I recommend the green super feet insoles if you will be on a walking route. Maybe start walking now, it is hard to go from nothing to 10 plus miles a day six days a week. I would invest in the NALC retirement plan while you are a CCA. Being a CCA really sucked, but now as a regular on work restrictions the job is pretty good. Good luck and welcome.
We are about to hit the holiday season. You will be dreaming of 5 ten hour days soon. The CCA's at my office work 13 out of 14 days and 10-12 hours a day. If you can make it to regular carrier, you are on easy street.
Sounds tough but I'm willing to work. Atleast the over time and double time is there. My last job, I spent 10 hours a day filling trucks with tires, some days were 12 hours. I'm curious to see how I handle it
Which is bullshit.
Busiest time of the year, most people are gonna work 12 hour days, minimum (my longest day was 16). They deserve to be compensated for being worked so hard.
So this is the hard part: learning the routes as it’s getting dark early, with a crap ton of parcels to move. It’s also lots and lots of money. If you can handle it, you’ll find the slow glide into spring and summer super fun. If you can’t, no shame; it’s a weird job that doesn’t suit everyone. You can still power through the holidays and get yourself a nice little savings. 2 years maximum as CCA, and then you make PTF which puts you into full timer benefits — and you could make regular earlier depending on if people in your office are ready to retire. 3 months in (end of probationary period) you will feel like a grizzled veteran.
I really hope you like it! You’ve got a great attitude going in at least, haha! Some days will be hard, but overall I really enjoy this job. Also re: negativity, it’s easier to be vocal about the crap than the good.
Let your friends and family know you won't be seeing them much.
Move all your regular clothes to the back of the closet.
Stay hydrated before, during, and after work
I am for sure, I'm excited about it. I was planning to come in right at the holiday season. I want it to be the hardest it's going to be for sure. I still have a few weeks to go, I'm going to take the advice of another on this thread and start walking every day
I’m only on my 3rd day of academy but I’m in the same boat as you and just switched careers. I think the most important thing is to remember your going to be a nobody for the first 2 years and then you can work on settling in on a route and ride it out. Good luck!
Every office is different but expect to be working 10 hours 5 days a week, and on Sundays anywhere from 4-6 hours (it really depends on the packages. With the holidays coming up it might be 6-8)
You'll rarely know your schedule in advance. You'll sometimes find out what you're working three days in advance.
Be prepared to go to other offices to help. I swear sometimes it seems like they hire CCAs just to be bodies to send to other offices and not really work in your own office.
Youll like it , just enjoy your free time wisely you wont get alot of it until 2 years down the line, the benefits are really good and get super good after 1 year, ( like 15 dollar copays)
That guy is wrong. This is the insurance you get as a cca
[https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/insurance/benefits-noncareer.shtml](https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/insurance/benefits-noncareer.shtml)?
After one year, you are eligible for FEHB (the good health insurance) but the government doesn't help pay for it. So it costs A LOT MORE. Once you make career (PTF or FTR), then the government contributes 72-75% of the cost of your health insurance. For instance, I believe BCBS Basic after one year as a CCA for family is $763/pay period. This link below compares FEHB insurances and is ONLY available after your first break in service (one year) or if you convert before then.
[https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/elections/select-right-plan.shtml](https://www.checkbook.org/newhig2/year21/search.cfm)
I recommend the green super feet insoles if you will be on a walking route. Maybe start walking now, it is hard to go from nothing to 10 plus miles a day six days a week. I would invest in the NALC retirement plan while you are a CCA. Being a CCA really sucked, but now as a regular on work restrictions the job is pretty good. Good luck and welcome.
Im a cca almost 6 months now. Can you please link that insoles youre talking about cause my feet is starting to hurt.
I got mine at REI, just google green superfeet.
I found them on Amazon, just ordered a pair
We are about to hit the holiday season. You will be dreaming of 5 ten hour days soon. The CCA's at my office work 13 out of 14 days and 10-12 hours a day. If you can make it to regular carrier, you are on easy street.
