Really sad, angry, frustrated and confused. I'm a mess.

[Wilson897]

First, HELLO everyone.

Second, a newbie and JUST discovered this site/forum by accident.

Not sure where to begin........ all I can say is, what a f@!%^* up hiring process. I'm new to all of this this - mail carrier and the USPS. Back in Sept. I decided to apply for a local RCA position in my PA area - East Stroudsburg. Took the 474 (??) exam via USPS online with a score of 96. The exam was fairly easy for the most part, though some parts were down-right confusing. (I believe this is the NEW hiring process and the old exam was much harder.... so I heard).

Fast-forward to current, I applied to 4 RCA positions in the local post offices around this part of PA. and 1 CCA position (on the pre-hired listed ?). Got job offers for all 4 positions (RCA) and ONLY accepted one of the RCA position. When through the ENTIRE process of doing the 2 background checks, drug, vehicle/drivers record, etc etc. I guess I passed them all......??

Now, this is where [they... HR...?] threw a wrench in the mix. Mine you, I had ZERO... yes ZERO interview. Now it is time for me to do the finger printing and vehicle check. Got two emails one saying one thing and the other saying something else..... about doing the finger printing and vehicle check. Okay, I decided to email whoever that person is, in the next town. The person called me and after provided some useful infos. said, what type of vehicle you have. After that, the person said that is not the right vehicle cause it is NOT big enough and you may need get a mini van or a Honda CRV to hold the mail and packages.

I was about to climb the walls. I knew the job ad said - you will have to use/supply your own vehicle, but nothing about how big, they type, the maker, the console size, etc etc. WHY ... WHY is it they made me going through this entire process, to only tell me this towards the end...??? I REALLY wish they would have either post this info in the RCA job ad or at least let the newbies know ahead of time before proceeding ahead with the rest of the endless paper work ?. This is ass backwards of doing things.

I REALLY REALLY wanted to give this job a good try as I love my area and exploring in my car when I can and thought it might be a good fit for me. I did not mind the part-time work and would get a newer car/SUV further down the road, once I knew for sure that this is what I really what to do. They didn't even allow me a chance, load me a LLV for a few months until I decided to go ahead with a new vehicle. Yes, I can purchase a new/use car/SUV and trade my old one in, but I wanted to know first IF this is what I wanted. It just felt like a BIG F U in my face. Not sure whether to withdrew that application and wait for the CCA position OR IF I withdrew, will that affect the CCA position that seems to be in limbo.

This is SO discouraging and messy messy of USPS to be doing this type of hiring. Even IF decent, good, hard working individual wants to give USPS a try, then they certainly has a way of getting the new hires to run over to the private sector. ANY ADIVCE would be nice and I THANK YOU ALL!

 

[oi veh.]

Hello and welcome!

Yes, the new hiring process is ridiculous.

Yes, the job posting should indicate the size of vehicle needed.

But.

This is the USPS. Logic and reason don't exist here.

Don't buy new. Buy a junker until you know this is for you.

And if you get an offer for the CCA, take it and resign your RCA position.

That's all I got. Good luck!!

 

[gerl2]

Hello and welcome!

Yes, the new hiring process is ridiculous.

Yes, the job posting should indicate the size of vehicle needed.

But.

This is the USPS. Logic and reason don't exist here.

Don't buy new. Buy a junker until you know this is for you.

And if you get an offer for the CCA, take it and resign your RCA position.

That's all I got. Good luck!!

Glad you are not the person hiring or are you? ?

 

[hockey94]

Take the CCA position if at all possible, the positives far out weigh the negatives. In many places the CCA position is not really part time, and the same can be said about the RCA position.

Good Luck !!!

 

[Altoonaflyer]

We have a history of taking things that work and turning into something that doesn’t! 30 years ago, while still in college, usps didn’t bother telling me orientation wasn’t just the one day I was told to report on. Luckily had some understanding profs during that finals week...and I learned a lot about my future employer, the lack of information, and the general institutional confusion that exists. Welcome to the Post Office, find some local carriers to talk to and go cca if possible.

 

[Morty]

Im surprised orientation doesn't come with an orange jumpsuit and an ankle monitor. Because we care about your safety.

 

[gerl2]

Can we encourage any more RCA's to bail. Sad but so true, I even mentioned the same to our new sub. 1} If your not crazy this job is not for you 2) if you don't like working for free this job is not for you. 3) If your don't like the constant demoralizing this job is not for you 4) If you can't see at night this job is not for you 5) If you can't bend over this job is not for you.

