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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2010 > March > 11 > Entry
A letter from a rural mail carrier…
I wrote a post last week that asked readers how they feel about the US Postal Service. There were some interesting responses. To read the original thread click HERE:
Then read this recent comment from someone who actually works for the post office. You might find it informative.
“I just wandered onto this website and have been reading some of the ridiculous comments made by some really misinformed people. As a 16 year postal employee, I would like to comment on a few things from experience.
First of all, TRS, you don’t subsidize the USPS. They have been self-sustaining for more than 35 years. You pay for your postage and that in turn pays for the services we provide. Check your facts before you write, your tax dollars do not support the USPS.
For all the people who had one problem with a package or got a piece of someone elses mail: if you had any idea of the amount of mail and parcels that are handled every day, you would be amazed that you only had a problem with ONE item. Why is it that ultra sensitive and oh so “perfect” people don’t allow one error before throwing the baby out with the bath water?
“I got a piece of the neighbor’s mail so we need to shut the postal service down!” People, except Vick, have no clue what the process is like to get your mail where it needs to go. Go ahead and go with UPS or FedEx. It is only a matter of time until they mess up a parcel for you and then you will have to bash them too. Not to mention there prices are outrageous and try as you may, you will never get them to deliver your letter mail.
Then there is the small problem of the approximately 800,000 people employed by the USPS. What kind of impact do you think shutting us down or privatizing would do to them and their families? If you want to do some research, see how Japan is liking life with their postal service in the private sector now. Oh, and see how much it costs them to send a first class letter.
We still have the cheapest postage rates in the WORLD. If we go private, there will be independant businesses with competing stamp prices and just see what kind of service you get when they pay the employees $9.00 per hour to do what we do now, especially in bad weather. We work in snowstorms, ice storms, thunderstorms, you name it, they do not let us off for weather unless it is paralyzing to the entire area.
I need to say kudos to you, ‘downsized’. All postal employees everywhere would appreciate your kind comments. Thank you for noticing the effort we put in to get your mail to you. I wish more people could see first hand what we dedicate ourselves to do for our customers. I go above and beyond what I am required to do for my customers every week and I’m sorry but I just get tired of that handful of people who whine about one piece of mail among the thousands of pieces we sort daily that gets delivered incorrectly or lost.”
1Rural Carrier
How do you feel about US Postal Service now?
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: what do you think?
Comments
By Sue
April 20, 2010 7:40 AM | Link to this
I appreciate USPS very much. Like most things, people will not realize their value until they are gone.
By Angie
April 1, 2010 4:04 PM | Link to this
I LOVE the USPS!!
By maillady
March 19, 2010 11:01 AM | Link to this
As a retired Rural Mail Carrier I agree with with Rural Mail Carrier. I carried 3 different routes in 28 years. If you think about how many pieces of mail a day you get take that times 450-500 thats how many families are on most routes.Carriers don’t sort the mail wrong on purpose. Even in some offices where machines sort some of the mail ,the machines don’t get it all right and the carriers have to sort through it also.I liked my job and I miss seeing my patrons and I never intentionly put mail in the wrong box. It would also help carriers if your name or house # was on ever mail box and the carrier knew the names of everyone living at each address.
By Jerry
March 19, 2010 10:44 AM | Link to this
When it comes to residential delivery, the USPS is still one of the best values around. The larger package carriers (FedEx,UPS)have even developed rates where they will pick up the package but residential deliveries will be through the USPS! Tells you something. I applaud the USPS efforts to expand their services and to position themselves as the primary service for residential delivery. Where else can you mail a post card in Cleveland at 5:00 P.m. and pick it up from your mailbax the next day when you get home for the princely sum of $0.28 postcard rate!
By vick
March 11, 2010 1:32 PM | Link to this
I have the best UPS carrier on the planet. My FedEx service is just fine. And I LOVE the US Mail. I guess I’m just a rah rah kind of guy.
By irishguy
March 11, 2010 1:28 PM | Link to this
Lea, good luck with that. UPS drivers are Teamsters. As an HR guy at UPS once told me, “it’s easier to get rid of herpes than a Teamster”. I was told one driver had been fired 3 times, only to have the union get him reinstated each time.
By Lea
March 11, 2010 1:22 PM | Link to this
Honestly, our mail service is pretty good considering they don’t like to plow our street. I think we’ve missed one scheduled day of service since mid 2005. That’s pretty darn good! They also tend to drive better than UPS. I’ve called in a UPS driver multiple times for speeding on our road. Does no good.
By TRS
March 11, 2010 1:07 PM | Link to this
I share the sentiments of most. I bear the postal service no ill will and I’m not a huge advocate of privatization. As a kid I was raised on a rural route for which I have fond memories of the carrier and I have had no real issues with the service I’ve received. I once read that most things start well; however, as time passes and things change the focus tends to go toward sustaining a bureaucracy rather than allowing it to evolve or fade away. I believe that applies in both the public and private sector. The PO has been trying to evolve for some time and I hope it does but its got to figure out how to break even.
By TRS
March 11, 2010 12:31 PM | Link to this
Question - How then, does the PO deal with its substantial losses? Obviously at this point they are not self sustaining and a deficit is being incurred. Who is standing behind this debt? As I understand it, it is a federal budget item and the losses count toward the deficit; thus, is that not subsidizing, perhaps not directly, but accomplishing the same result nonetheless? If I’m wrong, I’m open to explanation of how thats being dealt with.
By irishguy
March 11, 2010 11:51 AM | Link to this
Being a postal employee must be like being a offensive lineman, you’re only noticed when you make a mistake. I recall seeing the occasional pkg for KY or CA coming down the belt at UPS. Everyone makes mistakes. 44 cents is still a great deal.
By larry
March 11, 2010 11:44 AM | Link to this
I have no problem with the employees of the postal service and the service they provide. I am reluctant to pay things on-line because the more personal info floating out there, the less secure I feel. Every time there is an increase, too often it seems, I recalculate my objections. For now, I support and wish them well.
By NCF
March 11, 2010 11:33 AM | Link to this
If I recall correctly, it wold violate a federal law for letters to be delivered by any company or organization other than the USPS. So, it’s not just a simple matter of trying to get UPS or FedEx to deliver the letter, it’s a matter of getting them to violate a federal law. Of course they’re not going to deliver letters under those conditions. Aside from that, Mr. Postal Worker makes some good points. But get that federal law repealed, and see what rates the UPS/FedEx types will offer. I doubt 44 cents will work for those guys. So, in that line, Hooray for the USPS!