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.
That is a great question which I will answer in 2 ways. For the last few years I wore an MP3 player (iphone) with a wired earpiece while I delivered mail on foot and listened to podcasts. I always left one ear exposed and not listening to the podcasts. Nobody ever said a word to me about it. Recently, however, I returned to work after an extended absence (on an off for almost one year) and a co-worker who saw me "wired" to listen to the PED said that while I was out we had a service/safety talk that we weren't allowed to be using the PED's while we are at work either in or out of the Post Office. I thanked him for his advice, but thought I would do a little more investigating. I asked about 2 or 3 other co-workers and they said they didn't know anything about a rule like that. I didn't ask my supervisor or shop steward. I don't believe it is anything you would get disciplined for, but the mgmt. may say you aren't allowed to use them. If they ever did that I may ask to see that policy in writing even though I could see mgmt. as saying it falls under the "you will be distracted" reasoning. Again, I have never seen it as an issue at the PO where I work, but please keep in mind that I don't listen to it loudly and only have the ear buds in one ear. When a customer comes to speak with me, I put the personal electronic device (PED) on pause and sometimes even take out the earpiece. I would be very disappointed if they made a rule about not listening to an MP3 player while delivering mail as that is very helpful in getting me through the workday, not to mention I learn a lot from the podcasts. Thanks for writing in with your question.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Are%20carriers%20allowed%20to%20listen%20to%20an%20mp3%20player%20while%20walking%20a%20route%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11943)
We attempt to deliver the actual parcel or certified or accountable mail (registered, insured) one time and leave a PS Form 3849 if nobody is available to sign for it. Within the next 15 days, we then leave 2 more PS Form 3849s (notice of item attempted to be delivered) before return the item to the shipper. If an addressee signs the PS Form 3849 to authorize delivery and leaves it in the mailbox we will generally deliver the item the next day even if nobody is around to physically accept.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=how%20many%20delivery%20attempts%20USPS%20do%20before%20return%20the%20package%20to%20the%20shipper%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10389)
I don't know for sure what would happen with your package. It could be returned to you for better packaging, delivered in the condition it was found, or re-wrapped by the USPS and delivered. I suppose they could throw it away if they can't figure out who it is intended for or who it came from.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20put%20a%20package%20in%20my%20out%20going%20box%20and%20when%20the%20mailman%20picked%20it%20up%20he%20said%20it%20was%20leaking.%20It%20had%20candy%20in%20it.%20What%20will%20happen%20to%20the%20package%3F%20Will%20it%20be%20delivered%20or%20expected%20or%20just%20thrown%20away&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8785)
I wear uniform issue letter carrier shoes. The brand I usually wear is New Balance and have a special non-slip surface. The USPS provides us with a yearly allowance to put towards uniforms and footwear.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=My%20son%20works%20at%20convienence%20store%20standing%20and%20walking%2012%20hours%20a%20day%20can%20you%20please%20tell%20me%20what%20kind%20of%20shoes%20you%20wear.%20thankyou%20donna&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10103)
iPhone & iPad Technician
Do you think tablets are just a fad?
Business Start-Up Specialist
Should friends go into business together?
Call Center Employee (Retail)
What's the meanest thing someone's said to you on the phone?
I don't understand the question. I don't know about the different forms which are required for shipments which come from other countries. Do you know if the item was coming from an international source? I don't know why the item in US Customs would be labeled as to be sent to sender. That wouldn't be good as you are the addressee and not the sender. If the sender is just giving you a bunch of excuses and not offering any refund, it could be a scam. I'm sorry that I have no knowledge about the ins and outs of US Customs and shipping of items.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=I%20had%20an%20issue%20that%20I%20believe%20may%20have%20been%20a%20scam.%20I%20ordered%20something%20and%20the%20person%20says%20that%20the%20USPS%20used%20an%20international%20express%20form%20instead%20of%20USA%20and%20that%20the%20package%20is%20sitting%20in%20US%20customs%20waiting%20to%20be%20sent%20to%20%22sender%22%20not%20%22addressee%22%20%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/11243)
I think if you put a total of 3 Forever Stamps on an envelope that would be sufficient to cover a letter to Guatemala. The minimum rate for a letter there is apprx. $1.10 so 3 stamps would be good to be on the safe side. A trip to the PO wouldn't be necessary unless the item weighed more than 13 oz. I think.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Do%20I%20need%20to%20go%20to%20the%20post%20office%20to%20mail%20a%20letter%20to%20Guatemala%2C%20or%20can%20I%20just%20put%20a%20couple%20extra%20stamps%20on%20the%20letter%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10452)
I don't know why there would be a "delivered" scan on a package that was shipped the same day as the status you are referencing. That status usually means that the package was delivered. If the destination city is the same as the sending city, 7 Days seems like way too Long. Inside a city is usually the next day or 2. I don't know if your package will arrive at its destination but hope it will. You may call 1 800 ASK USPS with the tracking # to see if there is any more info/suggestions.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Recently%20started%20a%20business%20on%20eBay.%20One%20of%20the%20orders%20was%20marked%20as%20DELIVERED%20on%20the%20same%20day%20it%20was%20shipped%2C%20but%20the%20final%20destination%20is%20my%20own%20city.%20It%27s%20been%20seven%20days.%20What%20does%20this%20status%20mean%3F%20Will%20the%20shipment%20still%20reach%20its%20destination%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/8685)
-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