 

[csparks]

If you are young, and without desperate need of insurance, RCA is also likely not for you UNLESS you can land in an office with an LLV (USPS truck) route to work on. Supplying your own vehicle is tiresome, and requires lots of maintenance, and car knowledge.

 

[Shafted]

Decline the RCA offer, and wait for the CCA spot. The rural carrier craft is the most abused craft by management. You are already getting a taste of how shitty the USPS is. Not having to deal with a vehicle requirement is a big plus. As a cca you will get paid for each and every minute you work. As an RCA you will NOT. I just retired 7 months ago after 27 years, and as a CCA, all of your time is creditable service for retirement. As an RCA, it is not.

 

[Wilson897]

Hello and welcome!

Yes, the new hiring process is ridiculous.

Yes, the job posting should indicate the size of vehicle needed.

But.

This is the USPS. Logic and reason don't exist here.

Don't buy new. Buy a junker until you know this is for you.

And if you get an offer for the CCA, take it and resign your RCA position.

That's all I got. Good luck!!

Thank You, Oi Veh.... ?.... love the name. I emailed HR... whoever at that post office where I had to go and get my finger printing done and decline the job offer.... or at least this part of it. Hope they kept the rest of the paper work (background, drug, etc) that can be used for the CCA position.

 

[Wilson897]

Holy Batman... I’ve heard of the issues with the new system, but didn’t realize the process has become so confusing in the actual job you are doing....

If you’d rather the post office supply the vehicle definitely take the CCA position if available.

Advice I give new rcas concerning vehicles would be to search RHD (right hand drive) vehicles on your local Craigslist or Facebook sometimes carriers are trying to get rid of their vehicles either no need for them, retiring, or resigning.

Other option I did was bought a used 2004 Ford Explorer back in 2010 for around 6000. If you can find an older suv or mini van for around 3000-4000 there are places that will convert it for around 2000. So you would only be into the vehicle for 5000-6000, and that vehicle will be able to handle the package volume.

As for training and learning best advice I could give is be a sponge. When you are in your office ask any and every question you can think of to the carriers around you. There are no stupid questions. We can show you what we do as experienced carriers, but you have to take that knowledge and apply it to your situation and what works best for you.

Remember don’t rush yourself. Speed will come in time. Work slower to improve in order to eventually be faster.

We all do something a bit different than the other. There isn’t a right or wrong way to deliver the mail. It’s whatever method that works best for you while putting your safety fist and foremost.

Good Luck and there are plenty of resources and great people with the experience to help you out.

Hey Rural Deviation, I DID a search on car fax and found two cheap Honda CRV, BUT..... too much mileage and I have a STRONG feeling they both are in need of some serious repairs. Something I'm NOT willing to do since I don't know IF I will like the job and to do all fo this for something I don't know about, is crazy. Thank YOU for your advice as well, VERY useful and can apply to the CCA position as well.

 

[Wilson897]

Take the CCA position if at all possible, the positives far out weigh the negatives. In many places the CCA position is not really part time, and the same can be said about the RCA position.

Good Luck !!!

Thanks, I WILL take the CCA.... when the main post office sends the job offer. Currently, I sitting in the pre-hired list and god knows how LONG that might take. I DID apply to another CCA position, 1 hour away, outside of the Allentown area. Whether I hear back from them or not, is coin-toss. That is what I have been hearing, reading, watching - the CCA position is more full-time and paid on the hour.

 

[Wilson897]

We have a history of taking things that work and turning into something that doesn’t! 30 years ago, while still in college, usps didn’t bother telling me orientation wasn’t just the one day I was told to report on. Luckily had some understanding profs during that finals week...and I learned a lot about my future employer, the lack of information, and the general institutional confusion that exists. Welcome to the Post Office, find some local carriers to talk to and go cca if possible.

I was planning on lurking near the main post office ( behind the bushes ) here, to see IF I can talk to someone, but was advise NOT to. I also think it's a bad idea. I'll just have to wait and see - play that game.

 

[Wilson897]

If you are young, and without desperate need of insurance, RCA is also likely not for you UNLESS you can land in an office with an LLV (USPS truck) route to work on. Supplying your own vehicle is tiresome, and requires lots of maintenance, and car knowledge.

