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New RCA in Training with Questions

Milk man... I can tell from your posts you have a little bit on the ball... do your research... I think you'll find that becoming an RCA is not likely to lead you to where you say you want to go...

I'm just trying to be honest with you here... and trying to save you from wasting a lot of time in not getting to where you want to be...

You need to get in to a career position to apply for a USPS job in marketing... and it sounds like you have some credentials to do that... so get in a job that will more quickly get you to a position where you can apply for those other jobs... and I'ma tellin' ya... RCA ain't it...

RCA is the SLOWEST path to a career position in the USPS...

See it, believe it... or not...  <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />
 
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>milkymint said </strong>

Thank you. You have answered my question. So you CAN apply for other positions and resign from RCA. You just can't stay an RCA and expect to move up the ladder.

So, why do people stay RCAs? Why don't they apply for other positions knowing this? Why would anyone stay an RCA for 10 years waiting to be career if there was another way. It just doesn't make sense to me.  </blockquote>
I don't want to insult anybody... but there are MANY RCAs who don't do the research you are doing... they end up where they are because they don't know any better...

How was it you described those CCA's again???  Dumb as dirt... was that it??? They're everywhere...

And, so nobody feels insulted... I was an RCA for almost 12 years... maybe I'm dumb as dirt as well...  <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />
 
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>milkymint said </strong>

Thank you. You have answered my question. So you CAN apply for other positions and resign from RCA. You just can't stay an RCA and expect to move up the ladder.

So, why do people stay RCAs? Why don't they apply for other positions knowing this? Why would anyone stay an RCA for 10 years waiting to be career if there was another way. It just doesn't make sense to me.  </blockquote>
Not all offices have the bad things that are posted here. It depends on the office, mgmt, co-workers, and whether you're in a growing area. My office has good growth. Right now our RCAs are going Regular in about 2 years. I was just under 3 years. We've had CCAs move to RCAs because they don't make regular as fast in our area AND they are worked to death & majorly micromanaged. 

There are more "freedoms" as an RCA than in the CCA or PSE positions. Rural craft do not "punch a clock" and they do. Every little task is a different "clock ring" & they have to punch in under that. They also have to take a lunch. City takes their lunch on the street & it's automatically deducted from their day. PSE have to punch out for lunch. In the Rural craft, we take ours as we see fit, if we have time. We can take 5 minutes to 30 accumulated minutes, our choice. Mgmt TRIES to micromanage us but then ends up with grievances on their desk. Under CCA & PSE, you ARE micromanaged & typically nothing can be done to stop it. 

I personally prefer the Rural craft & have been doing this for 13 yrs. There are "job fairs" in some areas for career peeps to check into changing positions. Mgmt is NOT the only way out of being a carrier. There was a Job Fair in a nearby city that Rural Carriers could attend to see about changing crafts. I know one person who now works in a Personnel-type (don't know her title) but used to be a Rural Carrier when I was an RCA. 

This is NOT an easy job whether city or rural and it's not for everyone. Good luck wherever you land.
 
If you are a milk toast type of man or woman that abhors confrontation of any kind you may be OK with a Postal job.

One of the biggest problems you will encounter if you are not, is that like any government organization there are so many rules you can't help but break some of the rules every day. If you ever make waves you will find out the obscure rule you broke that day and end up disciplined.

Example ... supervisor orders you to break rules, if you don't obey you violated a direct order, if you obey later they can lie and say they never told you to do such a thing. This game is one often played.

Either way, if you choose a Postal Career buy your anal lube in bulk at Costco cause you will need plenty
 
So, why do people stay RCAs? Why don’t they apply for other positions knowing this? Why would anyone stay an RCA for 10 years waiting to be career if there was another way. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

most of the rca's who stay: location,education,timing with children, only want parttime, dad is a mechanic, little slow, anybody else? i was a rcr then a rca for almost 15 years....so...
 
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>milkymint said </strong>

Thank you. You have answered my question. So you CAN apply for other positions and resign from RCA. You just can't stay an RCA and expect to move up the ladder.

So, why do people stay RCAs? Why don't they apply for other positions knowing this? Why would anyone stay an RCA for 10 years waiting to be career if there was another way. It just doesn't make sense to me.  </blockquote>
I think many RCA's at the 10 yr point or so, see a full time position will soon happen.

