USPS Casing and Pulling Down

[@burningknuckle26]

super smart. thank you for the tips

[@carrieallmon]

Thank you for your videos, David! I'm just starting my training as an RCA, and your info is put together very well. It's very clear and easy to understand. In the sea of cynicism I've been reading from various postal employees (while I *do* appreciate their honesty to not sugarcoat their experiences), your calm demeanor gives me hope!

[@davidkelln9225]

Thank you for the compliment and for watching! Good luck with your new job. It can be challenging at first, but, if you have a good office, it can be pretty great when you get the hang of it.

[@carrieallmon]

@@davidkelln9225, thanks! I heard from a co-worker in my training (that used to be a CCA) that our Station Manager is really good :) I've been feeling a little nervous, but I'm gaining more confidence that everything is going to be just fine, however things work out (very Zen ;) ). Your fantastic information is really helping... Please keep it coming!

[@TheWintastical]

Dude the 2 address slot tip (all the way in the backk on the right and sticking out on the left) is so good. Ive never thought of that, been an RCA for 7 months now and every time i get the route with 2 addresses for every slot it drives me crazy. Definitely doing that from now on thanks!

[@davidkelln9225]

Another RCA named Jeremy showed me that. My idea was to have the bindings face the other way. It was a mess lol.

[@abtackett2008]

Thanks for your videos… I watched everyone today… might have forgot to like a few but being my first day out tomorrow by myself…. I needed it. Thank you for what you do. I am from GRUNDY POST OFFICE, GRUNDY VA. Thanks again for all you do and share.

[@jahsehprince1967]

This was very useful! I'm glad I found your channel.

[@davidkelln9225]

Thank you!

[@s.schram6025]

I love the organizational tips! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video!

[@davidkelln9225]

Thanks for watching!

[@edr449]

Love your videos, they helped me a lot! My argument against tacos is, when you pull down, the taco takes up way more space! Like more than double. It's messy, I never liked getting folded magazines! It's way neater and cleaner to case them spine down. Especially those days when you have more flats than mail. But do what works for you! I've done both and the only thing I taco anymore is newspapers and stuff that's just too big. Also criss cross your pull down, makes it much easier.

[@davidkelln9225]

Yeah, I can't really defend the taco- it's just what I was taught. I still pull flat and criss-crossed, but I taco in the case. The biggest plus for me doing it this way is that it allows me to case most of my SPRS before pulling down, which I have gotten used to. Then on the route I am mainly working out of 2 trays- my DPS and my mix of letters, flats and SPRS.

[@edr449]

@@davidkelln9225 me to, I had to break myself of it. I'm still finding my way, I'm regular on 4/20!

[@davidkelln9225]

@@edr449 Congrats!

[@davidkelln9225]

Danny I work in a small office that only has 3 rural routes. We deliver in povs. Most carriers case their dps with their flats, bundle them with a belt, then break them open in a small tub that sits on their lap when they deliver. They keep their small parcels in a tub on their lh seat. It takes them about 4 hours to organize and load up. I do case a little dps (about 30 addresses) because they are on a busy street in clusters of 4. But I take most of it on the side. I case my smalls with my flats and pull down in trays that sit on my right and my dps is on my dashboard. Much faster than the way I was taught.

[@kevinfleming2913]

Very helpful videos, thank you.

[@KrystalItaliana]

I am learning a lot thank you for your detailed videos

[@davidkelln9225]

Thank you for watching!

[@haijiang2965]

Thanks 👍.i am new CCA, I learned a lot from you video

[@davidkelln9225]

Good luck on the new job and thanks for watching!

[@MrEdiboyzee]

Wow! I learned a lot from this video, this is so helpful for us aspiring to become a City Carrier. I already got a conditional job offer in my email, and I have an interview at Tesla, don’t know which one to choose. 🙏🏻👍

[@davidkelln9225]

Honestly, I don't know if it has changed since covid, but onboarding with USPS can take a looong time. I received my offer in early March but didn't start working until the beginning of May. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely take the Tesla interview. You might have time to try it out for a week or two before you start at the PO.

[@MrEdiboyzee]

@@davidkelln9225 I haven’t replied Yes on conditional offer on my email, and I wad given 3 days to reply I guess today is the last day, I don’t want to accept the job offer and say no at the end. I just hope by tomorrow evening after my interview at Tesla the job offer still active. 🙏🏻

[@davidkelln9225]

@@MrEdiboyzee honestly, that is what a probationary period is for. If the job doesn't work out in the first 90 days, you can walk away or they can let you go without cause. But I get it. You don't want to say yes and then back down. Just letting you know that after the yes with the post office, there is a lot to do. I had to take 2 online quizzes, do an I-9, drug test, finger prints, and fill out some paperwork. Then they have to schedule you for orientation. So, realize that you will be waiting a while to get that first postal check.

