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New RCA in small town need more hours to get faster to get more hours...

WarrenSensei

WarrenSensei

Active member
What are the written and unwritten rules in the USPS about when a new RCA can start pimping themself out to other offices?

A bit of venting here, but I'm trying to just explain the situation!

I finished Academy in mid March.
Tiny office: two 9hr routes and one 2.5hr aux that's just one apartment complex.

Aux regular has been the relief for the other two for at least 5 years, and is almost certain to take over R1 when S retires some time this year.
He's been usually carrying both his aux and R1 or R2 when he's being relief, except Mondays and occasional super heavy days, when the PM would deliver the aux. That seems to give him a nice set of hours that works well for him
Those Mondays have become my only expected day, and I just "get" to carry that aux, not my primary (R2). (And now Amazon Sundays.)
Since getting past ride-along stage, I've been just shy of begging for more hours. I want to be working something in the neighborhood of 40hrs/wk, but I've not been given even half that. I'm not making rent, let alone utilities. Cheapass food only.

I'm still slow on the job. I have yet to finish my 9hr primary alone. The two Saturdays I've been scheduled to try, we got Monday levels of everything and late trucks with more Amazon. When I last asked about other offices, PM said I needed to get faster and successfully deliver the full route myself. And he let slip that he's gotten calls from other offices who found out he's got a new RCA, but turned them down.

I kinda get where the PM is coming from, I guess.
But, I also need more hours so I can keep practicing and get faster.

Including orientation and academy and getting called in to take an express once and now two whole sundays /s, I've only worked 35 days, how am I supposed to be "fast enough"? And when another office needs relief and doesn't get it, isn't it better for a n00b to take as much of the route as possible than for it to not get done at all or have to be carried by the PM or something?

But he's only scheduling me to run half the route once or twice a week, with the R2 or Aux regular taking the other half. I wouldn't strictly mind the half-route thing if I were in every day.

So, I guess I'm asking how to negotiate for more hours, anywhere, without getting myself into more trouble than it's worth.
Or... should I re-apply to switch crafts to CCA, or just a larger rural office?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
 
Be careful what you wish for This is coming from an rca. it Takes time to learn one route and get a hang of it let alone multiple different routes everyday. Enjoy this time while it lasts. Eventually you will be like the rest of us rcas begging for a day off every 2 weeks.
 
WarrenSensei said:
What are the written and unwritten rules in the USPS about when a new RCA can start pimping themself out to other offices?

A bit of venting here, but I'm trying to just explain the situation!

I finished Academy in mid March.
Tiny office: two 9hr routes and one 2.5hr aux that's just one apartment complex.

Aux regular has been the relief for the other two for at least 5 years, and is almost certain to take over R1 when S retires some time this year.
He's been usually carrying both his aux and R1 or R2 when he's being relief, except Mondays and occasional super heavy days, when the PM would deliver the aux. That seems to give him a nice set of hours that works well for him
Those Mondays have become my only expected day, and I just "get" to carry that aux, not my primary (R2). (And now Amazon Sundays.)
Since getting past ride-along stage, I've been just shy of begging for more hours. I want to be working something in the neighborhood of 40hrs/wk, but I've not been given even half that. I'm not making rent, let alone utilities. Cheapass food only.

I'm still slow on the job. I have yet to finish my 9hr primary alone. The two Saturdays I've been scheduled to try, we got Monday levels of everything and late trucks with more Amazon. When I last asked about other offices, PM said I needed to get faster and successfully deliver the full route myself. And he let slip that he's gotten calls from other offices who found out he's got a new RCA, but turned them down.

I kinda get where the PM is coming from, I guess.
But, I also need more hours so I can keep practicing and get faster.

Including orientation and academy and getting called in to take an express once and now two whole sundays /s, I've only worked 35 days, how am I supposed to be "fast enough"? And when another office needs relief and doesn't get it, isn't it better for a n00b to take as much of the route as possible than for it to not get done at all or have to be carried by the PM or something?

But he's only scheduling me to run half the route once or twice a week, with the R2 or Aux regular taking the other half. I wouldn't strictly mind the half-route thing if I were in every day.

So, I guess I'm asking how to negotiate for more hours, anywhere, without getting myself into more trouble than it's worth.
Or... should I re-apply to switch crafts to CCA, or just a larger rural office?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
Click to expand...
You can “farm” yourself out to Montana and get paid hotel and per diem and work all summer.
 
The hard truth of it is, if you do go to another office and can’t finish a route, they are not going to be happy with you. That’s why your supervisor has told you that you need to be able to complete a route on your own before you go to another office. Your goal right now should be getting the route in your office done all on your own.
 
WarrenSensei -- You seem to be in a no-win situation. You want to get faster on your primary route but that is not likely to happen when you only work one day or so a week AND that day is buried in mail.

-- Be sure to check the schedule and if you are not scheduled, you could contact other area post offices about being available -- however, make sure to tell them up front that you are not getting enough time at you present post office to improve your over all speed. But are more than willing to help out. That might get you extra hours running parcels or maybe filling in on a small AUX.
 
