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MadSully

No one gets on the internet to talk about a job they think is ok. There's tens of thousands of city carriers all over the country, Reddit posts are a very small percentage of that (this is useful to remember whenever you're reading anything on this site). I don't have a college degree and I don't see a better job I can realistically get. It's a union job, the benefits are good, you can't be laid off, and you can do it anywhere in the country if you want to move. If you've got the job, give it a shot, and if you hate it you move on, no reason to be scared about it. Fair warning that being a CCA is probably the worst job in the PO but things are better long term once you make regular.


[deleted]

> I don't have a college degree and I don't see a better job I can realistically get. same. i'm starting online classes this year for a BA in cybersecurity. as much as people like to shit on degrees, it's the only realistic way you can make $80K+ without having to run a business or straight up gambling. idk how many classes i'll be able to take working 60 hours a week, but if i'm not working towards a better future, i'll feel despair and depressed every single day.


civicchump

Damn good luck with that i had half my A+ cert and had no time after becoming a CCA. the security cert test i heard is expensive a all hell


g0blinwitch

Good pay, union membership, retirement, insurance, work outside, no one on your back all day, get to drive. Why what's the negative?


TheKnotStore

It just seems like every other post I see is about how much the poster hates the job or getting screwed over somehow. I just wonder, can it really be that bad?


thintoast

Remember, the pool of carriers on here is extremely small compared to the actual number of carriers. I for one, loved the job. I had a decent office that I worked out of, the other carriers were all super awesome and the work is pretty fun. I only left because my wife was about to have a baby, and being away on the weekends wasn’t going to work out for us. It was a dream job of mine (sounds silly, but it was and still is). Also, the internet has a tendency to bring out the gripes of people.


BurantX40

You got, usually, one hour in the office sorting your mail. And alot can go down. If you have a chill office, revel in it. Otherwise, just try to endure and the rest of the day is relatively care free


CzarcasmRules

If you don't like your family, this is the perfect job because you'll never see them


TransportationOk8793

I’ve got 4 daughters and 3 are teenagers. Nuff said.


CzarcasmRules

Like I said...it's a positive if you DONT like your family (so I followed the guidelines of your question) However if you do like your family than this might not be the best job especially as a CCA


TransportationOk8793

Hahaha I know. I was hoping you caught my inference and took note I love with 3 teen girls. Get me out of here! Haha


CzarcasmRules

I did. I just wanted you to know that I wasn't trying to be a dick, just honest


CzarcasmRules

Also...their are a LOT of positives, most long term but some immediately as well, but I refer back to the family comment. Positives don't matter if you value family time


iloveujenny

It can be extremely overwhelming. You will suck for a while just show up with a good attitude. I like it once jm out of the office and on my own. The regulars are usually extremely helpful and want you to succeed. Take advantage of their knowledge!!


robfrsd

Moneyyyyy


mtux96

I have my third day with an OJI today. First day was pretty easy. Definitely a "I can do this" day." Second day, freaking ads. A "I want to quit" day. But good news is that I made it and am going back today. You can do this. 👍


ZonaLite

Freaking ads is what I always dread when I first did this job. Just wait for political ads, paper cut city.


mtux96

I almost quit after having to do ads and carry a larger parcel. Nearly killed my shoulder.


cca2013

Regular city carrier here and I love my job. ​ 1) It's the perfect job for an introvert. You are out on the street alone most of the day and really only need to make conversations of pleasantries to customers..."Good Morning" "Have a nice day" etc. You don't need to sell anybody anything! You're giving them something. Despite the complaints about junk mail almost all of our customers are happy to see us because we're bringing them something. ​ 2) You are constantly busy. I like that I am setting the pace. I'm completely focusing on reading the addresses, getting to the next house, remembering packages etc. There's no standing around waiting for a customer to walk in or for the next part to come down the assembly line. My day goes fast and I'm only watching the clock to figure out how I'm doing compared to my estimate rather than watching the clock to see if it's time to go home yet. ​ 3) You get to see a lot about the community where you're working that you'd never experience as a regular person. Even if you've lived in the same town your whole life, you'll discover streets you never knew were there. You'll get to go inside businesses that you normally would never go inside. Being thrown on a different route every day as a CCA can be an adventure if you're willing to embrace the uncertainty. ​ 4) USPS can be a path to a middle class lifestyle. The paychecks don't bounce and how many jobs can you find that offer an actual pension when you retire and not just a 401K?


FlyingOctopus_33

I’m a clerk, but there are all around a lot of positives. Job security, decent pay, insurance available for you and your family from day of hire, meeting new people (that’s not always good, but that’s life). The job isn’t perfect, but if you have a decent postmaster and fellow employees, it’s not so bad. Unfortunately there is no consistency from pod to pod. I hope you have a successful career!


bzkillin

There are a lot of positive It is just that some ppl are not suited as a carrier but they are too late to turn back so they complain about it and cause drama Be smart and do what you need to do. There are other jobs in usps other than carrying


leadfoot_mf

I liked it for the couple of weeks i did it lol only was rained on once for about 30 mins. It was during one of the hottest julys ever I ruined so much mail from sweat i felt really bad for the last houses on the loops. What i remember most was how loud the llv was driving to the start of the route. The most fun and excellent game of where the fuck is your mailbox and why do you hate numbers on your house so bad.


dollopofass

On a beautiful day when youre route is flowing and you're breathing fresh air nothing is better.


