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.
Keegan, I don't know how the pay schedule works for RCA (Rural Carrier Associate) positins. I can direct you to check the website for the NRLCA (National Rural Letter Carriers' Association) at www.nrlca.org where they have some sections that may help you. It seems like you may have to log in to access some of their site. As far as uniforms go, I don't believe you get any allowance for uniforms. There is a minimal dress code to follow for working for the USPS, but I am pretty sure it is comprised of civilian clothes. I haven't seen a rural carrier or RCA where a postal uniform like a City Carrier would. The RCA which delivers mail from the PO that I work at gets to go home when she has completed her route as opposed to City Carriers who are "on the clock". I believe they are paid a set amount for the day no matter how long or short it takes them to deliver the route.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20have%20two%20questions.%20Do%20RCA%27s%20get%20an%20increase%20pay%20after%20being%20there%20a%20certain%20length%20of%20time%3F%20As%20far%20as%20the%20uniforms%20what%20all%20do%20they%20supply%3F%20%28ex%20shoes%2C%20winter%20coats%2C%20%23%20of%20uniforms%29&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13385)
Mail put in a mailbox on a particular day generally won't be delivered the same day. Usually it takes 1-3 days for a letter to be delivered domestically. Even if the origin and destination for the mail item are geographically very close to each other mail is usually processed overnight at a regional mail sorting facility.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=if%20%20I%20put%20something%20in%20the%20mail%20today%20will%20it%20get%20there%20today&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11671)
I am not sure what you mean by this. I carry some of the flats on my arm for a walking route and then some in my satchel since my office deals with FSS meaning there are 2 separate bundles of flats. The key is to try to be as organized as possible when loading up your flats and letters for delivery.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Where%20can%20i%20get%20a%20third%20arm%20for%20delivering%20flats%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9884)
I would recommend not tipping the letter carrier when they bring the mail along with the package. It is a very nice service of him to do. We are technically not supposed to accept any gratuities but I haven't heard of this being enforced to any great extent. Whether or not you get good service from your letter carrier shouldn't depend on a tip. We are professionals that are paid a decent salary (i.e. we aren't paid a low salary such as a bartender/waiter/bellboy who rely on tips). I know some of my fellow USPS employees will disagree with my comments here, but this is how I truly feel re: tips.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Occasionally%20the%20mailman%20brings%20mail%20along%20with%20package%20%28too%20large%20for%20mailbox%29%20to%20the%20front%20door.%20Each%20time%2C%20I%20wonder%20if%20I%20should%20be%20tipping%20him.%20%20I%20haven%27t%20but%20it%20seems%20like%20I%20should%20offer%20it.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12903)
Navy Officer (Former)
What's the most dangerous situation you were ever in?
CBP Officer
Why are so many customs officers huge jerks?
Obstetrician Gynecologist
Has being an OBGYN affected your own beliefs about when "life" begins?
When you put your mail on hold there is an option to either "pick up your mail" or "have the mail delivered to you" on a certain date. If you choose the latter, you may go to the Post Office with proper ID and see if they will give you the mail that has been held and notify your letter carrier to resume delivery the following day. I know that would likely be allowed at the PO which I work at. I can't speak for any other Post Offices. Your best option is to choose "Pick up mail" and then the mail can be held for up to 30 days at the Post Office and you don't have to worry whether you pick up the held mail in 5 days, 15 days, or anytime less than 30 days.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20was%20wondering%20if%20I%20put%20my%20mail%20on%20hold%20for%2010%20days%20am%20I%20allowed%20to%20pick%20my%20mail%20up%20before%20the%2010%20days&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10991)
Shawn, I'd say that this isn't common. Even if "one street over" meant a different town it still shouldn't differ by more of a day in my opinion. It's likely that the letter was missorted somewhere along the way or missdelivered, both which aren't rare. Hopefully the letter will arrive soon. Thank you to your S/O for her service to the country.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=So%20my%20significant%20other%20is%20in%20the%20military%20and%20she%20sent%20two%20letters%20on%20the%20same%20day%2C%20one%20to%20her%20mother%20who%20lives%20one%20street%20over%20was%20received%2C%20mine%20however%20i%20have%20yet%20to%20get%20and%20its%20been%204%20days%20since%20her%20mother%20got%20hers%3F%20Is%20this%20common%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11268)
Danny Mac, thanks for clarifying the question. I hope your postal career works out and always glad to help. As I've mentioned in a previous question, I've have received so much help from so many sources to keep me going when times were tough. Anyhow, regarding the roommate question, that is obviously a very serious accusation/situation. I'm pretty sure that if one is caught delaying or "taking home" first-class mail as mentioned, you could get fired and possibly arrested (though I don't want to be dramatic and say that the latter would happen for sure). Also, why is the writer "stuck" if the roommate is fired? As you can imagine, I hate hearing a story like this. Even though US Mail isn't as important to many people as it used to be it is still sacred in my opinion and should be treated as such, especially 1st Class mail.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20believe%20what%20he%20was%20trying%20to%20say%20is%20his%20roommate%20is%20hording%20some%20of%20his%20mail%20he%20cant%20deliver%20e.g%20pocketing%20his%20last%20few%20relays%20to%20avoid%20getting%20yelled%20at%20for%20being%20late%20etc.%20%21%21Mailman%20Dave%20you%20helped%20me%20early%20in%20my%20postal%20career%20and%20i%20thank%20you%21%21&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11482)
-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
