topic Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job? in Community Chat

Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

------ — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:49:16 GMT

I have problems with mis-delivered mail. I'm always getting my neighbor's mail and they are getting mine. We've told the mail carrier numerous times and he still can't get it right. How hard can it be to deliver mail to the correct addresses? The house numbers are right next to the mailboxes. I'm trying hard not being sarcastic but excluding aggressive dogs how hard is it to be a mail carrier and do the job right? Am I missing something that's a part of their job description and that I'm not aware of that makes their job exceedingly difficult and makes it impossible to sort and distribute the mail properly?

*sigh*

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

Marianne1 — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:54:24 GMT

Well, my friend has been a mail carrier (on foot, winter, summer, rain, heavy stuff) for 20 something years.

He finally got a motor route-- but, that is also interesting around here in the winter.

So, they may not all be careful with getting all the mail correct, but I know my friend works very hard. I would imagine he is careful too, knowing him--but since I am not with him I can't say for certain.

My mail woman is great.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:56:05 GMT

Do they sort the mail for their route or is it sorted for them?

We don't have too much of a problem getting mixed up mail and I have to say I am very, very surprised. My mail carrier walks our entire development talking on his cell phone.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

ShowMe — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:57:37 GMT

Heck, I live in an apartment complex.....4 apartments per unit.....and we each have a mailbox in the front hall......and yet, the mail person refuses to separate the throwaways and just throws them on the floor. Someone has to pick them up.

Also, we do have a vacant apartment on the first floor, and there is no name on the mailbox, and yet I noticed there is mail in that mailbox.......

They don't always pay attention to their jobs. I have even heard the mail person talking on a cell phone numerous times while out in the hall. Guess that is what keeps him/her going during the day.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

------ — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:59:13 GMT

You're lucky you have a great mail carrier.

Mine is never without his cell phone to his ear. He obviously isn't paying attention to what he's doing

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

Allegheny — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:01:00 GMT

To me it seems to be centered on the work ethic of each individual. Some people will do just enough to not get fired and others go above and beyond.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

------ — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:02:16 GMT

On 2/18/2014 ShowMe said:
Heck, I live in an apartment complex.....4 apartments per unit.....and we each have a mailbox in the front hall......and yet, the mail person refuses to separate the throwaways and just throws them on the floor. Someone has to pick them up.

Also, we do have a vacant apartment on the first floor, and there is no name on the mailbox, and yet I noticed there is mail in that mailbox.......

They don't always pay attention to their jobs. I have even heard the mail person talking on a cell phone numerous times while out in the hall. Guess that is what keeps him/her going during the day.

Must be an epidemic

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

Kachina624 — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:02:16 GMT

As with workers in any industry, some are more efficient and accurate than others. I'm lucky to have a good one except on Saturday.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

dooBdoo — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:02:53 GMT

Hi, Gato! I'm lucky -- we've had the same letter carrier for years and she does a wonderful job.

When mail gets mixed up, I think part of it comes from the fact that they sort and organize it at the post office before going out to deliver. The carrier might be sorting their own, but in some cases someone else does the sorting.

Also, it's my understanding they have fairly strict policies about when they must return from the route, so they have to work quickly. In our case, some weird zoning caused a small portion of our neighborhood to be included in a route that's not even close to us. So, the carrier has to cover her main territory, cross over an area with a different zip code, and come to us for our deliveries. This tells me it can vary a lot from one route to another, the challenges they face.

Then, you add the fact that each person is different in their work ethic... I think it's not an easy job, some do it well, some do not.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

millieshops — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:03:51 GMT

Interesting question - I can see that my mail carrier just arrived. On my street there are about 75 mailboxes for her to sort the mail into. Then there are maybe 10 other streets in this development and 2 of them are larger than mine. Right now, the development is the last stop for her on her daily rounds, so to finish for the day, she could be working another 2 hours into the darkness. Just last week one of the neighbors told me she'd been told to quit at 5 and just deliver the leftover mail the following day. I can't see she'd ever really catch up.

The job itself wouldn't have to be terribly difficult, but as the PO sinks further and further into debt and the carriers routes become larger and larger, I suspect the job is harder than I think it is.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

Marianne1 — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:05:26 GMT

Before my current wonderful mail person, I had this guy who would run into the trash cans at the curb--just push them out of the way with his truck.

Oh, and the mail always smelled like cigarette smoke-- I would have to air it out.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

------ — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:10:58 GMT

On 2/18/2014 dooBdoo said:
Hi, Gato! I'm lucky -- we've had the same letter carrier for years and she does a wonderful job.

When mail gets mixed up, I think part of it comes from the fact that they sort and organize it at the post office before going out to deliver. The carrier might be sorting their own, but in some cases someone else does the sorting.

Also, it's my understanding they have fairly strict policies about when they must return from the route, so they have to work quickly. In our case, some weird zoning caused a small portion of our neighborhood to be included in a route that's not even close to us. So, the carrier has to cover her main territory, cross over an area with a different zip code, and come to us for our deliveries. This tells me it can vary a lot from one route to another, the challenges they face.