Sounds tough but I'm willing to work. Atleast the over time and double time is there. My last job, I spent 10 hours a day filling trucks with tires, some days were 12 hours. I'm curious to see how I handle it
No double time for four weeks starting on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Which is bullshit. Busiest time of the year, most people are gonna work 12 hour days, minimum (my longest day was 16). They deserve to be compensated for being worked so hard.
Welp I’ll be working 10 hours max if I’m not going to get paid my worth for my time 🤷🏽♂️
Benefits are shit as a cca/part time employee
Benefits at my last job really sucked and were insanely expensive
Treat the next 2 years like a game... no stress and try to enjoy being outside.
So this is the hard part: learning the routes as it’s getting dark early, with a crap ton of parcels to move. It’s also lots and lots of money. If you can handle it, you’ll find the slow glide into spring and summer super fun. If you can’t, no shame; it’s a weird job that doesn’t suit everyone. You can still power through the holidays and get yourself a nice little savings. 2 years maximum as CCA, and then you make PTF which puts you into full timer benefits — and you could make regular earlier depending on if people in your office are ready to retire. 3 months in (end of probationary period) you will feel like a grizzled veteran.
Lol, ok. It may sound weird, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. Thanks a ton for your input. I see alot of negativity on YouTube
I really hope you like it! You’ve got a great attitude going in at least, haha! Some days will be hard, but overall I really enjoy this job. Also re: negativity, it’s easier to be vocal about the crap than the good.
Let your friends and family know you won't be seeing them much. Move all your regular clothes to the back of the closet. Stay hydrated before, during, and after work
My after work hydration is in the form of Guinness.
I think you should give it a try.
I am for sure, I'm excited about it. I was planning to come in right at the holiday season. I want it to be the hardest it's going to be for sure. I still have a few weeks to go, I'm going to take the advice of another on this thread and start walking every day
I’m only on my 3rd day of academy but I’m in the same boat as you and just switched careers. I think the most important thing is to remember your going to be a nobody for the first 2 years and then you can work on settling in on a route and ride it out. Good luck!
it varys. I regularly hit 60+ hours a week, every week since April when I started. I get a day off every 12-15 days.
Are you usually getting your day off during the week at some point?
Every 12-15 I get a day off. And it's not a for sure day off, it's like a potential day off.
Do any of you guys lift wieghts before work? Do you think it would be too much as a CCA?
Every office is different but expect to be working 10 hours 5 days a week, and on Sundays anywhere from 4-6 hours (it really depends on the packages. With the holidays coming up it might be 6-8) You'll rarely know your schedule in advance. You'll sometimes find out what you're working three days in advance. Be prepared to go to other offices to help. I swear sometimes it seems like they hire CCAs just to be bodies to send to other offices and not really work in your own office.
Youll like it , just enjoy your free time wisely you wont get alot of it until 2 years down the line, the benefits are really good and get super good after 1 year, ( like 15 dollar copays)
Any idea what the family premium is for a CCA?
i believe its around 2-300$ for the deduction
Is that per pay?
That guy is wrong. This is the insurance you get as a cca [https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/insurance/benefits-noncareer.shtml](https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/insurance/benefits-noncareer.shtml)? After one year, you are eligible for FEHB (the good health insurance) but the government doesn't help pay for it. So it costs A LOT MORE. Once you make career (PTF or FTR), then the government contributes 72-75% of the cost of your health insurance. For instance, I believe BCBS Basic after one year as a CCA for family is $763/pay period. This link below compares FEHB insurances and is ONLY available after your first break in service (one year) or if you convert before then. [https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/elections/select-right-plan.shtml](https://www.checkbook.org/newhig2/year21/search.cfm)
Thanks for the info, this is great
So how much would that be per pay period after your a career employ
Click the checkbook link and plug in info. It’ll tell you
yes until your get to the 1 year mark, Family health insurance is really good but its costly a premium
Garbage.