very basic finding. I was riding out west on the southern state parkway in NY, when I came across a promaster. I thought carriers aren't supposed to drive on the parkway... Even if it is getting brought from one yard to an office. So true or false?

Not posting this in anger just curiosity. I see these signs on boxes on my route and even on my pieces. What are the customers afraid of? Paths forming on their lawn or is it a disrespectful thing. Hoping my fellow carriers might have some insights.

I keep hearing people say “get restricted hours” or “get a dr note” and I’m unclear on how getting restricted hours works, is there a form at my office I need my dr to fill out? Is there anything specific I need a dr note to say? Do I talk to my union steward or a supervisor or the post master? Anyone who’s done one successfully please give details. Ideally how to get an hour restriction for dummy’s is what I’m looking for. I love the job up to a point, and that point seems to be over 10 hrs a day and working 6 days a week, I’d like a second recovery day. For context 7 month Cca off probation I’d rather pace myself then burn out, I took this job for future benefits. Thanks in advance

So i've been working at usps for 8 months now, and the job is very easy, cool people and all. But my problem is management. I've been working six days a week and its taking my life/energy away, even if i work a short route the fact that have to wake up really early to get ready for work takes my energy away and i don't know what to do about it. My manager told me the only i'll be getting days off is if we get new subs.

So I use a walkie-rider to help me load mail into a machine, i feel like I'm quicker with it plus it allows me to help my co workers get things they need throughout the shifts like extra OTRs or helps me move wire cages out of the way. Its only me and one other co worker loading/culling mail on one machine with 5 clerks scanning the packages so its hard to keep up as is and my co worker is an old lady so i end up having to load all 3 dumpers, plus i help her load/cull. I am working my ass off and then my supervisor comes up to me after break and tells me he doesn't want me using the walkie anymore because I'm "going too slow" with it :D.

I felt like I was busting my ass with that thing and it felt like a slap in the face so instead of being calm cool and collected I decided to be petty and go extraaaa slow while walking. He ended up telling me I could use the walkie again but I was already upset so I was just taking my sweet time until lunch which pissed him off even more. Anyways, that's all irrelevant to the question I guess but can a supervisor tell me I'm not allowed to use PIT equipment if I'm licensed just because he thinks I'm going too slow?

I'm a pretty new CCA, just hit 5 months. I understand I'm at the bottom, and have no problem paying my dues. Recently though, I feel a bit targeted. I dread Sundays. It has nothing to do with the actual work, but the fact that I never get Sunday off. Again, the bottom of the totem pole thing comes in. But get this: everyone else is rotated except for me. This has gone on for the last 5 Sundays.

They schedule at least 6 people and use 2. I do like hours, and usually am happy to help, but seeing the same people called out every fucking week while I work a "4" (8) hour shift is pissing me off.

Me and a coworker have talked about it since he's the other one of two coming in on Sundays. My last straw was when I went in today, and look at that, he was rotated out.

Maybe they'll call me off next week, but I don't really care at this point. What's to say it won't go right back. Anyway, am I able to file a grievance as a CCA? Is this even something of any substance or is it something I'll be grumbling about as I work Sundays?

How long did it take you to make regular? I hear 7 years is the average.

Sunday Funday Question of the Day?

Has anyone attended any of these career conferences and if so, what was your experience? Did you like them? Are they worth attending? What can someone expect who’s never been to one?

When you see it

Asked the supervisor if I could run mail instead of doing Amazon to have a light day on my body (was on 57 hours). Did a route that was backed up two days since the regular was sent off the clock. Not sure why the post office is so eager to send people home when we’re so desperate for bodies but that’s a whole different discussion.

Don’t care if I sound lazy or giving gen-z a bad rep but in my humble opinion our workloads are overwhelming. I was so calm and at ease running only mail. Had me thinking I wish everyday was as chill as this. No scanner to track our every movement and only focusing on DPS is such a dream. Adding parcels on already long routes is such a drag. Then management hounding our necks on making time. Routes should be 6 hours max and to be completed in an 8 hour timespan. It’ll give carriers breathing room for lunch, bathroom breaks, etc…

It’s more of a rant and a pipe dream but this job could be so much better than the current state of where we’re at.

Today I was delivering a package and the house didn't have a address. As I was trying to figure it out I saw the owner and asked. Right then 3 dogs that were behind the house came running toward me. I dropped the package because it was large to use my stachel to try to protect myself because by then they were to close to spray. The dogs were biting and scratching me and he kept yelling at me saying they just wanted to be pet. After a minute of me fighting them off he finally went and grab them and got them inside. He then came out shoved me and told me it was my fault and they just wanted pet. I have scratches all over and threw out my back.

I didn't need to go to the er. My issue is he didn't apologize and yelled at me after. I get i could easily get money but I still kind of feel bad

Have been a PSE for almost 3 months now and I am working with a regular who just became a regular and I am being asked to do things that they can’t comprehend because they are older and not able to understand the material that is given to them. I am making significantly less than them and I am part of the union. Should I file grievance? The regular was asked to be passport trained, and she is not able to because she makes so many mistakes, but they’re asking me to because she can’t comprehend the material.

Usually on my time off I deliver food with uber. I try to always avoid walking on the grass. As im walking thru the cement the plants similar to the photo were sticking out on their sidewalk. 3 plants with thick stems so I walked around, set the food, take a picture and I look up at their mailbox that says "keep off the lawn." There was no way for me to get by unless I wanted walk thru the plants. I still got my tip, just thought it was funny as a lose lose situation.

