Mail carrier might be hardest job physically , but it`s not the hardest to deal with mentally. Those of us that work inside the mail processing centers have lame brained supervisors breathing down their necks for 8 hours a day. But every job has its good and bad points. A good paying job will make you put up with a lot. But one thing I hated about the mail carriers position is split days off. I doubt if they have changed that, I have been retired a while. But I sure needed my two days off back to back.
knightd12 , I recently took my 473 exam, and scored 79.5%... I hope I can get an interview & be hired with that score. I know I passed, however many people are getting higher scores, like in the 80s because it is so competitive. I heard they will hire the better score people first. Hope i make it toll the end. Would love the opportunity.
Letter carriers are the backbone of the USPS. They face the public every single day and solve problems immediately. As a carrier don’t let management push or intimidate you...they can’t fire you for doing your job. I speak from experience with close to 30 years of carrying the mail with 10 of those years as a union shop steward. DON’T LET MANAGEMENT PUSH YOU INTO BEING A RUNNER.
Man! This is real talk. I just had my shadow day today. I walked away with a whole new mindset. I have family that have worked in the postal service and I feel like they sugar coated the experience. I'm ready for the challenge and proud to be apart of the family. Thank you for the tips and advice. Solid!
this video was so informative that it didn't even feel 28 mins long. I was like it's over already. you're blessed with the ability to keep the subject engaging bro.
Tiffany Griffin Im sorry to say but its starting to wear me down. I have called in a few times because of being on a walking route and collections everyday. Then Sundays we deliver Amazon and 1st class packages. Sometimes we work 10 days straight. They changed the routes last year and made them longer so a lot of carriers have been calling in. Not to mention 2 cca that got hired with me resigned. They just pile too much work on you and still expect you to be back by 6 or 7pm. Im dealing with knee issues from climbing stairs and walking through bad sidewalks etc and also carpal tunnel on my left hand which is my mail carrying hand. I served 20 years in the Army however this job is more of a demand than the Army was because they dont always follow regulation.
Torri Coco Wow. Thanks so much for the response. I have high hopes, but have seen quite a few negative reviews. Thank you for sharing. I will remain optimistic... One other question. Usually, I never have issues with work days. However, I have a prior engagement already set that's over a weekend. Has it been your experience that they will honor it, or should I count it a loss?
Tiffany Griffin Make sure you mention it ASAP. They cant make any promises because the Regular carriers have priority and we are their relief. Keep that positive attitude and always be safe. This job is serious. Lots of driving, dogs, supervisors possibly breathing doown your neck and maybe even following you to observe your performance. The vehicles are equipped with gps so the know where you are most of the time. The scanners also take pics when you scan a package.
Much props to you for taking the time out to shoot this video and upload it for new comers. I started at a T.E then transition to CCA and now I’m a regular. Hard work pays off but don’t let managers abuse you with overtime your shop Stewart is there for help. Only gripe I have working for the office is the wait time for a transfer to another state. I wish you all the best and god bless you all.
Been a CCA for 5-6 months in Austin TX and I’ve had enough lol. Inept management and hectic and insecure work hours have really taken a toll on my mental being. Best way to describe work at the post office as a mail carrier is, the work isn’t hard they make working there hard. God bless the people who stick with it.
Sounds like EMS jobs in a private ambulance company. Did that for 17yrs, no benefits, no 401k, no health insurance, and illegally docked hours... EMTs usually work 12-16 hrs per shift.... I used to do that every 6 days and get paid minimum.... I'm sure people have it worse than you. At least you have a union, benefits, collective bargaining, etc. EMTs in most cases in southern California have nothing.
Johnson Johnson Hang in there. At least for your 90 days. Just dont beat yourself up and take it one day at a time. Every post office is different. Im in a large station. We have over 80 carriers.
You explained every point as accurately as anyone can. Going on my 2nd year. It's stressful at time especially the expected time you should be back into the office and having to work on Sundays. But the pay is good and when you get an off day enjoy it with a little rest involved. Goid luck to all and eat breakfast! Trust me, you'll work better compared to you not eating any. Also show up on time, mind your business, listen and learn, CYA (cover your a××). Ask questions if need be no matter how nervous you may be. Hydrate all day long, wear some good affordable shoes with cushions in them (Dr. School's; etc) every day is not easy, but every day is not hard neither. Bring rain gear daily idc how sunny it is out because the weather can and will change without warning. Be prepared! Work hard, learn, be aware of hazards, look out for dogs, ASK QUESTIONS, and try and remember streets and lines of travel.
