happened. Not too many people resign after being on the job more than 5 years. 

do you get another chance to take the road test for rca if you fail the first time

Asked by pink floyd almost 12 years ago

I don't know the procedure re: road tests and being able to retake them if you fail the first time. I'd recommend getting in contact with the National Rural Letter Carrier's Association at www.nrlca.org and see if they have any advice. Good luck to you.

Hi I just got hired as a cca. I've been reading post on the Internet and have seeing that cca's are hired for 1yr then fired and rehired. Is this what I should expect or is this just hear say?

Asked by Kevin about 12 years ago

I don't know that to be the case where they hire and fire CCA after a year. I have never seen anybody hired for 1 yr then fired and rehired. As long as you are doing a respectable job, it's not likely you would be fired for an invalid reason.

What does it mean when my postman says he is going to report me to USPS. What does this mean, and what will happen?

Asked by Slayerrocks over 11 years ago

I am not sure what that means when the postman says that he wil report you to the USPS. Did you have some type of conflict with him? Do you have a dog that bit him or is loose when the letter carrier comes to make his delivery? Depending on what he is reporting you for, you may get a letter or phone call from a supervisor or postmaster to discuss or rectify a situation (though you didn't mention what the situation is or you may not even know). It could also result in suspension of mail delivery for a period of time. 

If I don't pass the exam the first time, is there a mandatory wait before I can try again? Also, please excuse my spelling on the previous question...thanks.

Asked by Jeremy about 12 years ago

I don't know of any mandatory waiting period after you take the postal exam which you must wait to take it a second or third time. Good luck to you in taking the exam. There may be a mandaory waiting time, but I just am not familiar with it.