NationStates Jolt Archive

I had an interview today, and it appears that I might be working at the post office soon. It's not official though, but a good sign is my interview was at 12:30 PM EST (it went great), and I just recieved a call about 20 minutes ago, asking me to stop back today to progress to the next step of paperwork. He also told me that either today or tommorow, I need to get a blood test done (unfortunately, I hate needles).

So, anyone else work at the post office, or for the US government?

The guy in the flat upstairs is a postal worker. One night, he smashed up the furniture.

He is OK now though, he got over her.

The guy in the flat upstairs is a postal worker. One night, he smashed up the furniture.

He is OK now though, he got over her.

His furniture is female?

Welcome to the dark cult that is known as the civil service. We'll enjoy having you as a member!

His furniture is female?
No, he demolished the interior of his flat in a fit of rage over a woman.

Welcome to the dark cult that is known as the civil service. We'll enjoy having you as a member!

I don't have to drink any kool-aid, do I?

No, he demolished the interior of his flat in a fit of rage over a woman.

Hehe, I kind of figured it was something like that. :D

His furniture is female?
Yeah, it tried to leave him.

I work part time as a rural mail carrier. Get used to the fact that nothing is logical and the rules are the rules even if you can do things more efficiently in a different way. Get used to the fact that you may need to break the law in order to follow the rules. But the rules are handed down by God so even if they are totally insane they won't change. Since God's rules are perfect even if you can show mathmatically that there is a better way, math can be wrong but the rules can't. And your supervisor has the rules memorized so even if you present the most logical proposal possible the only thing you are going to get is a memorized and rehersed litany of the rules.

Good luck. Just remember that you have to float and not paddle. Don't try to do anything exceptional it drives the other workers and the supervisors crazy.

Congrats and I hope you get it. I bet they have killer benefits.

I work part time as a rural mail carrier. Get used to the fact that nothing is logical and the rules are the rules even if you can do things more efficiently in a different way. Get used to the fact that you may need to break the law in order to follow the rules. But the rules are handed down by God so even if they are totally insane they won't change. Since God's rules are perfect even if you can show mathmatically that there is a better way, math can be wrong but the rules can't. And your supervisor has the rules memorized so even if you present the most logical proposal possible the only thing you are going to get is a memorized and rehersed litany of the rules.

Good luck. Just remember that you have to float and not paddle. Don't try to do anything exceptional it drives the other workers and the supervisors crazy.

Can you give me an example of how I may have to break the law in order to follow the rules? If it's something like speeding, I can live with that (as long as they don't want me going 75 past an elementary school, or something like that).

Congrats and I hope you get it. I bet they have killer benefits.

The position I'm going for is Rural Carrier Associate. The USPS considers it a non-career position, so there's no benefits. Once I get my own route (when one opens up), I'll get benefits though. It's a pretty good bet that I'm getting the job, though, as they're sending me for a blood test tommorow (it's expensive, and I'm sure they don't waste the time/money to send people to it unless they're going to get hired).

Congrats and I hope you get it. I bet they have killer benefits.Not as good as they used to be--my father-in-law has been a letter carrier for something like 32 years now, and will retire before long, and he loves telling us about the good old days before when they got a pension, etc. He'll be doing well when he retires.

They still get good bennies, largely because they have one of the strongest remaining unions in the US.

Not as good as they used to be--my father-in-law has been a letter carrier for something like 32 years now, and will retire before long, and he loves telling us about the good old days before when they got a pension, etc. He'll be doing well when he retires.

They still get good bennies, largely because they have one of the strongest remaining unions in the US.


Oh....I didnt know they were Union.

Yeah, it tried to leave him.

Good Reason Number 138 to avoid buying Ikea furniture.

Oh....I didnt know they were Union.
The USPS is. It's not always the case for rural carriers, but it's a good, strong union for the regular carriers.

Can you give me an example of how I may have to break the law in order to follow the rules? If it's something like speeding, I can live with that (as long as they don't want me going 75 past an elementary school, or something like that).

Its legal to speed when carrying the mail isnt it? Used to be the postal vehicles trumped all State and local traffic law enforcement.

Its legal to speed when carrying the mail isnt it? Used to be the postal vehicles trumped all State and local traffic law enforcement.

Gosh...can those little vans even go over 35 mph?

I work part time as a rural mail carrier. Get used to the fact that nothing is logical and the rules are the rules even if you can do things more efficiently in a different way. Get used to the fact that you may need to break the law in order to follow the rules. But the rules are handed down by God so even if they are totally insane they won't change. Since God's rules are perfect even if you can show mathmatically that there is a better way, math can be wrong but the rules can't. And your supervisor has the rules memorized so even if you present the most logical proposal possible the only thing you are going to get is a memorized and rehersed litany of the rules.