 

People after a long time become disenchanted with what they see with other positions with the PO, and stay with being an RCA.  Fear of the unknown is perhaps another reason why ppl stay with the RCA position.

I waited approx 13 yrs as an RCA for a f/t position.  For most of that time, I was in a good situation not screwed with, like so many have been and are now.

Good Luck !
 
Okay, I'll cave in and say some good things about being a Rural Carrier... <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />

I have had the opportunity to become a PTF Clerk, and a PTF City Carrier during my career... went to the interviews, and was told the job was mine if I wanted it... after the PM I spoke to about the Clerk job told me he would likely bring me in of the morning to unload the truck and move the mail around, and then send me home only to have me come back and work on getting dispatch ready in the afternoons... I said "no thank you, very much"...  on the City PTF job I actually told them I wanted it, and they selected me and I got a notice in the mail to report to my new PO... then I ran in to the fellow who had previously done the PTF City job at that PO, and he told me how they'd treat me like $#i+ and it'd be the worst job I ever had... so anyways, I chickened out and cried to my current PM, who made some phone calls and got me out of it... that was a close one...  <img title="Embarassed" alt="Embarassed" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-embarassed.gif" />

Back to the Clerk interview... the PM I spoke with told me he'd done every job in the PO, from being a Janitor, to city carrier, clerk, and even some time as an RCA... he told me, BAR NONE, the Rural Carrier job is the best job in the PO... he told me if I wanted the Clerk job I had the highest test score, and it was mine if I wanted it... but he said, you're in line to become a rural carrier in a few years, so, he said he thought I'd be a fool to take the Clerk job... and after thinking about it, I agreed... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />

So anyways, I once thought about being a Park or Forest Ranger... I like being out in the rural areas... where we get asked by DNR to count deer, rabbits, turkeys, quail, etc., etc... I was once on a rural route that was sort of city like, and I didn't like it... I'm currently on the longest and most rural route in my office, and that's where I want to stay...

So, it's like everything... you gotta take the good with the bad...  <img title="Wink" alt="Wink" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif" />
 
So, why do people stay RCAs? Why don’t they apply for other positions knowing this? Why would anyone stay an RCA for 10 years waiting to be career if there was another way. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

I stay an RCA because it's the job that fits what I need (for the most part).  My husband is the main income earner in our family.  I was a stay-home mom for many years.  There's not another job where I'm going to make $21.54 an hour part time.  I did pass up the opportunity to go full time because it didn't fit with what my family needed at the time.  

Why don't I apply for other positions?  As an RCA, I'm left alone.  I don't have management breathing down my neck like the CCAs do.  The PSEs are in the office all day - no thank you.  
 
Thanks for your responses everyone! I should clarify that I understand that there are RCAs who stay RCAs for long periods because it works with their lifestyle and schedules. I guess I was directing that comment to the people who were complaining about having been RCAs for so long when they wanted to be Regs.

I had my first day of orientation today and I asked them dead straight, how long would it take me to make career. They said for my office it's averaging 2-4 years, but they feel it might be sooner due to the growth of the office I'll be working out of. They currently have 17 rural routes and that may increase to 25-30 in the next two years. It's on the edge of town, where there is the most growth and development.

I took that with a grain of salt. Like some of you said, they are probably just blowing air up my butt. They did say though, that they might be pulling us out of training early to get us working because there are 80 RCA positions city wide, but have less than 50 staffed. Here's hoping I'll be a busy RCA.
 
Milkymint - It sounds like you will be a very busy RCA.  It is quite possible in an area of high growth potential that you will make regular quickly.  The area that I work in is quite rural, mostly farming, no growth and development going on around here.  We have three regular carriers in our office with 30+ years of service with the PO so we'll have 3 RCAs that go regular within a few years.  After that, the wait is going to be very, very long.  

The first few months as an RCA will suck more than anything else you've ever done in your life.  Add to that, you're starting out at the most difficult time of the year.   If you decide to stick it out, you'll find a system that works for you and you just might like the job.  

Good luck!
 
milkymint -- "I had my first day of orientation today and I asked them dead straight, how long would it take me to make career. They said for my office it’s averaging 2-4 years, but they feel it might be sooner due to the growth of the office I’ll be working out of. They currently have 17 rural routes and that may increase to 25-30 in the next two years. It’s on the edge of town, where there is the most growth and development."

