Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

Mailman (City Letter Carrier)

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.

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Last Answer on February 18, 2022

Best Rated

What is the best way to insure that your mail is delivered the fastest? Directly handing it to your mailman or taking it to the post office?

Asked by Iris almost 12 years ago

It is probably a toss up as to which is the quickest. To make sure that it gets dispatched with the mail the day you leave it at the PO, I'd recommend bringing it directly to the PO. The reason why I call it a toss up is that the final dispatch of mail from a post office to the processing facility doesnt happen until all of the letter carriers have returned from their assignments and back to the local PO.

I am considering getting into the postal service as a mail carrier, but I want to start out in this position rather then work my way up. Is this possible or do I have to start at the bottom?

Asked by Amanda over 11 years ago

No, you don't have to start at the bottom. Many mail carriers start out in that position. Nowadays, you are likely to be starting as a CCA (City Carrier Assistant). I think that the position is one you are just paid per hour worked and I don't know that there is any health insurance or other benefits or guarantee of hours either. As full-time positions become available in an office, a CCA is often promoted to the position of Full Time Regular Letter Carrier which has many benefits as well as a guarantee of 40 hours per week.  If you visit www.nalc.org and look at the left hand side of the page there is a section that says "Welcome, New Hires!" which should answer any CCA questions in greater detail.

a letter was picked up at my employers office in burbank,ca. in the afternoon. when should i get it in downtown l.a.(about 20 miles apart)

Asked by Cboy4200 over 11 years ago

I believe the service standard for a letter from Burbank to LA is 1 day. It is not a guarantee but most letters probably meet that standard. 

Looking to relocate from small town in Kansas to somewhere in the Houston Texas area. Is it possible to apply for and get a job in another state before actually moving there?

Asked by jadrian over 11 years ago

I am sorry but I am not familiar with the application process and how it would work if you didn't live in the area. If you go to www.usps.com and look at careers that may give you an idea. I hope in your case that it is possible.

What time are you coming to el cajon ca today

Asked by netta about 11 years ago

Netta, this q and A website deals more with questions about a job or career with the USPS as a mailman. I don't have specifics about customer service issues or delivery times. In most places, I'd guess that mail is delivered between 0930 and 1630 barring any staffing or weather issues.

Is it legal for a postal driver to drive by residence without delivering package shipped express? If not, is it illegal to catch up to postal driver to obtain package, especially when its Veterans medication? Please answer both questions

Asked by Baffled over 11 years ago

If an item is mailed Express, the carrier at the destination Post Office should make an attempt to deliver the package on the day it is received. I don't think they should be driving by the residence and not attempting to deliver the Express Mail package unless there was some safety concern. As to whether it is legal or not, I have no knowledge on that matter. I wouldn't think it was illegal to catch up to the postal driver to obtain the package as long as you can prove you have a right to the item (it is addressed to you and you have corresponding identification). I'm also not sure how you would know if the carrier actually had the express package in their vehicle, but it wouldn't hurt to ask if you thought they might. Thank you for your questions.

After I put my rent check in the mail, I noticed that I accidentally wrote 362 Box Street rather than 462 Box Street. All of the other information was correct. Will it still be delivered to him or should I cancel the check and resend? Thanks!

Asked by AmandaB almost 11 years ago

Amanda, I can't say for sure what will happen with your rent check that was misaddressed. If the letter carrier delivers both of those addresses on Box St. and is familiar with the names on their route, they may deliver the letter to where it is intended (meaning it will get to your landlord). It's also possible that different letter carriers deliver to those 2 addresses and the letter carrier at 362 Box St. will just deliver it to 362 Box St. or return the check to the sender (you) as "Attempted, Not Known". I would recommend not canceling the check and waiting several days to see if the landlord received the check. Is there a way to contact the landlord and tell them what you did and it's possible they will ask you to resend the check or wait a few days to see if they receive it? I say this also to maybe save you money because putting a stop payment on a check often has a fee associated with it.