Then, you add the fact that each person is different in their work ethic... I think it's not an easy job, some do it well, some do not.

Hi dooBs! It would make sense that they have to be done by a certain time. I agree about the differences in work ethic. It annoys me that my carrier is on his phone all of the time. How can he focus if he's constantly jabbering

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

nunya — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:12:57 GMT

I like my mailman. He helped me push my elderly neighbor who was stuck in her flat driveway. He will also get out of his truck and take her mail to her door if the weather is bad.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

foundinlv — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:15:26 GMT

On 2/18/2014 ------ said:
I have problems with mis-delivered mail. I'm always getting my neighbor's mail and they are getting mine. We've told the mail carrier numerous times and he still can't get it right. How hard can it be to deliver mail to the correct addresses? The house numbers are right next to the mailboxes. I'm trying hard not being sarcastic but excluding aggressive dogs how hard is it to be a mail carrier and do the job right? Am I missing something that's a part of their job description and that I'm not aware of that makes their job exceedingly difficult and makes it impossible to sort and distribute the mail properly?

*sigh*

Gato....go to the main post office where you live and ask how to get in touch with the Consumer Affairs Dept. Out here they are physically located in the main post office but I obtained their phone number so I just call...it's great not having to bother with an 800 number or calling the supervisor at the local p.o. where the carrier originates. They have helped numerous times acting as intermediary. When you call enough times and they know you by name.....it's a good alliance.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

straykatz — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:19:20 GMT

I don't think being a mail carrier is an easy job....as for carrier's talking on their phones while delivering mail...what about the millions of others yakking on phones duirng work hours....if you were out in the business world, especially in corporate America you would see how much time is spent on personal calls during the course of the day.....people are glued to their phones....and when they aren't talking they are texting.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

NoelSeven — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:21:27 GMT

On 2/18/2014 ShowMe said:
Heck, I live in an apartment complex.....4 apartments per unit.....and we each have a mailbox in the front hall......and yet, the mail person refuses to separate the throwaways and just throws them on the floor. Someone has to pick them up.

Also, we do have a vacant apartment on the first floor, and there is no name on the mailbox, and yet I noticed there is mail in that mailbox.......

They don't always pay attention to their jobs. I have even heard the mail person talking on a cell phone numerous times while out in the hall. Guess that is what keeps him/her going during the day.

They? I don't think one can generalize from their mail carrier to all mail carriers.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

------ — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:23:09 GMT

On 2/18/2014 ~foundinlv~ said:
On 2/18/2014 ------ said:
I have problems with mis-delivered mail. I'm always getting my neighbor's mail and they are getting mine. We've told the mail carrier numerous times and he still can't get it right. How hard can it be to deliver mail to the correct addresses? The house numbers are right next to the mailboxes. I'm trying hard not being sarcastic but excluding aggressive dogs how hard is it to be a mail carrier and do the job right? Am I missing something that's a part of their job description and that I'm not aware of that makes their job exceedingly difficult and makes it impossible to sort and distribute the mail properly?

*sigh*

Gato....go to the main post office where you live and ask how to get in touch with the Consumer Affairs Dept. Out here they are physically located in the main post office but I obtained their phone number so I just call...it's great not having to bother with an 800 number or calling the supervisor at the local p.o. where the carrier originates. They have helped numerous times acting as intermediary. When you call enough times and they know you by name.....it's a good alliance.

Hey, thanks found! I will do that. Mail carriers in San Diego make pretty good money (starting is $21/hr up to $70,000+/year). It would be nice to see my mail carrier earn that salary.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

foundinlv — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:24:57 GMT

On 2/18/2014 straykatz said:
I don't think being a mail carrier is an easy job....as for carrier's talking on their phones while delivering mail...what about the millions of others yakking on phones duirng work hours....if you were out in the business world, especially in corporate America you would see how much time is spent on personal calls during the course of the day.....people are glued to their phones....and when they aren't talking they are texting.

If someone can function and do their job correctly while on the phone, I have no problem with it. But, when mistakes are constantly made and it is because of that reason then obviously they are unable to multi task and it should not be allowed.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

------ — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:26:52 GMT

On 2/18/2014 Marianne is complicated said:
Before my current wonderful mail person, I had this guy who would run into the trash cans at the curb--just push them out of the way with his truck.

Oh, and the mail always smelled like cigarette smoke-- I would have to air it out.

That would be like delivering used ashtrays to your home. I wouldn't like that at all.

Re: Do mail carriers have a difficult job?

NoelSeven — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:27:52 GMT

We love our mail guy, and we're lucky to have had him for years.

In the morning he delivers packages in his little PO truck, gets out of it and takes them up stairs to his people.

In the afternoon he walks his route, carrying a heavy bag. He almost always climbs the stairs to hand deliver the mail in person. He only puts it in the mail slots when it's just junk mail.

He is the sweetest man and watches out for us.

Does he work hard? He most certainly does.