--  As it takes a while to build a new community, try driving around the local area to see if any "coming soon" signs are popping up or any realty signs "this lot for sale".   If you know anyone in city hall, check for building permits being issued.

--  In view of this added information, it just might be worth while putting up with the BS if you could make regular in that time frame.   

--  Depending how often you actually get to work your assigned route, it usually takes about a year for things to "click" -- sooner as a fast learner.

--  If you somehow get assigned to another office ( 30 RCA's short in the city ) you can transfer to the desired office once you have completed the probationary period ( 90-work days or 1 calendar year ) by submitting a written request - provided there is an RCA vacancy.   On the down side, your seniority at the new office begins the day you report.

--  But if you have your heart set on getting in USPS marketing...it is your decision.
 
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>milkymint said </strong>
Thanks for your responses everyone! I should clarify that I understand that there are RCAs who stay RCAs for long periods because it works with their lifestyle and schedules. I guess I was directing that comment to the people who were complaining about having been RCAs for so long when they wanted to be Regs.

I had my first day of orientation today and I asked them dead straight, how long would it take me to make career. They said for my office it's averaging 2-4 years, but they feel it might be sooner due to the growth of the office I'll be working out of. They currently have 17 rural routes and that may increase to 25-30 in the next two years. It's on the edge of town, where there is the most growth and development.

I took that with a grain of salt. Like some of you said, they are probably just blowing air up my butt. They did say though, that they might be pulling us out of training early to get us working because there are 80 RCA positions city wide, but have less than 50 staffed. Here's hoping I'll be a busy RCA.  </blockquote>
The average of 2-4 years is what our RCAs are looking at too. The earliest you can move to Regular Carrier status is after 1 year  as an RCA. You have to have that 1 year of service before being able to bid on any posted routes.

The sub that used to work for me is only worried about making Regular. He cares nothing about learning the craft nor doing the job correctly. He's so worried about his seniority status that he doesn't even realize it's going to be at least a year or two more before moving up. Get the job down and the rest will come in time. Good luck!
 
I work in a growing area, with lots of "development," get tons of hours, but that doesn't make it any easier to stomach the hassles. 

1 you're one of us new contract ppl which means you'll actually probably make less $after going regular (the Holy Grail).

2 you're still represented by the nrlca which is to say you aren't.

3 hard work, although you seem up and at em, is neither valued nor rewarded.

Hooray!
 
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>milkymint said </strong>

I don't understand why it's contractual with RCA's but not CCA's. Forget management for a minute. If I wanted to become a CCA, could I apply for a CCA position, get the job, and then become a CCA after having been an RCA? Or you do you have to quit entirely and reapply.

As an RCA you're just not eligible to even apply for another position?

<strong>There are two men who are CCA's in my training class and they are both dumb as dirt. One even asked what a "parcel" was, I kid you not. The idea that they are in a better position than I am makes me ill.  </strong></blockquote>
<strong>Those two will soon become management. </strong>

<strong>Brains are not expected or required in management.</strong>
 
Maybe the Milky Way should make those 2 CCAs their idols, since they want to get in to mgt...  <img title="Wink" alt="Wink" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif" /><img title="Laugh" alt="Laugh" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif" />
 
I had day 2 of orientation today. I asked some tough questions and I think they may have been slightly annoyed. Maybe you have all taught me too much too soon. ;-)

I told them I had been hearing that there is no way for Rural Carriers to get into a management position unless they completely switched crafts somehow. 

Our instructor actually left our class to ask the HR supervisor, who said it was absolutely untrue. That anyone, once a regular/career, can apply for a management position, including Rural Carriers. I guess there are even people at the processing plant I'm having training at that started off as RCAs and are now supervisors/management, and they didn't resign, they worked their way up.

Tomorrow I have a ride-along and found out that once again they have moved me to a larger office, the office I was assigned to originally, before they switched me. There are currently 35+ rural routes at this office and it's also growing exponentially. (Our city is growing rapidly North & East.) He DID say that it would probably be 4 years before I made career. He even told one of the CCAs that he would probably never make career because the person he would be subbing for is in his mid 20s, and that he's better off moving offices if he was in it for the long run. He also told me that PSEs in our area are being cut and laid off, so PSE seems off the table.

A little honesty is refreshing. Not sure I believe 100% that RCAs can eventually become management though. Thanks so much for your help. There is so much misinformation out there.