WarrenSensei said:
What are the written and unwritten rules in the USPS about when a new RCA can start pimping themself out to other offices?

A bit of venting here, but I'm trying to just explain the situation!

I finished Academy in mid March.
Tiny office: two 9hr routes and one 2.5hr aux that's just one apartment complex.

Aux regular has been the relief for the other two for at least 5 years, and is almost certain to take over R1 when S retires some time this year.
He's been usually carrying both his aux and R1 or R2 when he's being relief, except Mondays and occasional super heavy days, when the PM would deliver the aux. That seems to give him a nice set of hours that works well for him
Those Mondays have become my only expected day, and I just "get" to carry that aux, not my primary (R2). (And now Amazon Sundays.)
Since getting past ride-along stage, I've been just shy of begging for more hours. I want to be working something in the neighborhood of 40hrs/wk, but I've not been given even half that. I'm not making rent, let alone utilities. Cheapass food only.

I'm still slow on the job. I have yet to finish my 9hr primary alone. The two Saturdays I've been scheduled to try, we got Monday levels of everything and late trucks with more Amazon. When I last asked about other offices, PM said I needed to get faster and successfully deliver the full route myself. And he let slip that he's gotten calls from other offices who found out he's got a new RCA, but turned them down.

I kinda get where the PM is coming from, I guess.
But, I also need more hours so I can keep practicing and get faster.

Including orientation and academy and getting called in to take an express once and now two whole sundays /s, I've only worked 35 days, how am I supposed to be "fast enough"? And when another office needs relief and doesn't get it, isn't it better for a n00b to take as much of the route as possible than for it to not get done at all or have to be carried by the PM or something?

But he's only scheduling me to run half the route once or twice a week, with the R2 or Aux regular taking the other half. I wouldn't strictly mind the half-route thing if I were in every day.

So, I guess I'm asking how to negotiate for more hours, anywhere, without getting myself into more trouble than it's worth.
Or... should I re-apply to switch crafts to CCA, or just a larger rural office?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
Click to expand...
 
btdtret said:
WarrenSensei -- You seem to be in a no-win situation. You want to get faster on your primary route but that is not likely to happen when you only work one day or so a week AND that day is buried in mail.

-- Be sure to check the schedule and if you are not scheduled, you could contact other area post offices about being available -- however, make sure to tell them up front that you are not getting enough time at you present post office to improve your over all speed. But are more than willing to help out. That might get you extra hours running parcels or maybe filling in on a small AUX.
Click to expand...
Schedule? There is no schedule. I'm lucky to find out the day before. Technically, even the Monday isn't "scheduled", I still need to ask or be told to come in.
 
Short answer, you can transfer. Larger office with many rural routes .
You need a good system and then stick with it.
I used to float offices and did 51 different routes. Had a system.

Every route had a folder.

I would “map” the case. Is it book or carousel? Does it start at the top or bottom of the case? Then color code roads on that map. This will show you by color where the skips are if you keep coming back onto Main Street and where the heck it is in the case.

I would have up to 4 sheets in sleeves- left, middle, right case, wing.

Also, I had an alphabetical list of all street names and where they occurred in the case. Main St- LC row 3, 5
Wing row 4, 5
When I couldn’t find it on my case map, the alphabetical list worked. Sometimes you get flustered. Have a backup, so list worked.

Get line of travel 4003 .
Make dummy cards for weird turns, ndcdbu locations, etc. for casing in appropriate slots just before pulldown.

Get a shoulder bag of essentials: parcel markers, scissors, pens, whatever you use in a day. Some offices have poor supplies. Put your folder in it.

I cased all mail. Postmasters hated this, but I was last to leave, first or second one back. It’s the only way to learn a route.

I mark all packages with parcel markers. For medium to large boxes, I use magic marker on end nearest barcode. I write 12 ath for 12 Atherton. I draw a circle Next to that. Parcel marker in case, get next. ID it, parcel marker, place in route order from 12 Atherton. Once finished, parcels in route order, I number 1-89 Or whatever it takes.
I load first half backwards (bottom to top so top is first address) in truck by looking at circled number, just behind my left elbow in cargo, stacking with my ID info facing me.

Follow your circled numbers for storing 2nd half of route.

For fitters or spurs, place in mailtray. Start with one, place parcel marker in case. Second spur, parcel marker, place in tray in route order.

I use orange for bigs, pink for trayed fitters. Humongous ones get red. Means I gotta rear gate grab for those. You can use any color you want. Pinks are actually the forwards cards that come in pads at PO. Ask for supplies like that. They are tools and free.

Get called in? Grab your bag, your route folder, go! You can do it!

