Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

It is unusual for a mailman to refuse to deliver in 1 to 3 inches of snow if it was not cleared? He is walking across the same amount of snow in neighboring yards after leaving their porch. He grabbed and threw my snow shovel out in my yard today.

Asked by Mike almost 12 years ago

I don't know what is common or not for a mailman to do in that amt. of snow. It seems strange that they would do it for some customers and not others. That said, if a carrier feels they can't safely approach a mailbox due to snow, then they may refuse. I think it all comes down to a judgment call by the letter carrier if there is any doubt for their safety in approaching a mailbox. As to the inconsistency of doing one house as opposed to another house which seem similarly cleared or not cleared, I don't know why that decision is made.

868 Votes

Mailman Dave

I am a cca 4 month now, called in on my day off which i often am and am fine with that but was sent on a nightmare route that i was un familiar with and was unable to complete, am i doomed?

Asked by Rich about 12 years ago

I don't think you should be doomed if you were unable to complete such a large route. Usually the management would request that you call the post office if you require any extra time or assistance in completing a route that you are unfamiliar with. I would hope there would be no discipline in the situation that you just described.

867 Votes

I've been a CCA for almost three months now and since we're so close to Chritmas I've had several customers slip me tips during a postage due or even leave entire boxed presents addressed to me as gifts. How do you handle these situations?

Asked by Kruesser about 11 years ago

It is very kind of the customers to give you tips and or boxed presents for the holiday season. I believe we aren't supposed to accept any gift valued at more than $20 at any one time and it's supposed to be non-cash. I would venture to say that most employees don't follow this rule and it is rare that you'd get in trouble for accepting it. For those that give you gifts, I'd recommend replying with a thank you note or card that you can deliver with the mail the next time you are at their office or residence. I do realize you are a CCA and may be doing different assignments daily unless you have a hold down. Another recommendation is to not discuss any amounts or gifts you receive with your fellow co-workers. It's better to just be modest and quiet about it IMO. I hope this helped you. Please also remember that we are paid to do our job and nobody should expect a tip for doing their job at the USPS. It is unethical to expect any gratuity, but I, like most, will gladly accept it when offered.

867 Votes

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 over 11 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.

867 Votes

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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 about 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.

867 Votes

We recently just moved to a corner house and one of my friends sent me a package with the street address where the house is in but our mailing address is the same house # but with the main ave next to it. Will it still come? Or will it get lost?

Asked by Sofia almost 12 years ago

I don't know that I completely understand your question, but I'll give it a try. Most houses have an official mailing address which should often correspond with the physical location of the house. I can see if it is a corner house it may be a bit confusing. You may want to contact the PO to tell them that this may be happening, and, for further reference, please advise those who mail you items of your correct mailing address and clarify with your PO as to what address should be used. This is a very important subject matter to make sure items get to where they are intended to go, especially with a lot more automated processing of the mail and substitute letter carriers who may not be familiar with all of the names are on a certain route.

866 Votes

I am rca.no benifits.sick or vacay time on my paystub is big fat zeros next to retirement. I have been a sub for 8 years. My boss says i am req to do sundays. If i say i do church can he still force me 2? I cant re the last sat i had off this job sux

Asked by energy over 11 years ago

I am not familiar with the RCA (Rural Carrier Associate) position and the requirements of when you have to work. I do know that it is similar to the CCA position for city letter carriers which don't get any benefits as far as I know, except a uniform allowance. The CCAs in the office where I work sometimes have to work Sundays to deliver Amazon parcels. I would recommend contacting the NRLCA (National Rural Letter Carriers Association) at Phone: 703-684-5545. Their website is www.nrlca.org and they are the union which represents Rural Letter Carriers nationwide. I copied the following from a USPS brochure on RCA hiring: Rural Carrier Associate Facts Variable Work Hours As an RCA, you will replace a regular rural carrier on his or her scheduled day off (primarily Saturday), on vacation, or on other leave. Work hours will vary depending on the office and route to which you are assigned. You must be willing to work weekends and some holidays and be available for on-call employment. You may be assigned to other carriers’ routes, increasing the number of hours you work.

866 Votes

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Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

It is unusual for a mailman to refuse to deliver in 1 to 3 inches of snow if it was not cleared? He is walking across the same amount of snow in neighboring yards after leaving their porch. He grabbed and threw my snow shovel out in my yard today.

Mailman Dave

I am a cca 4 month now, called in on my day off which i often am and am fine with that but was sent on a nightmare route that i was un familiar with and was unable to complete, am i doomed?

I've been a CCA for almost three months now and since we're so close to Chritmas I've had several customers slip me tips during a postage due or even leave entire boxed presents addressed to me as gifts. How do you handle these situations?

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

Also on Jobstr...

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

We recently just moved to a corner house and one of my friends sent me a package with the street address where the house is in but our mailing address is the same house # but with the main ave next to it. Will it still come? Or will it get lost?

I am rca.no benifits.sick or vacay time on my paystub is big fat zeros next to retirement. I have been a sub for 8 years. My boss says i am req to do sundays. If i say i do church can he still force me 2? I cant re the last sat i had off this job sux

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

It is unusual for a mailman to refuse to deliver in 1 to 3 inches of snow if it was not cleared? He is walking across the same amount of snow in neighboring yards after leaving their porch. He grabbed and threw my snow shovel out in my yard today.

Mailman DaveI am a cca 4 month now, called in on my day off which i often am and am fine with that but was sent on a nightmare route that i was un familiar with and was unable to complete, am i doomed?

I've been a CCA for almost three months now and since we're so close to Chritmas I've had several customers slip me tips during a postage due or even leave entire boxed presents addressed to me as gifts. How do you handle these situations?

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

Also on Jobstr...

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

We recently just moved to a corner house and one of my friends sent me a package with the street address where the house is in but our mailing address is the same house # but with the main ave next to it. Will it still come? Or will it get lost?

I am rca.no benifits.sick or vacay time on my paystub is big fat zeros next to retirement. I have been a sub for 8 years. My boss says i am req to do sundays. If i say i do church can he still force me 2? I cant re the last sat i had off this job sux

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Mailman Dave

I am a cca 4 month now, called in on my day off which i often am and am fine with that but was sent on a nightmare route that i was un familiar with and was unable to complete, am i doomed?