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.
Sure, the letter should reach its destination as long as it has the proper address and ZIP code. The only issue could be if the letter would need to be returned to you for some reason and you no longer are at the motel and there is nowhere to send the letter to. You don't need to put a return address on the letter to begin with. It's your own choice.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=if%20i%20didn%27t%20put%20in%20a%20change%20of%20address%20at%20the%20post%20office%20where%20i%20used%20to%20live%20and%20then%20i%20send%20a%20letter%20to%20the%20irs%20using%20the%20address%20at%20a%20motel%20i%20am%20temporarily%20staying%20at%20will%20it%20still%20reach%20its%20destination&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13084)
I would guess about 2 weeks if you were to get it back at all. Theoretically if you sent it to the wrong address and it was delivered there, it is conceivable that the recipient may not return the letter to the mail carrier even though they should. If you sent the letter to an address that doesn't exist, the item should be returned with the endorsement "No Such Street" or "No Such Number". I am just not sure of the actual time frame it would take for it to get back to you. It may depend on the workload of the nixie (not deliverable mail) at the destination PO. Thanks for your inquiry.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=If%20I%20sent%20a%20letter%20to%20the%20wrong%20address%2C%20or%20address%20that%20doesn%27t%20exist%2C%20how%20long%20would%20it%20take%2C%20approximately%2C%20for%20me%20to%20receive%20it%20back%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12473)
I would think that it is fine to put outgoing mail in your mailbox with the flag up even though those who share the mailbox with you haven't picked up their mail. The suggestion I would have would be to push their uncollected mail towards the back and your outgoing mail clearly visible towards the front of the box so the letter carrier can easily tell the difference. Hopefully that will work out acceptably for everyone.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20I%20put%20outgoing%20mail%20in%20my%20mailbox%20with%20the%20flag%20up%20if%20there%20is%20still%20mail%20in%20it%20that%20hasn%27t%20been%20picked%20up%3F%20%20The%20people%20I%20share%20a%20mailbox%20with%20are%20slow%20to%20collect%20their%20mail%20but%20I%20feel%20it%20might%20be%20rude%20to%20remove%20it%20just%20so%20I%20can%20mail%20something%21&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13090)
Deedee, I don't know the minimum requirements for taking the USPS carrier exam, but I do think you will need one to actually get hired. I would look on the USPS employment website to see if there is any information on it as to when you need to have a driver license. All city carriers where I work drive postal vehicles and therefore need a driver license. Good luck and thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Will%20I%20be%20disqualified%20for%20employment%20if%20I%20don%27t%20have%20a%20valid%20drivers%20license%20when%20I%20take%20the%20exam&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14125)
Pharmaceutical Researcher
Is there or isn't there a cure for AIDS?
Freelance Writer
Can a freelance writer live comfortably?
Navy Officer (Former)
Why do so many people miss the military after they get out?
Boo, I have never heard of this happening where somebody can reverse delivery on an item that has tracking. My inkling would be that this is not allowed even if it were possible. The only way you would get the letter back is if it was refused at the destination or the address was invalid. You could call 800-ASK-USPS or go to your local Post Office but I don't think that you will get a different answer. Upon further review I went to ehow.com where there is a column written with the title "How to Retrieve a Letter Already Mailed Through the Post Office". The column mentions a form called an application for recall of mail and the steps to fill it out. Also if you go to USPS.com and lookup Package Intercept that may help you as well. You have asked a good question as it got me to do a little research to learn that this service does exist for a fee. The fee looks to be 11.50 per piece. Thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hi%2C%20i%20sent%20a%20letter%20today%20with%20tracking%20on%20it.%20Can%20i%20get%20it%20reversed%20delivered%20back%20to%20me%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12980)
Those are known as collection boxes and on the label which is usually inside the pull-down lid or outside the lid is a schedule of the pick-ups from the box. It is usually 1-2 times per day in the office where I work in suburban Long Island, NY. I've rarely seen it be more than that but in busier urban environments it could be more. Our app for iPhone has a "location" option where you can search for Blue Collection Boxes and the last collection time is posted.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20often%20do%20mailman%20empty%20out%20the%20big%20blue%20usps%20boxes%20they%20have%20outside%20usually%20in%20every%20street%20in%20the%20neighborhood%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13745)
Jasmine, it depends on a few factors such as: the history of the area with regards to packages being safely left unattended, whether the sender asked for a signature of the recipient, and if the the sender asked for the parcel to be delivered even if there is no response. For example, the town where I deliver mail is very safe with regards to theft so I'll leave almost every parcel whether or not there is someone home to receive it. In other towns/cities this may. It be the case and the letter carrier would then leave a PS Form 3849 advising the recipient that we attempted delivery of a package and nobody was there to receive it. The 3849 says that the recipient can either sign for re delivery or pickup the package at the Post Office. We deliver packages sent by Amazon.com and they want their packages delivered even when nobody is home (at least where I work in Long Island, NY.)
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=What%20would%20a%20mailman%20do%20if%20the%20owner%20of%20the%20parcel%20isn%27t%20at%20home.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14040)
-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