I supply my own health insurance and dental for now . Have a 2001 Toyota Camry that I LOVE with low mileage. The damn car is SO quiet and comfortable and can take some beating. Use winter tires in the winter so that I can climb these hills around here. I'm not willing to give it up as of yet and the idea of buying another to do this job when I haven't given it a try, is nuts.

 

[Wilson897]

Decline the RCA offer, and wait for the CCA spot. The rural carrier craft is the most abused craft by management. You are already getting a taste of how shitty the USPS is. Not having to deal with a vehicle requirement is a big plus. As a cca you will get paid for each and every minute you work. As an RCA you will NOT. I just retired 7 months ago after 27 years, and as a CCA, all of your time is creditable service for retirement. As an RCA, it is not.

Thank You as well . I, today, declined the offer and told them I'm going to wait on the CCA position, whichever one of the two post office gives the offer. This might take weeks to months.... who knows...... I WAS thinking about trading my beloved 2001 Toyota Camry for a newer bigger car/SUV, but realized it was a bad idea and frankly, NUTS, to get a new car for job that I haven no experience in or might keep.

 

[Jarod1231]

They didn't even allow me a chance, load me a LLV for a few months until I decided to go ahead with a new vehicle.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news... but LLVs are assigned to routes, not people... and they don't have enough of them as is.. loaning one out to you until you figure out if you really want to do this job was never an option.

 

[Wilson897]

WOW, you guys/ladies are SO damn helpful! Again, I thank YOU! With your help and mine at home, I when ahead and decline and HOPED for the offer for the CCA - applied to one that will close in a day and the other, on the pre-hired list. Just a side note about me - in my mid 40's and hopeless when it comes to job/work. A college grad with a BS and a decent GPA. Worked a lot in my 20's/30's while in school. Had life issues to to deal with and was out of work for a LONG time. So that looks horrible on me résumé. Trying to get something going for myself, mind, body and old age so I won't be in the poor house and eating bread and milk. NOT into getting help for the government and don't want to. Though I have family money to back me up, I rather earn my own and have a comfortable old age. Worked for Amazon Warehouse(s), yes, I know, at TWO warehouses and Chewy - the worst.

It's has been a struggle to land a decent job for me and I'm currently in bind - go back to work for Amazon-$16 an hour (which is 1.10mins away) ( they will gladly take me back, only p/t), take 12hr a week job at Dollar General-$10 an hour (which is 25 mins away) OR........ wait on the post office. With Amazon, I can start work next week, BUT IF I quit and IF the CCA job was offered. I will have to wait over a year to go back to Amazon. At Dollar General, it's a coin-toss as to whether to take the job, and then quit for the post office. Anyway, going to wait until Monday evening to make a choice. My crazy life, my god.

 

[Wilson897]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news... but LLVs are assigned to routes, not people... and they don't have enough of them as is.. loaning one out to you until you figure out if you really want to do this job was never an option.

I understand. I was just playing with that idea ?. Someone said on a post here... not sure when or how long, that the USPS ought to have a "trial period" for newbies to see IF they really want this job... for a a day or two. But then again, that is just a fantasy.

 

[gerl2]

Thanks, I WILL take the CCA.... when the main post office sends the job offer. Currently, I sitting in the pre-hired list and god knows how LONG that might take. I DID apply to another CCA position, 1 hour away, outside of the Allentown area. Whether I hear back from them or not, is coin-toss. That is what I have been hearing, reading, watching - the CCA position is more full-time and paid on the hour.

I hope you are in good physical shape cause if your not you will be, just remember you will be out in the weather rain, snow, sleet and thunderstorms. You will enjoy the beautiful weather and everyone will want your job until you are walking in the blizzard, heat wave. If you are looking for more hours and abuse go to the bigger offices. ? Good luck hopefully one day things will change.

 

[Wilson897]

I hope you are in good physical shape cause if your not you will be, just remember you will be out in the weather rain, snow, sleet and thunderstorms. You will enjoy the beautiful weather and everyone will want your job until you are walking in the blizzard, heat wave. If you are looking for more hours and abuse go to the bigger offices. ? Good luck hopefully one day things will change.

Hehehehe....... you're funny. Looking for more hours and abuse ...... OH BOY! Can't wait. The post offices around here are on the small side, expect for the main one that is large, sort of. Don't mine the cold weather, I HATE summer -end of June to late August. My problem is, I need to eat more - a bit of skin and bones. The problem would be the wind. A heavy gust is more likely to blow me over, send me flying down the road.