Looking for Advice/Options RCA

[Rca001]

I'd like to start by saying that I really want to learn and make this job work.

I am fresh out of the Rural Academy and was told that there would be 24 - 32 hours of on the job training once we got back to the office. Well, very first day I was put on a K route and handed a line of travel for the first half of the route and told to run it. Needless to say I failed miserably, didn't know the route, couldn't find boxes or houses, not familiar with the town or streets, in my POV with LHD and it got dark at 4:30. I got back to the office late with undelivered packages and mail for boxes I couldn't find.

The Carrier was as helpful as possible via phone but that didn't help how overwhelmed I was with the whole process and I am being told that I will run the route Solo on Saturday after a couple more days of running halves.

I don't have background with the USPS but have worked delivery route jobs in the past with great success after a proper learning curve so I am not talking from inexperience when I say I see a huge problem around the corner come Saturday when I am told to run an entire K route and have a nice day.

I don't want to quit so what are my options? My office is small and there are already no subs as it is and they have been shorthanded for a while so my PM is only concerned about getting the mail out and obviously see's me as long awaited relief but I am not ready yet.

Can I transfer to another office with an Aux route or smaller route to start on to actually learn the job?

Can I call someone?

Don't know my options.

Feeling frustrated...

 

[dannkim18]

I don't think you can actually transfer anywhere for one year or 90 days worked in your current office.  You could resign and reapply, but with no guarentee that another office would hire you.

You are supposed to get 3 days of on the job training, usually it's ride with the regular carrier, but I guess each office has their own way of seeing what OJT is.

 

[12345]

Hang in there. This is a terrible time to be the new person on the route. Just remember you are being paid for actual hours not evaluation so the check will be nice. Unless they have no one else I would imagine they will find a way to help you if your hours get too crazy. Sometimes they are a bit slow with the help. In my case they waited a couple weeks and then decided I needed the extra training by then I was starting to "get it". It was unnecessary but if they wanted to give me some company for a few days it was fine with me. After years with a LHD I switched to a RHD; what a difference. I am a regular carrier. I would tell you how many hours my first day was but it might identify me. I will say it was over 12 hrs.

 

[EthelAnne]

Unfortunately, as @dannkim18 pointed out, your only option would be to resign and apply after the holiday season, but that won't guarantee that you'd get hired into the sort of office you're looking for, if it even exists: aux routes and H routes (the smallest regular route) are unlikely to need or get RCAs of their own, so your chances of being hired into an office that would train you on those sorts of routes are very slim. 

After the holiday season, mail/parcels become more manageable, even on larger routes, but the large routes are still large. It's probably small consolation to hear that every single RCA (or just about) starts at the same point you are right now--a couple of days of "training" (and some don't even get that) and then a handshake and a good luck wish and you're on your own. Despite very recent changes to the training system with the rural craft, it's still very much sink or swim.

Talk with your Postmaster/Supervisor to see if they can work with you until you get up to speed: put you on a smaller route or give you assistance. Right now, there is a lot of pressure throughout the organization to retain RCAs once they're hired, so they may be willing to do more for you than they have done for new RCAs in the past.

Lastly, you could try and see if your area is hiring for the ARC position--these are folks who only deliver parcels on Sundays, and that might help to get your feet wet without having to deal with sorting and delivering mail. ARCs may also be utilized to deliver routes on Saturdays when there are no RCAs available, so even if you could get this position, you might find yourself running a K route on a Saturday as an ARC, as well, so that won't solve your problem.

 

[Boston65]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>EthelAnne said </strong>
Unfortunately, as @dannkim18 pointed out, your only option would be to resign and apply after the holiday season, but that won't guarantee that you'd get hired into the sort of office you're looking for, if it even exists: aux routes and H routes (the smallest regular route) are unlikely to need or get RCAs of their own, so your chances of being hired into an office that would train you on those sorts of routes are very slim. 

After the holiday season, mail/parcels become more manageable, even on larger routes, but the large routes are still large. It's probably small consolation to hear that every single RCA (or just about) starts at the same point you are right now--a couple of days of "training" (and some don't even get that) and then a handshake and a good luck wish and you're on your own. Despite very recent changes to the training system with the rural craft, it's still very much sink or swim.

Talk with your Postmaster/Supervisor to see if they can work with you until you get up to speed: put you on a smaller route or give you assistance. Right now, there is a lot of pressure throughout the organization to retain RCAs once they're hired, so they may be willing to do more for you than they have done for new RCAs in the past.

Lastly, you could try and see if your area is hiring for the ARC position--these are folks who only deliver parcels on Sundays, and that might help to get your feet wet without having to deal with sorting and delivering mail. ARCs may also be utilized to deliver routes on Saturdays when there are no RCAs available, so even if you could get this position, you might find yourself running a K route on a Saturday as an ARC, as well, so that won't solve your problem.  </blockquote>
The Training Department in Virginia set up the new training format in order to reduce the high turnover that the Postal Service is now experiencing. This behavior goes against their direct order. A phone call to your area office needs to be made. Every office is short staffed. Nothing new nor is it an excuse to short change training. Turnover is costing huge amounts of money. Solving short term problems will not solve the long term problem of staffing.

