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.
I don't think there is any automation involved after 18 months from when a forwarding order started. At the sorting case, a carrier has pink cards with stickers on them which can say when a particular forwarding order started. I keep those cards for about 2-3 years and once the forwarding order has expired (18 months), I put a line through the sticker and maybe a little marker at the address in the carrier case indicating UTF. "Return service requested" AFAIK means that if the letter was going to be forwarded to a new addrees, the sender would like the letter returned to them with the new address info. The carriers handle them just as they would any forward and the CFS (Computerized Forwarding System) will know that the sender wanted the letter returned. The sender does pay an extra fee for this service.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hi.%20When%20forwarding%20requests%20are%20no%20longer%20active%2C%20is%20there%20anything%20at%20the%20sorting%20case%2Ffacility%20that%20automatically%20designates%20the%20mail%20as%20UTF%3F%20Also%2C%20how%20are%20letters%20with%20%22return%20service%20requested%22%20endorsements%20handled%20by%20letter%20carriers%20or%20PO%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/9319)
I dont know if they are officially allowed to do this, but I'd do that if it were a once-in-awhile siituation where access to a door slot or mailbox was blocked. I know I prefer to deliver the mail rather than bring it back to the PO. If a customer wanted to complain that this was being done, they certainly could speak to a delivery supervisor and voice a comment about this. if a mailbox can't be accessed or doesn't exist, a carrier can return the mail to the sender marked NMR which stands for "No Mail Receptacle"
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Can%20a%20mailman%20rubber%20band%20mail%20to%20a%20door%20knob%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10254)
If the mail is addressed correctly otherwise and only off by one letter, it should be delivered to the correct house. It would maybe a problem if there was another street in the same town which had a similar name or suffix (like the town had a 3rd St and a 3rd Av). The most important things in an address would be the # and ZIP code. If the street is spelled somewhat close, you'd likely have the item delivered to the correct house. Thank you for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=if%20you%20were%20sending%20mail%20to%20someone%2C%20and%20you%20spelled%20their%20street%20address%20wrong%20by%20one%20letter%20%28ex.%20Hamptons%20but%20spelled%20as%20Hampton%29%20and%20everything%20else%20correct%2C%20will%20it%20mail%20to%20the%20correct%20house%3F&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/14186)
Nizu, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by your question, but I will take a guess. I believe you are a letter carrier who doesnt yet have a uniform or uniform allowance. I'm pretty sure that not long after you pass the 90-day probationary period the USPS should be sending you information on how to purchase uniforms plus a spending card which can be used at authorized vendors to make purchases of authorized uniform components. This is for city letter carriers and CCAs. I don't know anything about rural carriers and a uniform allowance. Have you asked your supervisor if they know anything about the process? Thanks for writing.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=How%20can%20I%20write%20a%20letter%20to%20manager%20for%20collect%20my%20uniform&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/12932)
Antiques Dealer
How easy is it to forge a rare piece, and are fakes a big problem in the antiquing world?
Court Reporter
If your special keyboard lets you type 200+ words per minute, why doesn't everyone use them?
iPhone & iPad Technician
What's something you think Apple does surprisingly POORLY?
I am not sure what will happen re :your license being suspended and being offered a CCA Position. How long do you think it will be before you get your license back? I don't believe it is legal to have you driving a USPS vehicle with a suspended driver license.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=got%20offered%20the%20city%20carrier%20assistant%20position%20but%20just%20found%20out%20my%20license%20is%20suspended...%20will%20they%20work%20with%20me%20until%20i%20get%20it%3F%20what%20can%20i%20do%2C%20been%20unemployed%20for%20over%20a%20year%20and%20i%20REALLY%20need%20this%20job%21%21%21&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10022)
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.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=It%20is%20unusual%20for%20a%20mailman%20to%20refuse%20to%20deliver%20in%201%20to%203%20inches%20of%20snow%20if%20it%20was%20not%20cleared%3F%20%20He%20is%20walking%20across%20the%20same%20amount%20of%20snow%20in%20neighboring%20yards%20after%20leaving%20their%20porch.%20%20He%20grabbed%20and%20threw%20my%20snow%20shovel%20out%20in%20my%20yard%20today.&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/10267)
Randy, I dont know the answer to your question. I can see it turning out both ways. On one hand, the carrier may be familiar with you and/or the neighborhood and feel it is safe enough to leave the mail by your door without risk of it being stolen. On the other hand, they may have rules saying that this is forbidden and not be able to verify that you actually wrote the note. you could also call your local PO to find out if they can be of any help, but I'm guessing they will say that you have to get a replacement key and can't risk bringing the mail to your door. I'm being purposefully vague because I have a feeling that there would be different answers from different offices/personnel. I hope you can find your mailbox key.
Share Answer: &caption=Jobstr.com&description=Hi%21%20I%27ve%20had%20some%20mail%20%28along%20with%20a%20battery%29%20sitting%20in%20my%20mailbox%20for%20a%20couple%20days%2C%20my%20key%20is%20missing.%20Can%20I%20leave%20a%20note%20for%20the%20mail%20carrier%20to%20deliver%20the%20mail%20to%20my%20house%3F%20Even%20though%20it%27s%20a%20neighborhood%20mailbox%3F%20I%27m%20in%20Texas%2C%20if%20that%20helps.%3A%29&redirect_uri=http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4154-mailman-city-letter-carrier-/question/13071)
-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