I also want to say that I am a woman, not a Milk Man (haha!) and that I think people assume I'll quit because I won't be able to tough it out. But they are WRONG! I've never quit anything. What will force me to quit though, is if I don't make enough hours. They are saying we'll be pretty busy for a long time. It's an affluent area that is very busy and they are now using RCAs and ARCs to deliver all packages so that the RCs can just focus on the regular mail. 
 
You're learning Milky Way... <img title="Wink" alt="Wink" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif" />

The only thing that the USPS likes less than a Rural Carrier with some knowledge of how things are *supposed* to be done, is an RCA, especially a new RCA that has a clue... <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />

These online forums can be a great resource for you tho... pointing you to the information you need to look out for yourself... which working at the PO, you're gonna have to do... 

Good luck to you...  welcome to being a Rural Carrier... it's not all good, but it's not all bad either...  <img title="Cool" alt="Cool" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cool.gif" /> 
 
milkymint -- " Not sure I believe 100% that RCAs can eventually become management though."

--  To that end:

--  F-21 ( Time and Attendance handbook ), Section 585 Higher Level Assignments.

Only regular rural carriers ( Designation 71 ) may work a higher level assignment.   ( that would a supervisor position )

--  Step 4 ( H-34 / G00R-4G-C06045448 / Class action Springdale, AZ ) / USPS letter dated 7/21/06:  In part -- 

The Postal Service has an understanding with the NRLCA that we [ USPS ] do not use RCA's or RCR's in higher level assignments.

--  Step 4 ( E10R-4E-C 16006681 / Class action Omaha, NE ) 2/15/17:  In part --

In accordance with Article 25 [ Higher Level Assignments ], only regular rural carriers may be detailed to higher level assignments.  The parties agree that an RCA is not eligible to perform duties or responsibilities that are included in the job description of a Supervisor, Customer Services.
 
Milkymint, The people at the plant that you talked to were correct, you can get into management as a regular rural carrier, but not as an RCA. I had an RCA that was my sub, she became regular, worked as a regular for 2 years and became a 204-B (part time supervisor) for 2 years, resigned as a regular rural carrier and took a full time supervisor job for 2 years in an office nobody wanted, worked 3 years as supervisor in various different offices and is now a postmaster in charge of her own office. She is not the usual pm, she manages very well and likes and is liked by her employees) (rural carriers can make the best managers, because they have seen more sides of the organisation). So it is possible to move up, but it is not normal. It took her 15 years after starting out as an RCA to be a PM, but it would have been possible, if she had qualifications, as you have, to move into "open" positions through out the USPS and bid on those jobs. Usually there is a bid sheet that comes out in bigger (plant size) offices that tell of all the open jobs in a particular district. You usually have to be from (working) the district that you would like to apply in, but there has been exceptions made. I would think if you specialize in a particular field that the USPS needs, you would have a better chance to "land" one of those jobs even if it was out of your district. It would be my suggestion to contact the "Rural Reach" director in your area and explain to them where you are working and what you want to do.  Of course the reason we've all been so negative is because you first have to be a regular which has taken some of us many years. On the NRLCA web site: This was printed in 2014 and there should be something like this in your area.

<div class="center">
<h2><span id="globalContent_mainContent_lblTitle">Communications Ambassador Program</span></h2>
</div>
<div class="clear"> </div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12">The NRLCA has been notified of a program that has been implemented in some Districts across the country known as the Communications Ambassador Program.  This program has 4 different levels Senior, Lead, Area and Office.  The office Communications Ambassador is a craft employee in that office station or branch.  The intent of this program is to utilize a craft employee to disseminate information in their office on Postal related issues such as safety talks, Combined Federal Campaign, Rural Reach, Employee Recognition etc.  This information is disseminated through stand up talks and postings on employee bulletin boards.</div>
                            Good luck, Milkymint

</div>
 
MilkyMint- the only way up in the rural craft is by making it to Regular Carrier. RCAs can move to PTF or Regular Carrier but cannot move to any other craft.. Some offices don't have PTFs so RCAs can only go to Regular after 1 yr of service. From Regular Carrier you can go to mgmt or other areas. RCAs must have a minimum of 1 year in to move to Regular. Good luck in training. I say, stop worrying about what is over a year away & worry more about learning the job you have chosen. Good luck!
 
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