ARC to RCA and now I am doubting myself.

[WayuuWoman]

I often come to here to read, and decided to join to ask for advice. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

I have been working as an ARC for 6 months. I previously worked as an RCA for 2 months.... BUT where I worked before they had 120 routes, and I hardly ever did the same one and got frustrated and overwhelmed. I got a weekday job in the hospitality business, and well, that is gone due to the virus.

So I applied for a position as an RCA in a very small office. So small it only has 2 routes. I figured I could learn 2 really good, since I have done well as an ARC, specially lately with all the craziness.

Things is that I thought I was going to cover both routes,at least work two days out of the week, since the office I am in right now has never called me on a Saturday, and I just learned they hired another RCA, so I will be doing 1 day a week. The new office does not have postal vehicles either, so I may need to spend in the near future on a RHD. No potential of moving up....

Now I am second guessing myself and wondering if it is worth it. My current office is 10 minutes away, and the small one 30 minutes. But I think it will be much calmer. I also really liked the postmaster, and I would not have to go every Sunday... What is a girl to do? Opinions? Advice?

My new postmaster said she would have no problem for me continuing to do Amazon Sundays at my current post office. And my supervisor said to just show up. They need people lately anyway. So that would be 2 days still for now.

Honestly I am not looking to make a long live career. I am 2 years shy of being 60. So I am late in the game. I have orientation (again) this Saturday, but now I am wondering if it is worth moving to another office.

 

[WayuuWoman]

Thank you both ? So I m guessing from what you say that is better to switch crafts to RCA.

 

[Voglio-il mio]

Thank you both ? So I m guessing from what you say that is better to switch crafts to RCA.

FYI, you are not switching Crafts just job titles as ARC, RCA, and Regular Carriers are all in the same craft!
Welcome to the Rural Mail Talk site!

 

[WayuuWoman]

well as an ARC I am not allowed to carry mail, only parcels. At least in my office.

 

[2goatspastnormal]

I love my little 1 and 1/2 route office where I am the RCA. It allows me to be very flexible......work for them when they need me, and work for other small offices near by when they need me.

 

[Morty]

Stay in the small. If you want hours, sounds like the 120 route office could use you 7 days a week. You're senior sub in your 2 route office, so ride it out. RCA can get health insurance and tsp

 

[WayuuWoman]

Well I did accept it, and start in about 10 days. Wish me luck you guys!

 

[callofthewild]

All the best to you, you will do great!!! Try not to sweat the small stuff, and it is all small stuff.

 

[Rollus A. Hooter]

I just turned 62 (retired from another job and collecting early retirement). I took a job as an RCA as I understood I would get a couple of days a week. I went to the academy and found that I was needed for 40-60 hours a week. I applied for the ARC position stating that I could work up to 19 hours a week......so far it has only been Amazon Sundays. I suggest that you listen to what your body tells you.

 

[WayuuWoman]

Thank you all!

 

[WayuuWoman]

I just turned 62 (retired from another job and collecting early retirement). I took a job as an RCA as I understood I would get a couple of days a week. I went to the academy and found that I was needed for 40-60 hours a week. I applied for the ARC position stating that I could work up to 19 hours a week......so far it has only been Amazon Sundays. I suggest that you listen to what your body tells you.

Thanks I will see how it goes. Specially lately the packages were getting so heavy on me. The other day I had to deliver a recliner I think the small office delivering mail is going to be easier for me. And they confirmed only 2 days a week. I got another part time for now. We will see how it goes.

 

[kingu]

Once you finish the easy easy easy money from orientation, driver training, backlot, shadow day and academy, (plus those Amazon Sundays) I'd talk to the supervisor at your local station as for what you'd really like to help on. With this volume, a lot of stations are in dire need of help on collections, especially half days (1pm to 5pm - though mine is specifically 2ish to 7ish.) Aside from picking up from CVS, UPS stores and contract stations, there's also grabbing outgoing form city carriers.

That can certainly help in getting funding for your POV if you don't already have it set up. ALMOST went the same route myself doing a 2 route plus AUX station and helping at my local station.

 

[WayuuWoman]

That is great advice! Thank you! My new office is super small with only 3 routes, but my understanding was that she would not mind me working at other stations on my days off.

 

[WayuuWoman]

So I am only 1 week into it, and I am totally overwhelmed. I gues I am not as fast as expected, and I made a mistake in one package, and got chewed out. I already one to give up.... I should have stayed were I was...

 

[Itstillfun]

Keep your eye on the prize. It is not a race
Treat yourself nicely go easy. Takes what it takes. Get a good night s sleep get up and the next day will be better. Time can be your friend.

 

[Voglio-il mio]

We all started out exactly as you have. If its a Regular Carrier that giving you grief remind them of how they were when they first started. If its a supervisor or PM just blow them off and keep doing the best you can. It all takes time, the key to it all is not speed but accuracy. Speed will come with time and repetition. Develop a mail handling system that is comfortable to you, make improvements to it as time goes on but stick to it. It took me over 6 months for it to become smooth and than all of a sudden Bang it was easy! Hang in there I'm sure you're doing great.

 

[RDruckus]

So I am only 1 week into it, and I am totally overwhelmed. I gues I am not as fast as expected, and I made a mistake in one package, and got chewed out. I already one to give up.... I should have stayed were I was...

Your management team lacks people skills. I'm sorry they are unprofessional and unsupportive.

Everyone makes mistakes, and you're only one week in!!!
You'll be great, it does take a little time to learn this job.
Don't kick yourself, and remember: as a sub, you can transfer to an office with a better management team.
I've been told you must put in 90 working days first, but sometimes you can get around that.

I'm sure there's a PM nearby who would love to have a motivated worker like you.

 

[WayuuWoman]

Thank you guys. My office is so small we do not have supervisors, only a PM, and she is also overseeing another office, so I have not seen her at all since I started working.

But she called me, and I honestly told her how I was feeling, and she told me she would not allow me to quit. lol. They need an RCA so bad, another guys started a week before me, and he already quit.

The regular needs to take time off, and I think he expects me to do the whole route. He has been nice and helpful, but I think they expect too much from me too soon because I was an ARC. But is a complete different ballgame...

Thank you all for your answers.

 

[WayuuWoman]

Well, I quit last week. I really did not like that office. Everyone was king (or queen) and there were only 6 people. The PM was managing the office remotely, and there was no supervisor. I just could not take it anymore.

The good news is that I got rehired as an ARC again in another office. I think I will remain an ARC, a lot let stressful.