Likely new RCA hire and have a few questions

[lbpd16]

Good evening from a new forum member.

I applied for a RCA position and passed the 473E with a 85.  About a week later got an email from GIS for the driving history check.  I had my interview and go back to the post office in a couple days to fill out some paperwork.  I believe I was told fingerprints would be next.

What happens from here?  I have read about background checks, physicals or medical questionnaire and 2 types of training classes.

At my interview I asked about insurance and was told that I had to be on the job a year for insurance.  The job announcement mentioned being immediately eligible for the USPS Health Benefits plan with post office premium contribution.  Looks like its about $100 a month for just me.  Is this actual insurance or something a little less?  I currently have very good COBRA coverage from my last employer but pay $452 a month for it.  I have a kidney stone history so I would hate to give up my current insurance if the USPS Health Benefits plan really isn't insurance.

I was told that I would be working saturdays for sure and then any other day that someone takes off or sick or if they need extra help.  I was also told I would be trained on all the rural routes so that I could fill in anywhere.  Lucky for me i'm semi-retired and I don't need a full time income job.  I would ideally like 3 days a week but I am happy with 1 day or however many days they need me.  Health insurance and a little spending money are my main concerns right now and it seems as if this will work out perfect for me.

I'm also thinking about buying a used factory RHD vehicle.  I was leaning to a 90's Jeep Cherokee but am noticing more of the rural drivers using mini vans because of all the Amazon stuff.  I saw that after the probationary period is over I can apply for a partial reimbursement for the purchase of a RHD vehicle.  I believe it was $1000 for factory RHD.

Looks like the pay rate is $17.78 per hour and 71 cents per mile.

I got a tour of the building at the interview, its a small town.  It seemed like everyone got along well with each other too.  They seemed to be busy but happy.

I'm sure I will eventually have more questions but I think this is it for now.  Thanks.

 

[D.B.Cooper]

Here's a link with a conversation for a new RCA a few months back... should make for some useful reading for you...

https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/forum/leave-replacements/new-rca-in-training-with-questions/

 

[btdtret]

lbpd16 -- "Good evening from a new forum member."

--  Sure glad you found this web site before you get too deep into postal employment!

" Lucky for me i’m semi-retired and I don’t need a full time income job.  I would ideally like 3 days a week but I am happy with 1 day or however many days they need me. "

--  Is there ANY OTHER job opportunities in your area?

--  Just wanting 3 days a week? - probably should have come in as an ARC ( Assistant Rural Carrier ).  ARC's only work Saturday, Sunday and holidays.   There are draw backs:  no path to become a regular carrier.  no access to non-career employee health benefits, no earned leave nor bidding rights.

--  As an RCA, there is a l-o-n-g path in becoming a regular carrier.   AND all the time spent as an RCA DOES NOT COUNT towards retirement.

--  If you hire on and are approached to join the union -- National Rural Letter Carrier Association, bite the bullet and pay cash for dues.   That was if you decide to get out of the union, just stop paying cash.  Other wise there are hoops to jump through to get out if dues are being taken out of your wages. 

"I was told that I would be working Saturdays for sure and then any other day that someone takes off or sick or if they need extra help.  I was also told I would be trained on all the rural routes so that I could fill in anywhere. "

--  How many routes in your prospective post office?   How many RCA's.

--  There is an old saying in the post office:  if manglement's lips were moving -- beware!  ( usually true in most cases.  there are good supervisors and postmasters out there, just hard to find )

--  Working Saturdays sound like you will be subbing on a K-route.   That is 2 work days per a two-week pay period.  If you land in a sub-short office, there could be a LOT more work.   RCA's also get thrown into the Sunday Amazon ( and other parcel ) deliveries if your office is close to a hub.   

"I’m also thinking about buying a used factory RHD vehicle.  I was leaning to a 90’s Jeep Cherokee but am noticing more of the rural drivers using mini vans because of all the Amazon stuff.  I saw that after the probationary period is over I can apply for a partial reimbursement for the purchase of a RHD vehicle.  I believe it was $1000 for factory RHD."

--  DO NOT BUY A ROUTE VEHICLE UNTIL YOU ARE SURE YOU WANT TO BE AN RCA!

--  What is your current vehicle?  Can it be used to delivery mail?  Does the office have LLV's ( the white postal vans )?  Is there one assigned to your route?

--  Search for "right hand drive" in the KNOWLEDGEBASE section at the top of the page.   Paper work to be signed PRIOR to purchase of a route vehicle.  And there is a age limit on the vehicle to qualify for the RHD incentive.

" The job announcement mentioned being immediately eligible for the USPS Health Benefits plan with post office premium contribution.  Looks like its about $100 a month for just me.  Is this actual insurance or something a little less?  "

-- Health benefits for RCA's came about long after I departed the post office.  Some help here!  Some benefits depends on averaging 30 hours work per week for the previous year.   That night be difficult as an RCA in a small office.

"I got a tour of the building at the interview, its a small town.  It seemed like everyone got along well with each other too.  They seemed to be busy but happy."

--  Small town usually equals a small post office.  Those tend to have a better working relationship, top to bottom, as everyone knows everything about everyone else.  Live there long or just move there?

 

Bring your questions here.   Someone should be able to provide answers.

 

[lbpd16]

Went back in today and filled out some paperwork, took photo and did fingerprints.  They said I should here something in about a week or so.  I would imagine i'm well on my way.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Unless you are in an extremely large office you may be working a long while before you make regular.

