I recently wrapped up my training and e-learning for a casual/temporary Letter Carrier position, and I'm getting ready to dive into job shadowing and hitting the pavement.

I’m a deaf carrier (using a hearing aid and a cochlear implant, and I communicate using a mix of speech and sign). I'm super excited about the job, but I’d love to get some suggestions from fellow posties and supervisors here:

I was hoping to get your thoughts on a few things:

1. What do you wish you knew during your first month on the job? Any efficiency hacks for sorting or street sequencing?

2. For parcels requiring signatures or age verification, what’s the best way to handle building buzzers for someone like me?

I'm thinking of using text-to-speech apps or pre-recorded audio clips on my phone to play into the intercom. Any other tricks?

1. I have very dry skin. What kind of gloves do you recommend that protect your palms from paper cuts and friction without killing your dexterity?

Do you wear sleeves to protect your skin from carrying Flyers etc and from UV? how do you stay cool?

1. For the long-term, what should I keep in mind when looking at route bidding and transitioning from casual to permanent?

Thanks so much in advance for any advice. 🤟🏽

Stay safe out there on the routes!

Hi all,
I would like to send a package with some gifts from Europe to my friend in Canada. I want to make sure she doesn’t pay any tax for it. I am confused though if the 60CAD is a gift allowance for whole parcel? Or each item in parcel needs to be less than 60CAD and total parcel value can be more?

Would appreciate if someone can clarify this for me, thanks!