I hope something here is of help. Watch others. Use their tricks.
Best wishes to you,
Sprinter8
 
i am just going to inject this here, because i do not understand why this becomes a problem with a lot of new hires,

but.

when you applied for the job, did it not say part-time, guaranteed 1 day a week?

if you are looking for part time work that is going to pay you a 40 hour work week like a full time job, then this is what i suggest:

follow the advice above to get proficient. develop a routine. keep your head down and make your 90 days. then start looking for a big office with lots of regulars and no to little RCAs and transfer in. you'll be working a lot and maybe it won't take so long to make regular. :)
 
Morty said:
Rca in my office put in his 2 weeks because of a situation like yours. Regular took a week off and by Thursday it clicked. He still quit.

I think if you can carry a route straight for a week or 2, you'll probably "get it".
Click to expand...
Yeah, this is the hump's back deal. It really takes quite awhile to get quicker. Got to get the system that fits your down, plus memory of names and number. It does not happen quickly, for sure. (If allowed) take pics of your case, and study the route thru your head at home.
Or have PM order a new set of case stickers, and lay those out at home to study. (the names/addresses attached to the case)
 
Oi veh. said:
i am just going to inject this here, because i do not understand why this becomes a problem with a lot of new hires,

but.

when you applied for the job, did it not say part-time, guaranteed 1 day a week?

if you are looking for part time work that is going to pay you a 40 hour work week like a full time job, then this is what i suggest:

follow the advice above to get proficient. develop a routine. keep your head down and make your 90 days. then start looking for a big office with lots of regulars and no to little RCAs and transfer in. you'll be working a lot and maybe it won't take so long to make regular. :)
Click to expand...
No, actually, it didn't say "1 day/week guaranteed". And I've been used to "part-time" always meaning "exactly as much work as we can squeeze out of you without needing to give you FT benefits legally".

It didn't promise 40hrs either, but during phone and in person interactions every time I asked someone if I would get enough hours to make ends meet, they said more or less the same thing "there'll be hours if you want to work them", though with just enough inflection in their voice and wording to make it clear they were not guaranteeing anything.

And, of course, I was also trusting my sister's BF who was a "casual" in previous years who assured me that there was always work and even OT available.

It's just a bit of a shock, I guess, that this system is so strangely assembled, and quite so different from anything else I've done.
 
@WarrenSensei - i'm sorry the pm (or stupe) lied to you. better get used to it if you decide to stay with the PO. i see the bastids have changed the job announcement...it used to say something to the effect of what i alluded to, so i apologize for saying something inaccurate.

every office is different, every craft is different. depends on where your sister's friend worked as well as which craft.

again, take the advice given and start shopping around other POs to transfer to. 90 days goes by quickly. good luck! :)
 
My situation is similar. Carried for a month as aI work in a farm community where my reg doesn't have to take a day of. I learned my route (300 boxes) came to our base town and learned the 6 hour aux route. Now I commute 33 miles to a big office and deliver almost everyday. I will not transfer to there I will lose mileage and not looking to retire in my state so no need for me too transfer. Learn the route. I wrote turn for turn down landmarks whatever I needed to. Case dps or flip letters for faster on the streets. Mark the large. And keep positive and stay accurate. I now know 2 routes at my branch and 2 1/2 at the other PO.
 
Talk to other RCAs. They can let you know where to go to get hours. As others have stated, some will abuse you while others will give you a chance to learn it. Sometimes they will have someone else case it and take out the big parcels so you just run the mail. Others will have you just run a portion of it so you can learn it slowly before you take it all.
After you learn a few routes, it will likely start to get easier. I'm not fast by any means, but I can hop on a new route and usually deliver it in evaluated the first time out. You just learn how to learn and you also just become more efficient.
But yeah, others will just throw you to the wolves. If you want some tips on getting faster, you can check out my youtube channel. I use the same user name.
 
My situation is similar. Carried for a month as aI work in a farm community where my reg doesn't have to take a day of. I learned my route (300 boxes) came to our base town and learned the 6 hour aux route. Now I commute 33 miles to a big office and deliver almost everyday. I will not transfer to there I will lose mileage and not looking to retire in my state so no need for me too transfer. Learn the route. I wrote turn for turn down landmarks whatever I needed to. Case dps or flip letters for faster on the streets. Mark the large. And keep positive and stay accurate. I now know 2 routes at my branch and 2 1/2 at the other PO.
 
I just wanted to add one thing to my comment (I don't know how to edit on this site lol) my speed also depends on the vehicle as well. If I am in my POV (MIDDLE driver) I am slower. If I am in a rhd in llv or metris I tend to be faster and more accurate. My POV is a Camery with console out and I am older so it takes me a minute or 2 to get in and out.
 
Main thing I will tell you as RCA soon to be regular.

Talk to other RCAs is #1. You can find hours that way. Shoot my area, there is a ton of them (Central southern IL). I could easily work 6 days a week if needed, but I know my regular is a farmer so I slow down my schedule a bit in April/May & Sept/Oct so I know I can work his days. But rest of the year I'm working minimum 4 days a week.

Your office may be able to help to (ONLY DO I MEAN ONLY DO THIS IF YOU HAVE A GOOD SUPERVISOR). They can tell you offices that are shorthanded in your area, but they can also throw you under the bus easy enough too.
 
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