Well done. I am about to call tomorrow and discuss my start date... As I am currently employed at a job for 11yrs and am about to drop the bomb on them.. BUT we are all replaceable and Im sure they will get along fine without me.. NICE video and thanks for dedicating 28:05 mins of your life making it to train us for an experience of a lifetime.
Been a mailman for 16 years in st.louis....I appreciate this video...It is definitely a challenging job..I always try and encourage the cca's its super tough ...Take care of your selves out there....God Bless
I was a CCA for 2yrs and I hated every minute of being a mail carrier. I hated being in the rain, sleet, snow, and storms. I had to do it bc it was the only job that was hiring at the time and their pay was average but it was the best that I could find at the time. I've worked in all lines of work. I've been a salesman, debt collector, and a mortgage loan processor but I couldn't find a job at the time so I took the job as a CCA not knowing what I was getting myself into. Plus, I started out in a post office nearly 40 mins away from my home and it was a drag driving up that far but as soon as I passed my 90 days I requested a transfer for a post office that was less than 5 minutes away not knowing I would be put on a route that is 9.9 miles of walking/day. I lost over 40lbs and I was dead tired when I got home. The pay was around $18 and to some that's a lot of money but I have had so much experience making more than that that when I took the job I did it bc of my family. I had my own personal reason's to put up with that shit. It was like being in the military, and I think I have PTSD bc I can not forget how much I was mistreated and how hard I worked for that small amount of money. I would never want to ever get back into being a mail man ever! I am back in the mortgage industry and I'm getting paid almost $10k more than I was making at the post office. Yes, it's still a stressful job but I don't have to deal with the weather. I didn't have to carry around a bucket of water just to keep myself hydrated and enough food in my system to pull through the shift. I hated every part of being a postal employee.
I quit my first official day. It was beyond hot that day and the person I was working with didn't want me to carry water. And it seemed like she was working past lunch..I quit .This is 2018 and people are getting door to door mail delivery. There should be more stand alone mail boxes.
You mention PTSD, I still have nightmares delivering mail. It's like trying to run from the boogie man and you can't run fast enough. Or casing mail and mail is endless and the pile is getting higher and higher. Or supervisors constantly harassing you to get out the door. Or dogs chasing you on the route. Or getting lost in a park and loop. Or trying to find a parcel because a piece of mail was turned for that house and can't find it.
Interesting review. I live in South FL so I wouldn't have to worry about the cold, and I love being outside and alone. This job sounds honest, I'll probably look into it in the near future. Thank you for your insights.
Why are you worn out as a regular? I’m confused I thought that as a regular you have your own route and do the same one everyday and it’s easy breezy? Am I wrong ?
Im a roofer, sign me up. Try being on a black rubber roof in 100 degree heat while doing heavy lifting, breathing in debris, getting cut and bruised everyday while the drug addicted theives you work with laugh about it.
Lol its not a comp dude I spent 8 years in the Army as an infantryman got out spent time as a brakeman in a railyard worked as a towertech try climbing 300+ ft and now work as a cca every job has a difficulty to it get over yourself
Wise words ! Delivered mail in Toronto Ontario Canada for 22 years, from -44 Celsius with the windchill to +44 Celsius with the humidex, out of my 32 years at the Post Office.
Always that one like in the railroad. I hate it, it sucks, I can't stand it, worst job everrrr. But been there 40 years and never quits or finds another job. Get real. You hate it then quit. But I know deep down you complain and won't and secretly love it
XxSEETH3RxX when your at a job and your as old as I am and are invested already and built a somewhat pension plan you think you can just walk away from all that and start over? Yeah job sucks but at my age to start all over again? When do you expect me to retire at 90? Not worth it. Just gotta gut it out and if I quit where are the jobs today? China?
It’s not “walking”, it’s hiking with weight. Good job, but physically challenging. I’m currently a CCA and I know longer have to go the gym for cardio.
Thanks for this vid brother not a lot of people knows what goes behind the scenes and thank you for your kind words i have been a cca for 2 and a half years trying to convert to a regular hope is soon keep the vids man good luck in everything you do
I have no G.E.D. or High School Diploma. 47 years old but they offered me CCA position. Will this be a problem when i want to make career with USPS? Thank you.
