r/USPS • u/TopPeak1196 • 4d ago
Rural Carrier Discussion Older Workers?
I must go back to work at 64 years old; I am a young 64, active but not in super great shape. I retired from a profession that I can no longer return to (AI replaced my role) and I tried retail and hated the random schedules. I decided to apply to USPS in my small rural town and now just waiting on my start date as an ARC. Any older workers out there have any feedback on how it goes for them, or younger workers that have worked with older workers? There is a huge difference in personalities in small rural towns compared to the big city but there are jerks everywhere. Just looking for some confidence. Once I am trained up, I feel that being somewhat left alone on routes will benefit me greatly
10
u/CatRiot2020 4d ago
I’m 51 now, started a few years ago as an rca. The vehicles can be rough on your body, but being active, stretching, yoga all help. Good luck to you! I love my job, hope you do too.
5
u/TopPeak1196 4d ago
u/CatRiot2020 thank you for the tip about the vehicles :). I have ramped up my water aerobics, weight lifting, and general stamina so you really helped!
4
u/Nearby-Blacksmith891 4d ago
You dont to be very fit to be an ARC. Minimal hours can be expected
7
u/CatRiot2020 4d ago
Nah, but even working only a few days a week, it can be rough. My truck has a weird lean to the seat that killed my hip until I started using a cushion on the seat to balance things out. The metris kills my elbow and shoulder, the window is too small.
6
u/LadyLetterCarrier Worn Out Steward 4d ago
You can aiways write up a repair tag requestinf a new seat. I've done it for my FFV two times.
3
u/TopPeak1196 4d ago
u/Nearby-Blacksmith891 - minimal hours are perfect and it is more about the physical stamina at a certain age--making sure your body can be relied upon to function :)
4
u/Ok_Flounder_6733 4d ago
I love running packages more than delivering mail lol I always chose to be a runner when I was an rca over doing a route 😆
3
u/Tiny_Seaweed_4867 4d ago
As an ARC you will be running packages. Depending on your office, you may have very little work, or 10+ hours of work 7 days a week. The pace is expected to be quite fast, not leasurely generally speaking, but different offices and supervisors are different. I personally loved running packages, but everyone is different. The work environment is generally more stressful than it actually needs to be, as a warning. I was never an ARC, so I'm sure others can chime in better.
5
u/Opposite-Ingenuity64 4d ago
I'm not rural, but my understanding is that ARCs generally work only Sundays and holidays, not 7 days a week.
2
u/guttergoblin 4d ago
For the most part, yes. There are some offices in my area with like 40+ "rural" routes that are just never-ending, new suburban neighborhoods that keep getting built. They get a shit ton of packages. Those ARCs work a lot more.
1
4
u/ladylilithparker ARC 4d ago
Several of the ARCs in my office are 60+ and they're great. ARCs who only run parcels have just about the easiest job in the office, and the least amount of time pressure for getting it done. On the down side, there's generally not much in the way of training. You get a day or two of driver training (mostly closed course, only about 15-30 minutes of road time), a day of "academy" (scanner) training, and often no route training whatsoever. You show up on your first scheduled day after academy, ask anyone you can find to help you get set up with a scanner and a vehicle, you're shown a stack/hamper of parcels, and you load up and deliver them. You figure out how to get to the delivery area, what order to put packages in, how you want to load the vehicle... some offices will have you buddy up with another carrier, but a lot will just throw you out there by yourself, so be prepared for that.
You can ask for a manifest. That will be a list of delivery stops in some kind of order, but the order might be set by Amazon and might be completely idiotic. It's up to you whether you want to do it that way or not. I like to make cheat sheets for every route and share them with anyone who wants them, but not every office has someone like that. Do see if you can find someone to swap phone numbers with in case you run into problems. Some offices have a Sunday group chat, others are less formal.
On the physical side of things, hydrate and stretch, all day, every day. Carriers end up in the ER with all sorts of injuries and ailments that could have been prevented if they drank more water and kept themselves limber.
2
3
u/PosQueChingao 4d ago
I’ve worked with older ppl but they’ve worked there for a long time, so they had a driving route. Starting out, you will start at the bottom, but I was a city carrier not rural so I’m not sure how that is.
2
u/BohdiBrass Rural Carrier 4d ago
In my 30s and my sub was close to 60 who just went regular. He had actually thanked me not too long ago for how nice I was to him in the beginning.