Good luck. Just remember that you have to float and not paddle. Don't try to do anything exceptional it drives the other workers and the supervisors crazy.

My thoughts EXACTLY.

I was a PTF City Carrier for five years, and was forced out for "medical reasons" (I have Crohn's disease) the WEEK BEFORE I made regular. I could go on about every point made here. Such as- it doesn't matter if you can deliver in half the time if you case your DPS. It is forbidden upon penalty of death. And traffic doesn't matter. Neither does the mail volume. You better be back on time no matter what, even if they made you wait an hour for the express mail before letting you go to the street. I remember there being a nasty accident on the road back to the office, traffic backed up for miles. It was almost 4:30, which means "be back in the office or die horribly". There was no way in hell any of us could make it back in time. What did I see? Three CRV's (aka 'mailman trucks') flying ON the median down the middle of the road. I said what the hell, and did the same. The cops at the accident scene didn't even blink. One even waved. Those of us that made it back on time told the managers there was an accident, but everyone who DIDN'T drive on the median like a bat out of hell got in trouble.

Gosh...can those little vans even go over 35 mph?

The old ones (LLV's) were pretty shitty, had 4 cylinders, etc. The newer ones (CRV's) have a straight 6, and can haul ASS. As for the legality of speeding/ driving on the median to avoid accident traffic...it is still illegal. Just like how it is technically illegal for a cop to speed without his lights on, even if he is discreetly pursuing a suspect. A cop can technically give you a ticket, and it has happened- but very rarely. 99% of the time mail vehicles are treated like an FBI vehicle and are let slide.

In accidents, you are treated differently though- the cop CANNOT ask you for your insurance or anything- you have a booklet of info you hand over in case of an accident and the PO takes care of everything.

As for unions, there are several:
The rural carriers have a union, but a pretty wimpy one. There is the APWU for mail sorters, clerks, etc, and the NALC for City Carriers- which is regarded as the second most powerful union in the country behind the teamsters.

*eyes narrow* Hey, wait a minute....


...didn't you just get a gun?

:eek:

*eyes narrow* Hey, wait a minute....


...didn't you just get a gun?

:eek:


Hehe, I knew someone would go there. Yes, I did just get a firearm. As I said when I posted the thread about that, it's to keep those unruly targets from taking over the world.

Thats phunny.

I had an interview today, and it appears that I might be working at the post office soon. It's not official though, but a good sign is my interview was at 12:30 PM EST (it went great), and I just recieved a call about 20 minutes ago, asking me to stop back today to progress to the next step of paperwork. He also told me that either today or tommorow, I need to get a blood test done (unfortunately, I hate needles).

So, anyone else work at the post office, or for the US government?


Ohh I once done some xmas work as a postie, does that count? Ohh and it was in London, Uk.

Well, I won't admit to anything but I can tell you what the formula is for rural carriers.

The carrier is required to AVERAGE 30 mph plus you get 20 sec/box. Now most boxes don't take 20 sec but if you have an insured, certified, registered or just a big box that has to go to the door that could take 5 min. so the 20 sec averages out. BUT in real rural areas there are gravel roads with a 35 mph speed limit. Now if there is a mathmatician here figure this out----Drive a 35 mph gravel road---Make an average of 3 stops---(plus stop signs, turn arounds, corners, etc)---and AVERAGE 30 mph. The rule handed down by God directly to the wheels at the USPS says it can be done so there is no appeal or arguement--It CAN be done. Actually I've done it a couple times each week for 6 years as a sub.

The position I'm going for is Rural Carrier Associate. The USPS considers it a non-career position, so there's no benefits. Once I get my own route (when one opens up), I'll get benefits though. It's a pretty good bet that I'm getting the job, though, as they're sending me for a blood test tommorow (it's expensive, and I'm sure they don't waste the time/money to send people to it unless they're going to get hired).
Here's the deal. When you go through training pay very close attention to everything they tell you. They will tell you all of the ways to save time. For instance they will say "Don't finger the mail as you drive" Drop all the "Don'ts" and you will make it on time. I noticed you are on the East Coast and the rule is once a rural route always a rural route. Some "rural routes" go less than 5 miles and have 1000 boxes. I go 100 miles (85 gravel) and have 340 boxes. If you are in a heavily settled area you have a chance by stealing time from the 20 sec per box. Of course that means you won't be giving your customers the service they should get--OH WELL. Don't ever come in early or late. When you get to know your route you have "check" points so you can pace yourself. I know where I'm to be at each hour so I can speed up or slow down. My post master can't believe that it matters not if I leave at 9:45 or 10:45 I walk in the door at 4:00 straight up.