Everyone jumps at the chance to work for the USPS because all they ever heard was how great the pay and benefits are. Within a week they find out that working for the USPS, regardless of your job, is actual work and the type of work that is structured, regimented and measured very closely. I think people assume clerks just stand at the window sell stamps to people and carriers just stroll around their routes casually and talk to people. Then they find out their perception couldn't have been more wrong. Anyone who has ever worked for the USPS as a CCA, PSE or Career employee who has worked out of an office with more than 10 routes and tells me they like their job and it is easy, I know they are lying. The pay isn't all that great unless you like to work unscheduled overtime and like working more than 50 hours a week. The days off are horrible, very seldom do you get two days off in a row, everything is scheduled on a split day-off schedule unless you are ultra high in seniority or have a plethora of paid time off accumulated so you can use it in conjunction with your day off. The hours are awful, hardly anyone works a 7a-3p type of shift. Day shift usually starts at 4:00a for indoor type jobs. Carriers work a less crazy schedule but when they get off work is dependent on weather, running short handed and parcel volume. On a regular basis I saw carriers clock in at 7:00a but not get back to the office until 5:30p, sometimes later. CCA's and PSE's are abused to no end. One week they you may not get scheduled for more than 10 hours total, the next week you might work 50 hours. Amazon Sundays can take anywhere from 2 hours to 5 hours. No day is ever the same, it is the same process, but never the same. Meaning, you never know what the daily volume is going to be, so every morning was either going to fairly stable or you're coming in to a nasty surprise as far as parcel volume goes. I broke down Saturday morning parcels at a higher volume than some Monday morning breakdowns. I'm just blabber on now but my point is before anyone jumps at a USPS job, they better have a long honest conversation with a tenured experienced employee who will speak the truth and do not listen to what the post master or the orientation people say.
Shop stewards are no good period because I'm under health issues that was forced finished the mail in 10 hours with no helper (lack of workers). Several time I requested to shops steward limited in 8 hours with already worn my life out and they don't care anymore.
Thanks for this video brother, do you have any advice on casing mail? How hard is the mental part like putting the mail together before route how to figure out your route etc.
The waiting list is based on your score, & it’s @ your office, like say 3 ppl came in @ the same time as you, 1 made a 80, the other one made a 75 & you made an 82 well you are number 1 ccas then the other two are behind u based on your score, so scores are very important honestly.
Thanks for this video, gives me some realistic expectations and I can anticipate at least some stuff. Other videos I've seen about this topic are not articulated as well 🤙 I'm currently an assistant manager in retail and it's really mentally stressful. I'm about to do my fingerprints and driving test. I'm really looking for a job that I can just task and not have to force people to buy clothes, I feel like my soul is being scraped out of the bottom of a barrel (not to be dramatic or anything lol). I figure the first couple of months I'll be conditioning my body to the physical strain. My dad was a carrier for 35 years, says its an easy job if you can hold up to the physical challenges, including extreme weather. Thanks again.
Hello, do you think RCA would be a better option for someone who is still in school(college) working towards a degree and isn’t looking to make a career out of this?
Do you know how long that I would have to have my driver's license to be a mail carrier? As soon as I get my driver's license, I will take the 473 exam. Please correct me if I am wrong I think they would take me for an indoor position even though I will be a brand-new driver.
Nice video dawg. I begin training at my station on Monday (today is Thursday), I’m at the academy right now and the breakfast thing is HUUUUGE.. i wake up an hour and change early to make Eggs and bacon and have some juice then coffee a hour or two later and I’m in training! I can’t wait to actually work. Keep up the grind and do ya thing blessings
Why do they mess the mail up sooooo bad? I do have sympathy for every mail carrier we've had but our mail is routinely delivered to neighbors and we get their mail :( I can't have anything of importance mailed :( :(
its simply a out dated system that the post office needs to fix, there is to much room for error when the carrier is over stressed mentally and physically.
If your address falls on what they call an auxiliary route you may not have a regular mail carrier and they just put a rotating set of carriers to deliver the mail which can result in errors and the mail is sometimes missorted.
yes but not like window clerk, if your a CCA and your responsible for a route you may have to organize the mail and pack the truck, but if your new to the route there should be someone to guide you as you do it but once you've done it enough you should be able to handle the whole thing on your own.
im an rca and i can tell u what this man says is 100% true. im on my 2nd week and its definitely a hard job very hard. ive broken down a few times becuz i feel like i cant do it. im trying to push thru and just hope they dont fire me cuz im so slow right now.