[@MrEdiboyzee]

@@davidkelln9225 Thank you for that information. Binge watching your videos this morning before heading to work. Hope you wouldn’t mind if I have ask questions about work at PO. Thanks again.

[@tilnet7976]

Love ur videos!! Very helpful for me

[@tashapeterson7726]

how does writing down what packages you have on the paper u r talking about that would make me slow down trying to take the time to write down every package i have. just wondering how that helps u

[@davidkelln9225]

Sure! Well first, it isn't the fastest way. If you can quickly load in order and go by memory, that's the fastest. But I need a crutch because I don't trust myself to remember. Maybe if I worked the same route every day. For me, it's faster than using parcel markers. The sheet already has the street names, so I'm just writing down the house numbers as I load the packages in the vehicle. It's faster than looking at them once at the case and then again as I load. Also, when I used markers I would worry about when the next parcel marker would pop up. I find it soothing to be able to glance at the sheet and see which one is next. It's definitely not for everyone, but it's been a good method for me. Another benefit I've found is that early on it helps me learn the case- it gives me a reference when I am casing, and on the route it cements the connection between the case in the actual route. That said, do what is best for you. Writing them down works for this weirdo, but it sure isn't for everyone.

[@tashapeterson7726]

ok i see your point about writing things down when u do mounted route I have a walking rout. one Time i did a mounted rout and it did not go well what so ever. @@davidkelln9225

[@abtackett2008]

Tomorrow is my first day out by myself and I am freaking out. Watching you videos is giving me some great ideas. I rode along with the regular Wednesday and Thursday of last week and Friday she rode with me while I did the route. Now tomorrow…. It is all me by myself and I am FREAKING OUT. Thanks for your videos. Is it hard for everyone at first? Is it just repetitive stuff that comes with time???

[@davidkelln9225]

Yep. At least mostly. You will get faster. My first time out alone I got a bit lost and overwhelmed, so I pulled over and looked up driving directions to the next address. For a while, I struggled getting back on time, but it does get better. You are starting at a good time. Mail and packages are light for most of the spring and summer. Christmas and the general election are going to make the fall super busy. Congratulations on the new job!

[@SimplyAllaboutyou]

Questions as a RCA do you have to help someone else when you finish your route? As a RCA do you have to deliver pieces from other route if you already finished your? As a RCA can the supervisor work you the entire week with out a day off and when finally you have a day off they call you in? I apply for RCA not for CCA...

[@davidkelln9225]

Right now in the Lakeland district, which is where I work, RCA's are not allowed to work more than 6 days in a row. I can't definitively say that that's happening in every office, but that's the guideline. I have gone out to help other routes after finishing mine, and I've had other people come out and help me with my route. I work in an office that is fully staffed, so I really haven't had to deal with being overworked. Honestly, when I was trying to make RCA my full-time gig I had to scramble to pick up hours at other post offices. Yes, they can call you in when you are expecting to have a day off, because the regular called in sick. That's just kind of the nature of the job - we work their routes when they can't.

[@bonddm1391]

What are boxholders, mixed flats, ordered flats, and what do you mean by taking DPS to the street? Also, what are clusters, hot cases, middle parcels, and bundles? I do like the criss cross idea.

[@davidkelln9225]

boxholders are items that are given to almost every customer on the route. They may or may not have addresses. So like, political ads, grocery store flyers, a postcard for invisible fence or a local dentist.. They are a bulk mailing. They are called boxholders because even people who rarely get mail will get them. Flats are magazines, catalogs, and large envelopes. Mixed means that they are not in route order, ordered means that they are in route order. Taking DPS to the street means just that. It comes to you in plastic trays and it is already in "delivery order". Some people take it out of the trays in the office and put it in their case with the other mail. Then they pull it out and pack it up so in the street they only have one stack of mail to grab for each address. If you take it to the street, you pull the mail out of the tray for an address and then grab the other mail that you had put in your case while you are delivering.

[@davidkelln9225]

A "hot case" is just an area in the office where clerks sort through loose mail. If they find some for your route, they will put it in your slot or tray and you have to come get it. You are expected to do this just before you leave in case mail was missorted. Bundles are just stacks or tacos of mail that are strapped or rubberbanded together. Just a different way to pack things.

[@bonddm1391]

@@davidkelln9225 Ok. Thanks for the clarification. I want to be proficient in my job as a CCA. I start Monday.