 

[LostinDakota]

I get that the "official" training in the classroom has been standardized and spread out over more days but part of the problem is that the OJT in the office and on the route ranges from 3 days of ride along to "here's the line of travel, have a good day out there."  You have regulars who absolutely are not going to train a sub as "They don't get paid for that." Also situations where the postmasters in these smaller offices will baby the sub along so they don't quit by providing help way longer than should be expected.  Add in all of the incidental requirements each day and a person new to the craft can be easily overwhelmed.  We need some standardization in actual OJT on the route the sub is assigned to.  Incidentally, if you are working in an office close enough to a Sunday Amazon delivery site you will added to the call-up list within a week or two of being added to the payroll.  In this area no RCAs volunteered to be on the list; everyone is called up on a rotating basis, usually working every second or third week.

 

[noluv4llv]

It's very easy to blame the post office for bad training or bad on the job training (which I am not disputing) however there is also the other side that this job just is not for everyone. Some people won't like it, can't afford to stay, can not do the job or various other reasons. If you truly want to stay, you will find a way to make it work. There are things that you as a new sub can do to make it easier for yourself. You can take the line of travel and run it a few times by yourself on your off days, or in the evening. You can ask if you can come in and case some 3rd class mail on a Monday after your regular leaves to help you learn the case. You can take pictures of the case on your phone and study it or study the line of travel and learn the roads to make casing easier. Please do not be too hard on yourself if you are having a hard time, we all are right now! It's a bad time of year for seasoned employees, let alone anyone new. It will get easier, wanting to work and wanting to make it work is a great first step!

 

[Boston65]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>LostinDakota said </strong>
I get that the "official" training in the classroom has been standardized and spread out over more days but part of the problem is that the OJT in the office and on the route ranges from 3 days of ride along to "here's the line of travel, have a good day out there."  You have regulars who absolutely are not going to train a sub as "They don't get paid for that." Also situations where the postmasters in these smaller offices will baby the sub along so they don't quit by providing help way longer than should be expected.  Add in all of the incidental requirements each day and a person new to the craft can be easily overwhelmed.  We need some standardization in actual OJT on the route the sub is assigned to.  Incidentally, if you are working in an office close enough to a Sunday Amazon delivery site you will added to the call-up list within a week or two of being added to the payroll.  In this area no RCAs volunteered to be on the list; everyone is called up on a rotating basis, usually working every second or third week.  </blockquote>
The real problem here is that a standard training has been implemented. In order for it to succeed it will need full cooperation. Too many people are trying to sabotage it before it has a chance. Regulars want time off. Demand a sub. They get one but are unwilling to give what it takes to help them succeed. Admittedly some RCA's do need more than normal help, most if given that extra time may end up one of the best subs a regular could ask for and eventually one of the better regular carriers. The other problem is the Postal Service sticking to no overtime for anyone. In areas so short, this policy is stupid. And as you mentioned about ARC's, they are trained to carry parcels and sometimes mail only. They are NOT trained on how to case it. If you are down a route on a Saturday andyou have all of your RCA's and PTF's working, manglement can call on an ARC. RCA's or PTF's will have to case the route first. Makes sense huh?

 

[OverTheHillGuy]

Was the carrier on the phone, the regular carrier. If so, I don't understand what your PM was thinking. Why wasn't the carrier helping you in the office. The job takes time to pick up. And as stated, for sure the Christmas season is not the best time to start. You are right, in office training should be provided. We usually work with our subs for 3 days before they go out on their own. Day 1 - ride along - Day 2 - case and deliver 1st half - Day 3 - case and deliver 2nd half.  And day 4 case and deliver whole route. Each day we are in the office making sure our subs get organized and out in at a reasonable time. This usually takes up the allotted training time (24 hours) allowed. 

I would ask the PM why he/she is not supplying any support for you. It does them no good if you went thru training then are driven to quit after a few weeks. Unfortunately, not all PM's are created equal. Some are extremely short sighted and only worry about the short term. Don't think there is much you can do as a new hire under 90 days. As stated by others, there are things you can do on your own like drive the route on your own time (which I did as well) but its a 2 way street. You are entitled to the expectation that the PO will provide you with the tools to do the job. Of which, route training in your office is a big one. 

Maybe approaching you PM with your concerns, and your wanting to do a good job can help.  Good luck and try hanging in there, it will get easier but only thru repetition.

 

[btdtret]

Rca001 -- Welcome to the USPS!!   Sorry to say but you could not have picked a worse time to get hired, right at the beginning of the holidays ( aka the "silly season" ).   Most members of manglement leave such things as understanding, common sense, and compassion out in the parking lot during this time of the year.

You were certainly given a raw deal for the first day ( is the route the one you are assigned to? ) and you should probably expect many more in the days to come.  As others have posted, 3 days with the regular on the route would have been the norm, but this is the silly season and anything goes - literally.   And unfortunately, some regular carriers don't like to train their reliefs.   Don't be afraid to ask another regular or RCA.  BTW -- was the regular sick at home?

