Ask a Mailman (City Letter Carrier) anything

1237 Questions

Last Answer on February 18, 2022

Have you ever found a snake or something like that in a mail box?

Asked by 777 almost 7 years ago

I’ve never found any odd animal inside a mailbox. In the area I deliver, I don’t think there are snakes in the wild. The main thing we’d need to be careful about are wasps or bees and I don’t see them around he mailboxes too often.

376 Votes

Is USPS better then private shipping companies?

Asked by Jimmy over 6 years ago

Not really. If you are referring to FedEx or UPS, they have a very good reputation for quality work and they are profit driven so their management is under pressure to get things correct. I also think that they have better technology. The flipside to that is that they are sometimes more expensive and do not go to every address in the USA. I think USPS does a very good job in delivery but we employ too much “dead weight” and people not caring about quality work. Of course, those other companies may have the same issues, but I think their employees are on a shorter leash if they make too many errors. I am proud to work for USPS and what I do, but don’t think we are better than the major alternatives.

374 Votes

THE TV METROLOGIST HAS GONE AWAY WITH OUT WARRING WHERE HAS HE GONE AND WHY?!

Asked by Red alert ???? over 6 years ago

I doubt the q is relevant to this website subject.

373 Votes

Do you have radios in your truck? I am talking about both two ways and AM/FM

Asked by Funky Kong over 6 years ago

In the vehicle I drive, which is called an LLV (Long life vehicle), there is no radio or any kind installed. No AM/FM and no 2-way radio with the base post office or any dispatch. We use cell phones to either call or text our supervisors if necessary. Our hand held scanning devices also have the ability to text message the supervisors but I don’t think those messages are checked too frequently by the management. The phone is our best means of communication IMO.

373 Votes

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Why are some mail vehicles marked USPS and others just marked US mail?

Asked by Jj over 6 years ago

I have never noticed that. I know that a rural carrier who sometimes uses their own vehicle sometimes just has a placard or magnetic sticker on the car that says US Mail. The USPS didn’t exist before 1971 but our whole fleet in use now would be substantially newer than that. My vehicle says “United States Postal Service” and also “www.usps.com” on the side. Our logos used to be an eagle which said “US Mail” below it. My uniform now has a more modern eagle and says “United States Postal Service”. To me they are synonymous terms.

371 Votes

In response to the last question. If its a bussiness cant you walk in and give it to someone who works there if theres no mailbox

Asked by James Crowley almost 7 years ago

I didn’t think about that with regards to your last question about an address having no mailbox. You are correct. Many businesses don’t have mailboxes. We would just walk in and leave it with an employee at the business, at a reception area or other designated area. If the business happens to be closed when we get there, it’s normal procedure to just attempt the mail on the next delivery day. This is very common in office buildings when many businesses are closed on Saturday. We would bring all accumulated mail for delivery on the next delivery day (usually a Monday).

369 Votes

I'm a new resident in a high rise apt bldg. My mail carrier scolded me harshly today saying "I snuck up behind her" while I was checking my mail. Not a good first impression to make with your mail carrier. How do I smooth it over?

Asked by ccriscitello over 6 years ago

It doesn’t sound like a good first impression, but it doesn’t sound like you did anything malicious on purpose. I don’t know that I would ever harshly scold anyone about most things but I have a high amount of patience which maybe your carrier, doesn’t have. I suppose the next time you see her you could explain (or apologize) that you didn’t mean anything by it. I also guess you could wait until the letter carrier is completely done sorting the mall before checking on your mail, but I don’t think that is always necessary either. I’m sorry to be so vague, but it almost seems like a short temper on behalf of the letter carrier. This is based on what you’ve described not truly knowing either of your personalities. I just hope your next interaction with your letter carrier is calm and cordial. Thanks for writing.

366 Votes