[@davidkelln9225]

@@bonddm1391 congrats! As a CCA you HAVE to take your DPS on the side. They will not let you case it.

[@brittanyt.1603]

Hello. Do you case in your dps? I know at my office they do. I did that and it killed so much time. Also, how do you case and pull down w/ marriage mail? I used to be a cca and I’m use to carrying it in my satchel. Now I am a rca and it’s a little different as far as casing

[@davidkelln9225]

So when I first started, I cased and bundled everything and used parcel markers for both my large parcels and my SPRS. My main bundle rode on my lap in a dish tub while my SPRS were in a tub/bucket on my driver's seat (I have a POV with pedals). Now I case most of my SPRS with my flats and loose mail. Pulling down takes a while, partly because I criss-cross. I take my DPS and marriage mail on the side if at all possible. In an LLV, marriage mail would ride in a third tray (MM, flats and sprs, DPS). In my POV I kind of stand it up in the dish tub I have mounted above my glove box. It's kind of hard to explain the setup, but I've tried a bunch of things and it works the best for me. I don't really have a good video of me delivering marriage mail, because right now I usually just work Saturdays. What some other carriers in my office do is they collate it when they pull down. They have the stack next to them and just grab from it and put it in the tray or bucket to merge it with the stuff from the case.

[@tilnet7976]

Hey how does the sections go for parcels. section 1 is the first part of the route? Trying to make sure I understanding it right

[@davidkelln9225]

So the scanner software divides the route into 6 zones. This is true for both a regular route and dynamic delivery routes. On a regular route the addresses are divided into 6 equal groups. For dynamic, it's the number of stops. In either case, you can use the load truck function to organize the packages by zone.

[@davidkelln9225]

And yeah, 1 is first, then 2.

[@luciadance]

Your videos are so helpful- I'm now using a parcel sheet. Yay! Why weren't we taught this at the academy? :) I would be very interested in how you organize trays in an LLV. I was also wondering what you do on a new route when neither the house or the mailbox has a number. Also what kind of gloves do you wear in the frigid temps? Thanks

[@davidkelln9225]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-QlJiIqcp0Z9k for the trays. As for the new routes, if a box is not marked, the regular should write the address on the inside of the box with a sharpie. When you as an RCA is dealing with them, you just have to do your best. It may mean that the mail comes back with you if you can't quickly figure it out. Sometimes I just move to the next one and see what that is or check satellite view on google maps. In my pov I never wear gloves because I have to finger the mail with my right hand and it is easier to stay warm. In an llv I wear an insulated dipped glove on my right hand, no glove on my left. Thanks again for watching and for the kind words.

[@ashtonyager5281]

AWESOME! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@AbbyEastman]

So, if you don't case the letters how do you know if there is a move left no address or a FWD.

[@AbbyEastman]

As

[@AbbyEastman]

As a regular I really don't like a customer upset with me because a RCA keeps giving them mail for someone who has moved.

[@davidkelln9225]

@@AbbyEastman well, again it depends on the route. Some routes are more dynamic - changing all the time. Others are more stagnant. If you find that it's worth it to case the DPS on your route, go ahead. As for me, I usually do the same routes. So I am aware of customers who have issues with wrong mail. I know the lady at 1274 doesn't want to see mail addressed to Bob. I know that the Bickmans moved out of 231. As far as your subs, you can help them out by leaving notes at your case or marking up boxes on your route for customers that you are concerned about.

[@Wendyjo123]

What a charming man. Thank you for these videos, I just started as an RCA. Your videos are very helpful but you make me nervous, who you hiding from? You keep looking to the side like you are going to get in trouble. Should I call police?? Are you being held captive? Make a signal with your eyes! Lol

[@davidkelln9225]

Lol I'm using an old laptop with a separate web cam. I'm glancing at the screen. Congratulations on the new job!

[@carlosaguilar8032]

Hello David can you please explain what's is parcel? Its that the same as packages? In a different word for packages? The word is parcel, because is a bit of confusing thanks!

[@davidkelln9225]

Yep. Just a different word for packages.

[@davidkelln9225]

And then small packages that fit in a mailbox are sometimes called SPRS (pronounced like spurs).

[@carlosaguilar8032]

Thank you David I'm going for the rural carrier but I'm still confused about what. Are parcels? @@davidkelln9225

[@davidkelln9225]

@@carlosaguilar8032 again they're just packages. Parcel is another word for package.

[@carlosaguilar8032]

Hey David thank you I been higher by the post office here in california I will be asking you more questions@@davidkelln9225

[@bonddm1391]

You should do a video explaining the terminology used. What do you mean by taking it on the side?