Keep track of your work hours to make sure you are getting ACTUAL time for the first 5 pay periods of your, hopefully, long postal career.

LHD POV -- during your interview, were you told that you would need a vehicle for delivering mail?   A LHD POV normally will not suffice.

Transfer to another office is out of the question.  1st -- You would need to have completed your probationary period first ( 90 work days or 1-calendar year, which ever come first ).  2nd -- No guarantee of a better work office.  ( the only place the grass is greener if over the septic tank ).   Most offices are sub-short, such as yours.  The PM still has to "make the numbers" too and will do just about anything to get the mail delivered.   

Each route should have a route map and a 4003 ( turn by turn directions of the route ).   Make copies to take with you.   

Working in the dark -- buy yourself an LED set.   Some clip on the glasses, others to the bill of a ball cap.   SEAR's ad today has a 6-LED light that can clip to a pocket.

Repetition, repetition, repetition is the only way to learn a route.   Unfortunately, that probably won't be happening in your foreseeable future with the silly season upon us.

You have past delivery experience -- make good use of it.  What did you for directions?  Did you use your POV?

Sure your are frustrated -- but don't make any rash decisions.   You could resign, but that doesn't really solve anything if you need the work.

Hate to say it, but TOUGH it out until January.   If you can make it until then, things should get back to some semblance of normalcy.

You have a couple of things going for you.  The post master general said last year to "keep RCA's at all costs", so you PM won't be in any hurry to fire you without good cause.   No one likes to answer to those higher up the food chain.  And no doubt your PM will be anxious to keep you as there are no other subs in the office.   And hopefully your PM knows what a raw deal you are getting and will be understanding.

Hang in there and good luck.

 

[Rca001]

Thank you all SO much for all the support, advice, and encouragement!

This is the great resource I was needing and looking for.

I have no doubt that I will get it over time. If I am given the time to get it. I know the job is a good fit for me if I can get the training I need for the light switch to flip on.

So many questions have been asked to me so let me see if I can clarify.

"Was the carrier on the phone, the regular carrier. If so, I don't understand what your PM was thinking. Why wasn't the carrier helping you in the office."

Yes, The Regular was the one on the phone while I was out on the route when I had questions, and especially after it was dark. He was on the second half of the route while I was on the first and did help in the morning at the office. I am not familiar with the town at all and now that I know I won't have a full day of driving it with the regular, will have to head out on my off day with the line of travel.

"( is the route the one you are assigned to? )" Yes it is my assigned route.

" LHD POV -- during your interview, were you told that you would need a vehicle for delivering mail?   Yes, I was told that I would use my personal. luckily I have one that will suffice for the time being. Right hand drive will be far superior for sure but I can't make the investment right now, especially while on probation.

" You have past delivery experience -- make good use of it.  What did you for directions?  Did you use your POV? "

I had the line of travel but was expecting a full day of riding along with the regular to learn it, and ask questions. I don't know the town at all. Yes, I used my POV which I learned real quick was not set up for efficiently delivering the mail. I have since made some modifications that should help.

Thanks again for all the support and advice. I need to get an LED light tomorrow ;-)

 

[wolfound]

RCA001.....

The hardest thing to learn working for the Post Office is learning to bend with the ebb and flow of the US Mail. It is a river. Unpredictable, sometimes even wild in its torrents. Sometimes flooding across our paths as if to drown us. Yet,  other times it is calm and easy, allowing one time to think and laze upon its flow. But, just as a river, it is ceaseless~ always and forever flowing through the hands that process and carry it to its final shore. It takes a very ,very strong  person to try and swim against its current. Learn to go with the flow with your own system. You can follow the advice of others, but you need to learn to make it work for you. No one system is right or wrong. Carrier X may tell you it is done this way...but carrier Xs' system may not work for you. In my experience, organization is the key. If you can organize your mail so that its delivery makes sense to you, then that is half the battle. The rest, as stated before by my learned fellow carriers, is repetition. When i first started, I made a form that was the exact layout of my case......just streets and numbers as they are on case. I hung copies of it everywhere in my house...at eye level, bathroom mirror, kitchen cabinets, so forth.....so no matter where i was i could look at it and study it. It drove my husband nuts, but it certainly helped me learn that 1234 to 9876 Maple St was in the third row of the first column on the case. I concentrated on the streets and numbers only.....the names associated with the number will come in time. I also wrote down the street names in order over and over and over again.....mentally driving the route as i wrote them down....example...maple then fern then turn around and retrace fern, go left on and finish maple, turn around and retrace maple to hollow go right on hollow......I also made flash cards on cardboard stock that had the street number and an arrow denoting TURN AROUND and cased them before the mail at that address so i knew when i got there i needed to retrace(saved me looking at the small printed 4003). These are just a few little things i did until I got them memorized. Good luck, friend......I started my career at this time of year too, learn to swim with the sharks right away, and when the smooth river of summer comes, you'll enjoy it.