I started in 2004 and am not regular as of this date but I do have an Aux route which gives me some sick and annual leave. 

<strong>They will work you like a mule and won't give two dead rats about you!</strong>

<strong>Good luck with your choice.</strong>     <img title="Project2.jpg" alt="Project2.jpg" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-image-uploads/doc/2018/04/Project2.jpg" />

 

[faceindawind]

No need to be polite. Look at other threads on site. Most here shoot from the hip and combined we all share vast forms of knowledge of how the system works which we are committed to work for. The knowledge base on this site provide critical info for all.

You should ask, What is the present RCA coverage? Is this an APO/RMPO office? Are all routes assigned an RCA? If not expect more days of coverage other than the route you were hired for. 

As far as training, the present trend is for you to do a shadow day with the carrier for the route hired before any formal training is done. This is the opportune time to ask someone who has been in the system and office any questions about management environment,(Don't worry about other workers in office. Not all get along) days you will more than likely work other than the assigned day. On this shadow day ask this REG if they take days off after a holiday. If so expect to take 2-3 days of mail in one day for one day of pay. IE, I take little time off. Rarely call in sick, but when I do I call my RCA the night before to give them a heads up before I notify management so they are aware of the 6 am phone call from them. I hoard my time for plans I make in November. Once this window is figured out I burn time on sweet summer days, cold winter days and days after a holiday.

Ask this REG about the opportunity given to train on other routes. Management will claim 3 routes. Reality is once proficient they will toss you onto an unknown route to get the mail out the door, so they do not have to do it. 

WAIT on buying a ride until you are comfortable with the job you are doing. You were offered the gig based on your present ride size. If it all doesn't fit you are entitled to mileage and time to return to the office to gather rest to finish. The EMA of 71 you now speak of changes with the price of gas every 3 months. Expect to damage your ride and spend money or your own time making it route worthy. As you claim of only wanting 3 days a week delivery you will replace brakes at least once a year at that pace. Carry various fluids needed in delivery ride, expect flat tires. You are on your own out there in a personal delivery unit to complete for the days pay. 

The health insurance is all out of pocket. This is something you need to research on your own based on your needs and cost. I didn't carry any until Obama Mandate as RCA or REG because not needed based on age at time. 

Good luck and welcome to the Machine. 

 

[mtyler27]

Actually, you need to sign up for the USPS health insurance plan within your first 60 CALENDAR days of employment.  It is $50/pay period ($100/month) for self-only coverage.  I thought I wasn't eligible until I had a year of employment in, and as a result, got to pay a hefty fine on my taxes this year (and owed money for the first time ever) for not having insurance when a "low cost plan was available" to me (even though I didn't know it).  If you don't sign up within the first 60 calendar days, your next opportunity will not be until open enrollment season in December (or November?). 

I've been an RCA for 1.25 years.

I agree on not buying a vehicle until you see whether or not you even like the job.  Others commenting here are correct.  There will be times where you will be lucky to get 1 or 2 days a week.  And other times you will be lucky to get a day off at all.  Expect to work every Saturday and Tuesday after every Monday holiday.  If your office delivers Amazon, expect to work every Sunday and EVERY holiday.  Amazon does not take off for Memorial Day, Easter, Veterans Day, etc.  And this pay will be straight time, not time and a half or double time.

They will give you a hard time about taking so long, and give you the "you may not be cut out for this job" speech.  Ignore them.  Don't waste time, but don't rush either, or you will be more likely to make mistakes.  It takes a while to get good on a route when you only work it one day a week.  I don't think I felt like I finally was getting the hang of it until I was on about working day 60.

Get yourself a little monthly planner calendar thing, and keep track of your work days on it.  Count any day worked, including training.  As you near your 90 days worked, keep quiet about it.  Don't remind management of their last chance to easily get rid of you right before you finish probation.

You'll get paid hourly (instead of evaluation) for the first five pay periods (10 weeks).

If you get good at the job, expect to be used and abused, as in, having to go help others when you finished and called in to work at every opportunity.  There are a whole lot of negatives about his job, to where most will tell you to never take the job in the first place.  However, once you get the hang of it, and despite all the negatives, it CAN be a very enjoyable job (once you get out of the office and out on your route).  I love the independence, watching the season change (though working in gale force winds, rain, and freezing temperatures isn't so much fun), and the solitude.  

Best wishes to you, and welcome!

 

[lbpd16]

I guess I'm even closer now.  Got the email today with the conditional job offer, drug test email, background check email and personnel email to fill out contact info and tax info.  Tomorrow I will schedule the drug test.  Then I guess I will wait some more.

 

[Charlie Brown]

I don't believe that the health insurance is the same as career employees get under FEHB. I think it's more like the bare minimum needed under the ACA (obamacare) So you might need to check that out before cancelling whatever you already have.

Also I agree with everybody that's already told you to not buy a vehicle until you know that this job is for you. Make whatever you have work or find a cheap piece of crap car until you're sure.

I think somebody already told you to write down every day you work so you can know when your probation is over. (90 days worked or 1 calendar year)  Good idea.

Here's another good idea, on a phone app or even a calendar write down your daily work hours, (what and where) include all training hours. Especially training hours. Each place you go for training (orientation, vehicle training, rural academy, shadow day,) has to submit a time card for your hours worked. Nobody is going to try a screw you out of any hours but mistakes happen. If you track your hours and keep your own record of what you work it's easier to get things fixed if needed. It's a good habit to keep doing that even after your training is done.

Best of luck to you!