[@davidkelln9225]

When you "take it on the side" it means that you are working out of another tray. So when you pull up to a mailbox on the street, you might have to grab letters from one tray and magazines from another instead of just grabbing both things from the same tray. When I am delivering, I usually take newspapers and ordered letters (DPS) on the side. So on the route I flip through the letters to get all of the ones for a given address, I grab the magazines and loose letters that I cased for them, and if they have a paper I grab it off the pile. The alternative would to put all of those things together in the office so that on the street I just have to grab their pile, quickly look it over, then shove it in their mailbox. While that makes it easier to deliver, it can take a few extra hours in the office.

[@davidkelln9225]

I know this got super long and may not be that useful. I am thinking of reworking it to make it a bit less rambly.

[@ceramicSabrina]

thank you! definitely helped me understand things a bit better, it was nice to hear a few different techniques about things instead of only what my regular has been doing for 30 years haha. my main day to sub is monday though so i’m a bit worried about trying new things, but it’s always a bit rough anyways. another thing that i’m a bit stuck on is taking dps to the street. in training we always cased it and then once i was on my own we had to take it to the street and i struggled with it so much, keeping track of everything all at once. definitely want to try your parcel system

[@davidkelln9225]

@@ceramicSabrina are you LLV or POV? Do you take your mail on the side? As far as trying new things, yeah you might want to at least wait until the holidays are over, but you can always try something for part of the route- maybe just a row. I did that when I tried taking some mail on the side and when I've tried different methods of dealing with boxholders.

[@ceramicSabrina]

i’m in an llv! if i survive the holidays i’ll definitely give it a try. might try doing a row or two with the parcel sheet and see how it goes, thank you again for all your help!

[@FingerPuppetSarcasm]

I'm watching this in preparation for an RCA offer so i haven't had my training yet. Some of the terms are a bit confusing (like DPS, i can't logic what that stands for) but i'll definitely be using a lot of your tips. The managers made sure that I understood sorting and casing would be very hectic so i'm assuming they'll talk very fast when training me. I helps to see some of this stuff at a slow pace. I would love to see the car setup with some explanation. Just looking at some other videos it seems like they throw stuff in the car haphazardly, but i'm sure there's some sort of organization system if they went through all the work to case it.

[@davidkelln9225]

I am about to post a video about learning to case. I will try to make something about organizing vehicles. Will you be using an LLV or your own car?

[@FingerPuppetSarcasm]

@@davidkelln9225 I'll be using my own POV

[@davidkelln9225]

@@FingerPuppetSarcasm what is your vehicle? Is it RHD? Will you be putting in a pedal kit?

[@FingerPuppetSarcasm]

@@davidkelln9225 its a LHD. They asked me if i would be willing to straddle. I would probably put pedals in on the right side if the job works out.

[@davidkelln9225]

@@FingerPuppetSarcasm definately find a dead end street and practice before you do it for real. When I had to use my wife's van and straddle, I taped a brake pad box to the gas pedal to make it easier to reach. Hopefully they will let you just deliver like a third of the route your first time out.

[@jeremyshearer]

Then check hot case like ten times

[@davidkelln9225]

Well now that depends on your clerks.

[@jeremyshearer]

@@davidkelln9225 I’m new so it’s what I’ve been doing lol. 4 days RCA and heavily abused there :/

[@davidkelln9225]

@@jeremyshearer that's a lot! I usually check it once after I finish casing my flats, then again just before I leave. The second time there is usually less than 10 items. That will depend greatly on both your district and your office. More routes usually means more mistakes. Some processing plants do a better job than others, some clerks are more efficient than others. Is it 4 different routes? Did they give you enough time to really learn your first one?

[@jeremyshearer]

@@davidkelln9225 I have my first route down, it’s just getting used to the sequence numbers and packages or the places too stack them cuz I’ll forget I have “26” in the back and it’s back on 140th and I’m already down tanner way. Lol. I’m just used too parcel markers from the academy so maybe I’ll try too add that into my station

[@davidkash1969]

I don't criss cross. It's a waste of time

[@jeffw1267]

Most people don't like to read USPS handbooks and my station has carriers with 20+ years who have never cracked the cover of the M-41 handbook (that's the City Carrier handbook). The Rural Carrier handbook is a little different and you can read or download it at the AWPU (union) website. Here is the link: USPS Handbooks and Manuals | American Postal Workers Union (apwu.org) Click the PO-Series drop-down menu and choose the PO-603: Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities. Following the flowchart they give you makes sense because most carriers waste too much time in the station.