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.
It is true that we send all non-deliverable mail which was sent as Presorted Standard rate (and not requested to be returned to the sender) to be recycled or shredded as far as I know. I don't know if it's illegal or not to take extra coupons to give to customers who request them, but I wouldn't get involved in doing that. Nobody has ever really asked me either to do that for them. I have taken Dunkin' Donuts coupons out of the circulars which were extras or non-deliverable. I know this doesn't settle your dispute. I am more disgusted by co-workers who feel that these weekly circulars are sometimes not that important and may not deliver them or make sure that everyone gets one. My attitude is that a mailer is paying for them to be delivered and that's our job whether or not the customers want them. Some other coworkers probably take home coupons that otherwise would be recycled. Again, they probably shouldn't, but never heard any repercussions for doing so. Thanks for your question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hoping%20you%20can%20solve%20a%20debate%20for%20me%20%26%20wife.%20Her%20friend%27s%20hubby%20is%20a%20carrier%20%26%20brings%20home%20%22extra%20coupons%22%20for%20her%20%26%20my%20wife.%20Claims%20they%20are%20undeliverable%20%26%20will%20go%20to%20%22dead%20mail%22%20%26%20just%20going%20to%20be%20shredded%20%26%20Postmaster%20approves.%20I%20say%20it%27s%20illegal&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16521)
I don't know what at you mean by a commercial mailbox, but generally the mail should be delivered as it's addressed unless their is a valid change of address order filed with the USPS. I have never come across that request or situation but I probably wouldn't follow those instructions, though another letter carrier may. We generally don't like special requests like that because we aren't supposed to honor them and who knows if a replacement carrier would do that when the regular carrier is not working. I like to keep thing a simple and straightforward and that seems to work well.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20someone%20put%20a%20note%20on%20a%20commercial%20mail%20box%20instructing%20the%20mail%20carrier%20to%20put%20their%20mail%20in%20a%20different%20box&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16543)
It depends. Some CCAs have a very difficult time comprehending the whole delivery process and procedure and are too slow. Others pick it up rather easily and don't have much of a problem finishing close to on time. The probationary period allows for carrier to improve their efficiency in delivery. From my observation, the supervisors aren't too quick to terminate a probationary CCA if they show improvement, work safely, have a great attitude, plus aren't too slow. You can tell that some workers are just clueless about what they're doing. They don't last too long. It's not a super difficult concept to deliver mail properly, but you need to be able to follow a map and be organized. The more one does it, the easier it gets. There are some CCAs who I thought may not pass probation, but did and are doing a decent job or "good enough for government work".
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=In%20your%20opinion%2C%20%28as%20all%20your%20answers%20are%29%20do%20you%20think%20most%20CCA%27s%20have%20difficult%20finishing%20a%20route%20on%20time%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17395)
Hello CP2015, I'm not sure what POCs are but I'll guess and say those are the amt of possible deliveries you have each day which sounds like a lot to me. It isn't easy to work outside in the summer when the sun is pounding down on you. While I prefer the heat vs the extreme cold, the summer can be taxing on your body. I'd recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your eyes, face, and neck. I also recommend drinking as much water as you can even before you get thirsty. It sweats off of you pretty quickly so the more you stay hydrated the better you should feel. In terms of actually burning, I suppose you could apply sunscreen liberally with an SPF of 40+. Stay safe and thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=er%2C%20i%20meant%20%22under%22.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/17175)
Hotel Front Desk Agent
Why do hotel room toilets clog so easily?
Zookeeper and Animal Trainer
Which cuddly-seeming animals are actually dangerous to be around?
Pharmaceutical Researcher
Will we see a cure for cancer in this lifetime?
I think many letter carriers would just leave it because they may notice right away that there is no address on it or stamp. I can't speak for all letter carriers because there are many of us who don't pay attention and just take what's in the mailbox as outgoing mail. I don't think this good for them to do but some of my co-workers are clueless or are possibly paying attention to their smart phone vs. paying attention to the task at hand. To be honest, the mailbox should only be used for US Mail. My advice would be to not leave this letter in someone's mailbox to guard against the above scenario happening. To sum up my answer in one word: maybe.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hi%20I%20wanted%20to%20know%2C%20if%20I%20placed%20a%20letter%20with%20just%20a%20name%20and%20no%20stamp%20into%20someone%27s%20mailbox%20would%20the%20mailman%20take%20it%2C%20or%20leave%20it%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/16666)
A letter mailed on a Monday from CA to GA should be received in about 3 days. If there is severe weather or other transportation issues that keep the mail from moving, its possible it could take longer. I wouldn't be too concerned that the Easter Card hasn't arrived. I hope it will arrive in a couple of more days.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20sent%20an%20easter%20card%20from%20Sacramento%20CA%20to%20Eatonton%20GA%20Monday%20April%203%20and%20it%20has%20not%20arrived%20yet.%20Should%20I%20worry%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18462)
Lara, today I had a similar situation today with one of the customers I deliver to. They showed me their USPS Infromed Delivery email and an item shown wasn't in their actual mail. It was a specific letter they were waiting for. I don't know what to do if the letter doesn't show up. Your question seems to also ask about not getting any delivery whatsoever on Saturday. That shouldn't happen. We deliver on Mon-Sat excluding national holidays. I know some offices are having a staff shortage, but that's not a great explanation. I have little faith In the quality of work done by some coworkers and supervisors. Many have an "I don't care" attitude. This is nothing new but seemingly more prevalent lately.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20know%20what%20mail%20is%20coming%20via%20informed%20delivery%20on%20USPS%20website.%20What%20happens%20when%20I%20don%27t%20receive%20it%3F%20It%20seems%20as%20though%20the%20mailman%20didn%27t%20even%20show%20up%20today%2C%20and%20it%27s%20Saturday.%20Mail%20should%20come%20on%20Saturday%21%20Do%20you%20have%20any%20explanation%20for%20this%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/18767)
-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
