When I first started, I had 2 days of orientation. At orientation I was told to go sit against a wall at the plant and stay there for 8 hours each day. I was told," you're a rural. We have no idea what that is...I'm sure they'll explain it when you get to your office." So I sat on a chair next to the time clock for 16 horrible hours. There was no academy at this time.
Showed up at my office for training and was immediately thrown on walking city swings for two weeks because they were short staffed. I worked city routes for a month before they ever let me near the rural side. Finally got to train on a rural route, which happened to also be a walking route?, and then was told to come in a 4 am and clerk until 8 am, do my assigned whatever rural route( no training on new rts) and come back to carry a city swing or two.
Not going to lie. I thought at the time, this is the most inefficient, mismanaged, corrupt company I've ever seen. Sadly, I look back and those were the good days.
Management was actually capable of scheduling and carrying routes, working the stamp counter, dispatching trucks. Yes, nepotism ruled the day even back then, but they wouldn't promote anyone who couldn't physically carry the mail at the end of the day. I have heard of some current unicorn offices were all employees work together well. I've never seen on though. And I've been to hundreds of offices.