Right now I’m a temporary working for 360 days at a national distribution plant. I’m considered a mail handler. I had some interest in being a carrier and pse as well, what do you think the best route is? I feel like I should keep my ass at the plant as I’m lucky to be by one and they are always underhanded and give out overtime, however being a carrier really interests me.
yes after going to the same area or route long enough you will learn the area maybe better than your own neighborhood sometimes lol , its all apart of the job experience.
Been a carrier since 2011 was a re and cca easiest job I have ever had on the ot list since I made regular in 2013 and by far the easiest job I have ever had
Steve Smalls then you work for a cake office. At my office there is no time for 10 min breaks and half of the routes r in shady areas. It’s not an easy job, not even close.
Hey man great information I’m A Cca as well all u say is authentic I knew what I want to do with the company upon hire I want a position in Human Resources what do I do ?
Hey could u tells us more about DPS flag. I mean everything cause not all office goes into details about it as a new cca what do we need to know to better understand the flag thanks!
Great video I am going through My OJT now I’m a little shaky I’ve done My own relays and I had no problems with delivery it’s sorting casing and loading that I’m panicked about the most but I appreciate all the advice 💪🏻
Why you stoped working in post office bro? I could see you become Uber driver later on, i am doing oposite from NYC Uber Lyft driver i wanna go to posto office
its really hard to say honestly , because to each their own when it comes to comfort , i would recommend trying out a couple sneakers from sports stores, but you ideally want to get something that you can walk in all day. And you also will need more than one pair depending of the weather and because walking so much the sneakers only last about 6 months if that .
RichFlashBacks Thank you sir! The fools at work wont take notes on me not rockin the black leather orthopedic joints? Will me not rockin the black leather shoes keep me from making "regular" status in a shorter time since I chose to wear my Timberland work shoes with the steel toe?
i dont think it will stop you from making regular but tims are way to heavy for walking in lols, i would stay keep the tims for a snowy day and get some jogging sneakers you can walk all day in for more comfort.
RichFlashBacks They are the Timberland Running shoe version. Not the heavy boots. They look more like sketchers but are steel toe. They are walking/running shoes.
oh okay that should be fine then, i know postmasters can be picky about the color of the shoes and it being leather but as long as your doing your job well and you dont get hurt on the job while wearing those shoes you should be fine. If you get hurt on the job while not wearing their recommended shoes they can put all the blame on you for not listening. Just keep that as a note just incase
Hey thanks for reply me so fast, my questions is I took my test one this I’m afraid is I’m not going to get 40hrs. What was the hours and time u was getting when u 1st started work as cca? Again thanks!
I’m glad I found this. I live in a predominantly black city and my plan was ABSOLUTELY keep my head down and stay outta BS. Somehow I have to manage the gossip crap, and people I’d generally would steer clear of.....smh
Considering applying. I see a lot of negative experiences out there - bullying by management, physical wear, and unreliable hours and work life balance. To me, that sounds like any other retail job, particular in stock or pick 'n pack departments. Does that seem about right to you?
Apply and see for yourself. Everyone is different and have their story. Some like to get paid while exercising and loosing weight on the job, some don't. Some like the money and overtime, some don't. Some don't have a family to go home to, some do. You won't know until you walk in their shoes. So go for it. I for one love it. I love delivering mail. I love to combat management. I keep them on their toes. Managers work for me, not the other way around. If they don't like how I deliver mail, then they can deliver it or have someone else deliver it. That's where the Union steps in and I'll get paid for doing nothing. When management violates the contract, then carriers get extra money.
Lmfao... Right? And lower pay...nothing can be worse than the last job I had. Nothing. Still Lmfao... I have worked hard laborious jobs my entire life. My last job was extreme sexual verbal abuse and the cherry on top... Dangerous af... I refuse to lose fingers or limbs for any pay... No job is worth what i just went thru. So usps? Easy peasy. Also.. My dad was marine corps brigg guard... Im used to verbal harassment with threats on top. 49 years of that... And I went thru that for free. Lmfao... I know how to take years of abuse. Now pay me for it...? High pay? Fucking...deal. 🤣🤣🤣 piece of damn cake.
you can use gps but believe me it doesnt help much , if its your home office you will just have to learn the area and the loop points. its comes easy over time
Expect to not be off for weeks. Management doesn't give a shit either. As a CCA, you'll be expected to carry a whole route and help loads and be back before 6. It's bullshit.
Wow, you gave more information in this video than they gave me in my interview and Orientation. I just resigned because they were sending me an hour away from home for 2 weeks and NEVER disclosed that to me.