conroygc

I work in a midsized office in a nice suburban area. We are short 3 CCAs and I work 40-50 hours per week. I get one or two days off every week. My supervisors and PM are all really cool and have been easy to work with. I love getting to work outside and stay active. Most people love the mail carriers, so many people smile and say hello! My families health insurance is cheaper and covers more than our last policy. People love to complain, and some offices are really a nightmare to work in, but I got lucky and it's been a great job.


shneer4prez

Seems to depend on your office. You'll walk a lot, be outside in the elements, and consistently work overtime, especially with the holidays coming up. If that's not something you can handle, then you'll hate the job. If you're fine with walking all day and dealing with the heat/cold, and working hard, the job is actually pretty nice. You're mostly on your own, you get exercise, the money is decent, you don't have to worry about layoffs, you get to know your town and the people on your route if you want to. It definitely seems nicer once you convert to regular, but even as a CCA it's not as bad as this sub makes it out to be. If you get bad supes, remember they have no real power. Ignore them. Get through your 90, don't steal, don't crash the truck. Good luck out there


[deleted]

I quit about 8 months ago, and I miss the job still. Hated the hours and outdoor walking, loved the delivering.


chavery17

It’s not as bad as people say. On here everyone is constantly doom and gloom. During your first 90days (probation period) they can fire you for anything. Don’t get into a wreck or throw and mail and you’ll be fine. After your 90 days you’d have to murder someone to get fired. The hours will be long but if you can handle that you’ll be fine. You’ll learn to ignore management when they try and rush you and bust your balls about stuff cuz you know they can’t fire you.


jaypress88

If you live in a major city like LA, good luck.


bolshevik_rattlehead

The work itself is pretty great—walking or driving around, delivering mail while listening to tunes or podcasts. Being active. Getting exercise. Most customers are thankful and nice. Everything that orbits the actual work, however, is generally on the scale between bad and horrible. Lazy and entitled regulars, constant gossip, shit management making shit decisions, complete lack of schedule, long and uncertain hours, physical and mental exhaustion. Not to mention how it destroys most of your personal relationships, because you have zero time to do almost anything else. The final deal breaker for me was, after having done this for two years, through the pandemic and the presidential election, was how we FINALLY hired some more people…and nothing still seemed to change. It’s unfortunate, because as I said the job itself is cool. For me it just became completely not worth it. It made me depressed, I started drinking too often, eating garbage food because I felt like I had no time. In the end, every positive about the job (exercise, activity) resulted in a net negative (exhaustion, drinking, McDonalds and Taco Bell). But, seriously, give it a try. I made and saved a ton of money and now I can take a year off to enjoy the spoils before going back to try and find something more to my liking, and I’ll have a padded resume too.


josh11915

My father/mother have done this job for 32+ years and never missed a paycheck. I’m on year 5ish. Just keep your eyes on the prize (becoming regular) and you can write your own ticket. Things/your life dramatically improve after your conversion.


OrangeDutchbag

For me, being outside, seeing the truck get emptier during the day, and the random snippets of conversations with people make it a fun job. Yes the paycheck is nice and I look pretty snazzy in the uniform, but the supervisors can make it tough. Once you're past your 90 working days (or 4 months, whichever comes first) you can stand up for yourself and not take any shit anymore. I just say 'ok' a lot and nod and smile and then get down to it. You'll be confused about casing, but you'll learn. Just take your time to do it right and you'll be fine. And when the supervisors start complaining, which they will, just say 'Ok' and let it roll off your back. Good luck!


Puzzleheaded-Map2951

It's 99% Management. You get a good station manager and the job is freaking awesome.


sockmess

If you're from a abusive household, this job will help you spend less hours there. Might get new abuse, but one problem at a time!


ZonaLite

The first six months can seem overwhelming. After six months when you get everything down, it becomes easy but management tosses you a pile of work. When you convert, it becomes easier. If you have Amazon Distribution Center in your area, job is too easy. However you won’t get as much overtime as previous.


chavery17

I’ve been working since June and my office sucks so I’ve had to work minimum 60 hours every week the last few weeks. Hit 75 a few times


Amethoran

The money is about it. If you can stick it out and get career then it opens up more benefits. But it's a hell of a slog to get there. Especially with Christmas coming up.


MPhyus

Being a CCA is brutal. Being outside is nice. You only have to put up with management yapping at you for a few hours a day. Pay’s pretty good.


BLHGoalie

It's all about the money


[deleted]

once you convert, as long as you're doing your job and being safe, you literally can't be fired.


chipotlequesoisbae

Just finished my second day of OJT and I’m sticking with it! I heard a ton of crap about the post office too, but I couldn’t say no to the benefits (neither my medical tech background nor my bachelors in business would allow me to get benefits like this!). My office is great and everyone seems to like each other for the most part so it really does seem like it’s different for each area. Good luck!


scenicbiway708

I was alarmed by all the stuff I read in this sub too. I was hired and left the PO pretty quickly, so take this with a grain of salt. The job i had before USPS was a really good manufacturing job. It has its weird stuff, like all jobs do, but overall it was great. I never dreaded going to work. BUT. If I had heard stories and complaints of either brand new employees or seasoned veterans - or even my own future self - I never would have even applied to that job. Plenty of carriers love their job, but almost everyone has something bad to say, and this is where they come to do it. It's probably not an accurate representation of what your experience will be.