You Know You Are Old When

[Eagle1]

I know that all the rural carriers here are contract, as is the local postal station. I'm sure it varies by location.
Not assumption

 

[WinterDeere]

Also remember that many many rural and hwy routes are contracted out for service. The contractor bids on the routes and there are NO benefits from USPS beyond payment of contract. NOTE even some in town routes are run by private contractors.
If you carrier does not drive a USPS vehicle they are likely not a USPS employee.

I'm about 99% sure this isn't true. I've known several USPS employees who use their personal vehicle for delivery.

Many of them bought up the old official USPS Jeeps, when they were eliminated from the fleet. So they're driving a vehicle that's marked "USPS", and looks every bit as official as the old thing, but it's their personal vehicle.

I talk to my carrier a few times per week, since I run a business out of the house and she's always bringing packages to the door. I'll try to remember to ask her about this.

 

[Eagle1]

I'm about 99% sure this isn't true. I've known several USPS employees who use their personal vehicle for delivery.

Many of them bought up the old official USPS Jeeps, when they were eliminated from the fleet. So they're driving a vehicle that's marked "USPS", and looks every bit as official as the old thing, but it's their personal vehicle.

I talk to my carrier a few times per week, since I run a business out of the house and she's always bringing packages to the door. I'll try to remember to ask her about this.

AI Overview

A USPS contract carrier is an independent contractor or company that provides mail and package delivery services for the U.S. Postal Service, rather than being a direct USPS employee. These contractors operate under Contract Delivery Service (CDS) agreements, often focusing on specific routes, especially in rural areas. They are responsible for their own expenses, like fuel and vehicle maintenance, and must meet USPS requirements to bid on and secure contracts, which often involves using their own vehicles.

Key Characteristics of a USPS Contract Carrier

• Independent Contractor: They are not USPS employees but work as independent business owners.
  
  
• Route-Specific Service: Services are typically provided on pre-defined routes.
  
  
• • No Federal Benefits: Unlike USPS employees, contract carriers do not receive federal benefits.
  • Responsible for Own Expenses: They must cover costs for their vehicle, fuel, maintenance, and other operational needs.
  • Use Their Own Vehicles: Most contract positions require carriers to use their own vehicles, which must meet specific USPS size and capacity requirements.

How to Become a USPS Contract Carrier

1. • Register as a Supplier:
     You must register your business with the USPS through their eSourcing system to do business with them.
   • Find and Bid on Contracts:
     After registration, you can search for open contracts on the SAM.gov website or other platforms.
   • Meet USPS Requirements:
     You'll need to meet specific qualifications, which often include having a valid driver's license, driving experience, and potentially a background check.
   • Fulfill Contract Duties:
     If awarded a contract, you'll be responsible for timely and efficient mail and package delivery on your assigned route.

AND
you can have this
Contract Postal Units

 

[deserteagle71]

Also remember that many many rural and hwy routes are contracted out for service. The contractor bids on the routes and there are NO benefits from USPS beyond payment of contract. NOTE even some in town routes are run by private contractors.
If you carrier does not drive a USPS vehicle they are likely not a USPS employee.

Here in northern Nevada all the rural carriers are contractors.

 

[WinterDeere]

AI Overview

A USPS contract carrier is an independent contractor or company that provides mail and package delivery services for the U.S. Postal Service, rather than being a direct USPS employee. These contractors operate under Contract Delivery Service (CDS) agreements, often focusing on specific routes, especially in rural areas. They are responsible for their own expenses, like fuel and vehicle maintenance, and must meet USPS requirements to bid on and secure contracts, which often involves using their own vehicles.

Key Characteristics of a USPS Contract Carrier

• Independent Contractor: They are not USPS employees but work as independent business owners.
  
  
• Route-Specific Service: Services are typically provided on pre-defined routes.
  
  
• • No Federal Benefits: Unlike USPS employees, contract carriers do not receive federal benefits.
  • Responsible for Own Expenses: They must cover costs for their vehicle, fuel, maintenance, and other operational needs.
  • Use Their Own Vehicles: Most contract positions require carriers to use their own vehicles, which must meet specific USPS size and capacity requirements.

How to Become a USPS Contract Carrier

1. • Register as a Supplier:
     You must register your business with the USPS through their eSourcing system to do business with them.
   • Find and Bid on Contracts:
     After registration, you can search for open contracts on the SAM.gov website or other platforms.
   • Meet USPS Requirements:
     You'll need to meet specific qualifications, which often include having a valid driver's license, driving experience, and potentially a background check.
   • Fulfill Contract Duties:
     If awarded a contract, you'll be responsible for timely and efficient mail and package delivery on your assigned route.

AND
you can have this
Contract Postal Units

Interesting. But I think most of our local carriers are USPS eployees, and using their own vehicles. I'll ask how it works today, but that was my understanding from a similar conversation with two prior conversations with USPS employees, several years ago.

 

[orezok]

Here in northern Nevada all the rural carriers are contractors.

Here in the Mojave, all the deliveries outside the "city" are by "Highway Contractors". Which means that they will only deliver to mail boxes on paved roads. No deliveries on dirt roads.

 

[Eagle1]

Interesting. But I think most of our local carriers are USPS eployees, and using their own vehicles. I'll ask how it works today, but that was my understanding from a similar conversation with two prior conversations with USPS employees, several years ago.

I'm sure that could be the case, but here the carrier is contract and she hires fill in drivers or sometimes just people to run the route instead of herself. I think she has multiple routes now and hires people to do the actual work.

Just like FedEx ground is a contract company out of Rolla around here and there is NO telling what kind of vehicle they will drive any given day. FedEx Express is company run out of St.Louis

 

[WinterDeere]

Well almost 4pm here, so I guess I missed the mail lady today. She usually swings thru before 3pm. Will keep an eye out in coming days.

 

[sixdogs]

How about when your youth was filled with people born 2 centuries prior?

I remember plenty of people born in the late 19th century, three of my great-grandparents among them, and now we're in the 21st. But I'm not that old, I suspect some of you might remember people born before the Civil War!

I'm the baby of the family by 18 years. My father was born in 1905 and likely in the old country. He also was the baby of the family and his parents were born in the era of the US civil war. My grandparents.

Their parents, my great-grandparents were born around 1830. That is nearly 200 years with three generations. It boggles me.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm sure that could be the case, but here the carrier is contract and she hires fill in drivers or sometimes just people to run the route instead of herself. I think she has multiple routes now and hires people to do the actual work.

Just like FedEx ground is a contract company out of Rolla around here and there is NO telling what kind of vehicle they will drive any given day. FedEx Express is company run out of St.Louis

I liked when contract carriers would use the magnetic signs on the job… do they even make magnetic anymore?