Well, due to the economy, I took a job at one of the local post offices. I applied in June, did all of the application on-line, went down to Bristol TN for my fingerprints during the 4th of July week. Then I waited, and waited, and waited. I sent an email to the personnel person in the latter part of October.
Finally, I received an e-mail to go to a one-day orientation on Saturday, November 5th in Roanoke VA. I went and learned that I would be working as a distribution clerk in the back, rather than working at the front counter, selling stamps, taking packages, etc. Well OK, let's see how that goes. I started on Monday the 7th.
I reported in at 6AM and learn that "distribution" means unloading boxes and packages from pallets and taking them to the various route locations, where the carriers then have to load them in their vehicles. Packages can be as light as 2 oz or as heavy as 65 pounds. Once all the packages are sent to the routes, which can take 3-4 hours, then the post office boxes receive their mail. Once that chore is complete, packages for PO boxes have to either put in the large lockers or in the back, to be picked up at the counter.
After the PO boxes have been serviced, then you can take your lunch break. Now here is one of the FUN things-lunch can be 1-4 hours. Then you come back and do more packages.
Oh, I forgot. Almost EVERYTHING has to be scanned, over and over again. The pallets are wrapped in plastic and have a bar code on the outside. Then each package has a bar code. You have to scan the packages as arrived and then scanned again by the carriers or by the clerks, as in when they go to the PO boxes.
So, it takes almost 12 hours to work an 8 hour or more shift. I didn't go into the other stuff that needs to be done daily, like sorting out mail with bad addresses, missent mail, etc.
Anyway, I lasted 5 weeks before my back, both knees and both feet said enough. Yes, the post office has problems, but there are some folks doing a lot of hard work to get your mail to you every day.
Finally, I received an e-mail to go to a one-day orientation on Saturday, November 5th in Roanoke VA. I went and learned that I would be working as a distribution clerk in the back, rather than working at the front counter, selling stamps, taking packages, etc. Well OK, let's see how that goes. I started on Monday the 7th.
I reported in at 6AM and learn that "distribution" means unloading boxes and packages from pallets and taking them to the various route locations, where the carriers then have to load them in their vehicles. Packages can be as light as 2 oz or as heavy as 65 pounds. Once all the packages are sent to the routes, which can take 3-4 hours, then the post office boxes receive their mail. Once that chore is complete, packages for PO boxes have to either put in the large lockers or in the back, to be picked up at the counter.
After the PO boxes have been serviced, then you can take your lunch break. Now here is one of the FUN things-lunch can be 1-4 hours. Then you come back and do more packages.
Oh, I forgot. Almost EVERYTHING has to be scanned, over and over again. The pallets are wrapped in plastic and have a bar code on the outside. Then each package has a bar code. You have to scan the packages as arrived and then scanned again by the carriers or by the clerks, as in when they go to the PO boxes.
So, it takes almost 12 hours to work an 8 hour or more shift. I didn't go into the other stuff that needs to be done daily, like sorting out mail with bad addresses, missent mail, etc.
Anyway, I lasted 5 weeks before my back, both knees and both feet said enough. Yes, the post office has problems, but there are some folks doing a lot of hard work to get your mail to you every day.
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