Busy season for letter carriers. One thing you can do to help

Back in March 2020, early in the pandemic, we got a call from a local USPS letter carrier who asked us to share a request with you. The carrier called again with a simple request for this busy time of year, when they and their colleagues are working long hours: Leave your porch light on. During these short days, they are delivering in the dark more often than you might know. If you’re getting notifications about mail/package deliveries, fetch them as soon as you can. And a few final words – Like so many businesses, the USPS too is shortstaffed right now; be kind and patient with them too.

CarDriver December 14, 2021 (8:56 pm)

Pick up your mail!! My carrier laughs at the number of people that he can’t deliver to because their mailbox is jammed full. Also, don’t forget porch pirates are also going after mail. Most carriers deliver around the same time so get to know their schedule and get your mail soon after it’s been delivered. If you’re going to be out of town stop your mail. The yellow card is available at the post office. It’s VERY quick and easy to fill out. They’ll hold while you’re gone. It’s easy and safe as your mail is secure at the post office.

Roms December 15, 2021 (3:16 pm)

Even easier: You can request your mail to be hold via the USPS website. But you need to anticipate that the very first time you do it as they may you a letter to verify you are effectively living at the said address.

John December 14, 2021 (8:59 pm)

They’re not kidding about early! Package delivered at 5:30am today. Luckily not nabbed before I woke up and saw the notification!

miws December 15, 2021 (3:34 pm)

John, Same for me yesterday. I’ve had 2 or 3 other recent package deliveries come at about 6:30 am —Mike

Chaz December 14, 2021 (9:01 pm)

Take your time guys and gals, we appreciate everything you do. Best of luck making it through the next few weeks!

onion December 14, 2021 (9:01 pm)

I certainly don’t blame the carriers, no matter what time they arrive — or when we don’t get a mail delivery at all (on too many days).. But the deterioration of mail service absolutely deserves our anger. And the main culprits are Trump’s henchmen.

Auntie December 14, 2021 (9:10 pm)

Our regular letter carrier is a gem. Always cheerful and tries to be sure we get our packages he delivers right away. On the other hand, when he has a day off and they pawn his route off onto someone else (who probably already had their own route), we frequently get the notice that there was no access to our street or mailbox – which is totally untrue … in other words, they were overwhelmed and just decided to skip us. That leaves a double load for our regular guy when he comes back from his day off. It is not the letter carriers’ fault. LeJoy is running the entire system into the ground.

OneTimeCharley December 15, 2021 (3:38 am)

I recently shipped a small flat rate box via priority mail and discovered that there is a 25% seasonal surcharge now on postage for items shipped in the weeks prior to Christmas. I don’t recall this being the case in the past, and of course simply paid it. My question is, does anyone else remember a seasonal postage surcharge on small flat rate priority mail boxes? Is this more DeJoy gamesmanship? I can’t wait to see him go. Worst since Carvin’ Marvin Runyon! Our carrier though is the greatest. His name begins with an ‘M’ and ends in a ‘Y’ and he is the best postperson we could ever hope for!

alki_2008 December 18, 2021 (11:54 pm)

The holiday surcharge is from late-Oct to Dec-26, then the prices will come down a bit until they increase again on Jan-9. Flat rate packages are increasing $1. A sizable increase considering current price.
WS Res December 19, 2021 (10:00 am)

Yes, this is a DeJoy thing. The usual “we [at the USPS] have no money” lie, without mentioning that Republicans have forced the agency to pre-fund its pensions far enough ahead to deliberately cripple the agency’s budget no matter how much it charges. And, it’s not a corporation – it’s a Constitutionally established federal service! The Army doesn’t have to “pay for itself.” Problem is, the USPS is a well-liked government service, and you can’t convince people the government is actively bad unless you make it actively bad.

KT December 15, 2021 (4:50 am)

I went to the Westwood Station yesterday and the person who helped me said customers have been exceptionally rude and nasty this year. (I’d asked her how her day was going.)Please remember to be kind to these (and all) front-line workers.

CarDriver December 15, 2021 (6:52 am)

Auntie. When a carrier is off their route is added on to another carrier’s route. That does mean that they may run out of time(or energy)and not finish delivering. I’ve been suspicious of that happening. But DeJoy is not completely at fault. Post offices have had help wanted sign’s since pre pandemic. Like other employers they’re unable to make people work for them.

Anne December 15, 2021 (7:25 am)

A post mentioned filling out yellow card to stop mail if you’ll be gone- even easier -you can do it online.USPS send you a confirmation of the start date & a reminder a day or two before the stop date.

CorkyPost December 15, 2021 (7:39 am)

Living in apartments for most of my adult life, I’m also amazed at the number of people who move and don’t go online to provide the post office a change-of-address for their new location so unforseen mail can then be forwarded. I’ve seen all sorts of things that end up being tossed in the mailbox recycle bin like work paychecks, insurance rebate premiums, class action checks, etc. that I think people would actually want. On a side note, I’ve never had many issues with first class mail service but I haven’t received my most recent Chase bill for some reason. Supposedly mail coming from out of state starting in October is no longer being put on planes and is entirely by ground. Maybe the switch has caused some issues. On another note, I’ve noticed that my letter carrier is dumping the ad circulars for other houses in our mailbox recycle bin which is interesting.

Pedestrian December 15, 2021 (10:26 am)

I second the call for homes to turn on porch lights and/or property lights. As a pedestrian walking home from the bus stop or walking my dog, the dark sidewalks are sometimes tough to navigate. I know I would appreciate it! I am reminded of the saying “lights on for safety” while driving and often think this can go for our homes as well.I’ve seen the postal carriers and other delivery services out in the dark, we thank you!

Jeb December 15, 2021 (4:18 pm)

What can you do legally for xmas tips?

tom December 16, 2021 (4:39 am)

$20, fold, fold. place in palm. face intended, extend hand. look eye, always look eye. shake and thank verbally. release all. immediately turn 180° and walk, do not stop for any reason.

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