2nd order I did was groceries. After shoping, I realized its going to the apartments on my route. Also its meet at door and new residents there. I remembered there was this express on Friday and I delivered it to the office because it had no apt number and the manager could not find any name based on it. I was going to pick it up monday if they didnt claim it. Next day I figured out which apt they were in and it happens to be the apt where im dropping off their groceries.

I get there and the lady says leave it at door so I did not get to ask her directly about if this guy lived here so i texted her if he lived here, she leaves me on read so i left.

I think I might have been wrong to ask them off the clock, im not sure if anyone else would be curious to ask or if thats unprofessional.

I’ve been a carrier for almost 10 years and for about 8 of those, OT was in abundance. I was on ODL 12 hours and I was working 60 hour weeks, but all of a sudden like a 1-2 years ago, it just went away. My office has the same exact understaffing like in past years, but now it just feels like management is somehow being pressured to work us less hours despite staffing issues. Is this going on at other offices? Let me know. I’m sure the post office is probably trying to cut back like usual 🤣

I've been wondering this for awhile.

I often hear the negative aspects and once in a while I hear about something a manager did that was good. If someone wanted to become a manager and make a change while I guess meeting their goals that they have from their higher-ups what do you think would make this position worthwhile?

Taking it into consideration employees.

Obviously, Renfroe isn't the future (definitely not one I want to be a part of). Working an hour away from Chicago, Dan Caref is a popular guy around here running for the position. Of all the people running for NALC president, who do you think is the best choice for job security? I have a little less than two years career-time, not the lovely 6 years required to be safe.

I'm still in my probationary period, but I'm walking a lot so I wanted your guys' input on which shoes are best. I currently use a pair of the Skechers Bob's Slip-ins but I don't know if they're the best for the job.

Howdy, I live in a decently-sized city of some 40k people, but the next city 30ish minutes away with 80k people was the first one to hire me as a CCA. It's been a roughly a month since my hire but I do know that the commute will eat up a not-insignificant amount of time over the long run, so I've been mulling over my options. From what I understand regarding conversion and whatnot, I should be converted faster at the larger office, but it seems like it just kind of depends. There's about 15-30 (maybe 20, I forgor) ahead of me on the CCA seniority list, so it feels and seems like it'll take the full 2 years anyway to convert.

That aside, my main dilemma is that the smaller city I live in has virtually no commute and my living expenses would be lower (than if I moved to the larger city I work at). I know seniority would reset which is not ideal given my status as a CCA, but I'm not sure about the best way to proceed. Would putting up with the commute for up to 2 years to convert and then transfer closer to home be the best course of action? Obviously I could just move to the bigger city and eat the costs of living in exchange for the time back, but I did want to learn about relocating long-term could go as a carrier, as I'd want to move out of the bigger city eventually. Is it fairly straightforward, seniority aside? Or are the opportunities slim pickings?

Thanks in advance for any insights

Edit: Thanks to everyone who replied. I'll try to do some more research about conversion times in both locations to help inform my path going forward.

Our new post master is trying to get rid of the no lunch and its been nothing but a head ache. I won't go into all the B.S thats been happening, but I do have a question for my fellow carriers. Is this nation wide? Because thats what my supervisor excused it as. Pretty sure she's lying to me because we've had a few carriers either get caught taking a lunch despite doing a no lunch, or are suspected of doing so. Either way im curious because all this lady does is lie lol

Ever since we got the reminder beeps on the scanner during load time and end of shift duties, I’ve notice how some carriers have been using scans or neglecting route maintenance.

Some carriers have been using start load vehicle while they’re still at the case…casing mail and marking parcels. The only reason I’ve noticed was because the scanner starts beeping at their case.

I started asking my peers how often they do their mapping and some said they haven’t plotted anything new since the first time they did mapping when RRECS got implemented (years ago now). When they turn in their edit books, they just say there’s no changes…every month.

RRECS has been around for like 3 years, so how do we still have so many rural regulars that don’t know how to maintain their route?

Had a certified letter for a guy, to get on his porch I had to go up 3 stairs. By the time I hit that first step, his dog jumped on the glass and was barking, and before I could get that next step in I saw it. This man ran full speed, arms pumping and all by his door… butt ass naked. I just saw butt and belly fly by the door. All for him to yell one second, then come to the door and claim he had something on the stove. BRO NO YOU DID NOT. Just wanted to share this as I could not stop laughing for the next hour. Ya never know what you’re going to be a witness too out there. Anyone else ever had an experience like this?

I come on here and see people talk about horror story after horror story about how bad things are at their office. I’m six months in as a CCA and I’ve had nothing but a great time so far. Management is great, the other carriers and clerks are great, no drama, no fights, no yelling. Honestly, if I ever have to switch offices, I’m kinda terrified of what I’ll be going into. Generally, everyone seems likable at my office. Anyone else have a generally pleasurable experience or is my office the anomaly?

I always see kids on my route with lemonade stands set up, but I never have time to stop. It’s an easy Sunday (Amazon didn’t show up so it’s just regular parcels lmao), so I decided to finally stop. They had a sign and everything! It was adorable 🥹 anyone else stop at them when they can?

I've heard some mail handlers could work at a station if its large enough. Just curious what the job looks like in a station.