Backing up

[12345]

Never using reverse was mentioned in another thread. I have a number of places I need to back up to change direction. Some of them are half way down a block. In my distant past I had filed a grievance on turning in the middle of the block. I lost. Eliminating the turn around would have required adding 400 ft to the route and would have made me the free form of delivery for a half dozen houses. The additional boxes would have raised my evaluation to the next hour so I was told to BE CAREFUL.

I also have houses with long driveways that receive multiple parcels on a fairly regular basis. I drive up and back out as they are too narrow to turn around and I have no intention of walking and I do not have room to carry a cart. Customers have had boxes located at the end of their sidewalk with a nice loop turn around were required to move them to the end to the driveway to get the boxes off private property. I then had to turn around by backing up.

The PO claims to have no tolerance for backing, but if it serves their purpose backing does not seem to be a problem unless you have an accident then it is back to the (you should not back up). I have not had an accident. I am sitting at a wood desk so knock knock. 

 

[olewhatshername]

No tolerance for backing????  My 4003 ....says "backup" ....when if you drive another 100 yards there is a turnaround....no backing???  But bet your booty if you have a accident backing.....it is all on you.

 

[Rt2mailman]

When you are required to back to deliver to a box, make sure it is written on you turn by turn, (4003) or if you have an accident it will be due to "unauthorized" backing, which is a common discipline being handed out lately.

 

[Deer Smearer]

Avoid backing.

NEVER BACK UP??? Good luck with that. Our llvs are parked against a fence. We could pull up to the fence nose in. But how would we be able to leave after loading?

BE SAFE.

 

[Yee_Ha]

Welcome to Postal Fantasyland, for the next few hours common sense and real life situations no longer exist...enjoy the rest of your workday. 

We do not work for idiots' they want it both ways and get it both ways..the only way we are getting it is bent over. 

 

[btdtret]

Deer Smearer et al -- "NEVER BACK UP??? Good luck with that."

--  Same at my old office where half the routes pulled nose-in across the parking lot and the other half backed-in to the loading dock at the end of the day.

--  Of course every time manglement had a Stand-Up on the subject backing up, hands would fly up -- how are we supposed to get out of the parking lot?

Luckily the supervisor had a sense of humor

--  Same when ever the supervisor asked for regular volunteers to work on Saturday.   Having a Wednesday relief day, I had no problem raising my hand!

--  On the serious side, if involved in an accident while backing up -- if lucky, you will be hung out to dry.  If unlucky, you'll be facing removal.

-- "It's always the carrier's fault." is probably carved in stone at the USPS HQ.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I know quite well about <strong>"not backing up".  </strong>In <strong>2004</strong> when I first started at my office I had to pull in a driveway and back up because it was at the end of a cul de sac. There was absolutely no other way and it was the way I was shown to run the route by the regular. I backed up and hit a parked car.<img title="Cry" alt="Cry" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cry.gif" /> <img title="Cry" alt="Cry" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cry.gif" /> <img title="Cry" alt="Cry" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cry.gif" />

To make a long story short, since I was new and still on probation, I was told by the then Postmaster, that I would have to resign or district would require him to fire me. The PM was a great guy and told me to give him a short letter of resignation and he would move me inside to clerk and he did exactly what he promised. I eventually was allowed to be rehired on the rural side which is where I am today.

He was always a straight shooter and treated everyone great. No one ever had a bad thing to say about him, ever. Sadly he retired and it's been a bitch since then with PM's.

 

[Nebcarrier]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Rt2mailman said </strong>
When you are required to back to deliver to a box, make sure it is written on you turn by turn, (4003) or if you have an accident it will be due to "unauthorized" backing, which is a common discipline being handed out lately.  </blockquote>
How are you able to get this authorized? Haven't seen it on the sheet and the current MPOO is against backing up.

 

[olewhatshername]

Please, also during your yearly route inspection note to the USPS inspector ....I BACK UP HERE.  I do this each year during route inspection....nothing is ever said or changed; but I still note it and document all the areas I back up to the route inspector.

 

[Rt2mailman]

Neb carrier, the way you get "backing" in writing is to stop doing it unless it is in writing. After your route inspection, you tell your pm, "if backing is not written on my turn by turn tomorrow, I stop servicing that address and you take it up with the customer". If you put this in writing to your pm that is even more helpful, but keep a copy and have it postmarked. 

 

[overit500]

Good point. I have a customer who said his front door is ONLY a 600 foot walk and that I should walk his parcels to his door. What is the max walking distance for a parcel? Anything official in writing would be appreciated.