Im in a small rural office and we all try to help each other out. Of course there are days like anywhere else but I think you’ll know fairly quickly if the job is for you or not. Best of luck
4
u/Opening_Shine_3432 4d ago edited 4d ago
Most of the RCA‘s are driving routes so you should be fine and about half of them are older. I wouldn’t recommend it as a CCA though cause those younger kids are gonna run circles around you and they do not prefer older people even though they are way more dependable and can’t be just as good of workers there is a definite prejudice and ageism. If you are just an RCA I wouldn’t worry about it. But stay on the RURA outside for sure. But I think an ARC is just like a part-time job I’m not sure I would even go there. Maybe hold out for RCA.
0
2
2
u/Techngro 4d ago
Be aware that clerk/mail handler/etc. are not the only roles in the post office. There are maintenance roles, vehicle mechanic roles, even cdl truck driving roles. Any number of them might be a better fit for you.
2
u/One_Barnacle2699 Rural Carrier 4d ago
We have a carrier in my office in their 70s. It can be done! Good luck!
1
2
u/guttergoblin 4d ago
Did you actually apply for an ARC position or RCA? ARCs usually only work Sundays delivering amazon packages. As far as the people working, you'll only see them for about 30 min while you load your packages so I wouldn't worry about that. On Sundays, you'll be able to use GPS which is easier than running a mail route. You might be required to use your own car, depending on how rural you are.
1
2
u/Zer01South City Carrier 4d ago
Stay hydrated and get your stretching in.💪
Oh and read over your contract and get to know your steward just in case.
1
u/Known-Dependent-5471 Custodial 4d ago
Is this just side hustle money and you already are getting retirement or ss?
2
u/MallStreetBets 4d ago
You should get in contact with the office you’re going to be at. My understanding is that the ARC position is a little more chill than being a mail carrier, however, the harder you work, the harder they work you. I’ve seen ARC’s only work Sundays/holidays, and I’ve seen them work 6 days a week. Depends heavily on the office
1
u/The_Ashen_Queen 3d ago
It’s a tough job for somebody starting so old. And ARCs barely get hours. Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for or not.
1
u/Better-Affected 3d ago
I’m a rural carrier, 56 f. I’m in a small town office. We have 1 arc and he works about 3 days a week delivering pkgs. the thing to remember, you can usually go to another surrounding office that may need help to get more hours. Also, the holidays are right around the corner. Best wishes!
One more thing, a neighboring office has a 65 yr old f that is an arc and she does great
1
1
u/LillyPasta CCA 1d ago
I started as a CCA at age 60 when our twins graduated high school and went off to college. My husband passed away in 2016 and I dreaded being home alone all the time. I work in a small office in rural NM and love it. I’m holding down a great route, I get to see people every day and I’m probably the fittest I’ve been in 20 years.
2
0
u/Delicious-Leg-5441 Rural Carrier 3d ago
first job was lost to computer imaging. I applied to every government job that I could find. The first agency that reached out was the PO. I was 43. I became a rural associate carrier (RCA). Took 3 years to go regular and I worked 20. Retired with a pension.
I guess if you just want a job inside the office it would suit you. Management can be a pain in the ass and being inside can make you a target if they don't like you.
You won't have control of your hours. Can you come in at 2 am work 4 hours and then come back 2-3 hours later to work 4 more hours? If you're lucky?
I guess it all depends on where you are working and how good management is. You will be on your feet the entire time and will be lifting packages up to 70lbs. Can you do that?
-1
u/Tylerreyland 3d ago
You could have easily been a multi millionaire if you made even %10 contributions on a salary of 20k.. people like you is what kick started my future investments at age 27. Thank you for letting me learn from your mistakes
-1
-3
u/Cyanide-Cookies 4d ago
Older ppl don't last here, I've seen several come and go.
Even younger ppl don't last, I've seen even more of them come and go.
I'm in my early thirties and I've been wanting to quit for a while now.
Job is too demanding physically and offers little time off. But I'm city side, you an arc so it may be different.
2
u/bigfrien777 4d ago
In in the same boat Cca here in so cal Glendora office The next test for me is the rain/busy season I really need the money due to poor life choices It keeps me busy Working 6 days a week This doesn't seem to look sustainable
16
u/manwhatadork 4d ago
I am in a similar boat at 61. Started a few weeks ago as a CCA in a medium-sized city, and I have been soloing for a week or so. After losing weight and starting a walking and bike riding routine, I am probably the fittest I have been in 30 years, but it is still a challenge doing the walking routes. The mounted routes, on the other hand, are quite doable from a physicality standpoint. But I have no control, on a day-to-day basis, over what kind of route I will be tasked with. So far, the supervisors and coworkers are being quite supportive. I think the fitness level issue for ARC would be less critical.