Old Postie's Handy Hints and Pointers

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 07 Sep 2008, 20:58

Post here any skills information which will help a new postman to do his job more effectively.

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 07 Sep 2008, 21:04

Walk Memo

Here is a sheet I designed to help me keep a record of the bits of information required to do a walk:

Side A: http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV15JTVA
Side B: http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxWIqxi

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 07 Sep 2008, 21:39

This list is comprehensive but not exhaustive. Please feel free to reply with more points, as necessary.

At the frame

Redirections - if the walk has been thrown-in, have these been done?
Packets - have letters been faced for the packets to be taken out?
Which bundles/ locations to place (a) in which bags and (b) in which order?
Where to cut off (agree before going out), based on all above information and what time you can work to on the given day the walk must be done.

Preparation for going out

What the final weight of each of your bags will be?
If you have (a) bag drops, (b) boxes or (c) a mixture of both and where they are situated (a) on the walk frame and (b) physically on the walk?
Have you got everything with you, including pen, red cards, white recorded delivery cards, pink missort pouch and water bottles?

Going out

Provide a map (with drop points identified) and explain it.
How far to the nearest public transport from the last address and also which bus to catch, in which direction?
How long it will take to get to the walk and if there is public transport available and about costs reimbursement?

On the walk

Where are the toilet/ comfort breaks? You will be on your feet for about 3 and a half hours.
What are the likely costs involved?
Are there any specific anomalies such as (a) low letterboxes, (b) problematic addresses, (c) dogs, (d) historical public disorder issues?
Are there any general anomalies which would impair your ability to perform your job effectively and in safety?

After the walk

Whether a missort pouch is available and what to do with returned items in the event that no pouch is available?
What to do in case the missort pouch is too big to go into a post box and it is likely that Post Offices will be closed by the time you anticipate completing your duties?

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 07 Sep 2008, 22:02

Here is a list of things to carry with you, while you are doing a walk. Some of them are essential, and you will find that probably all of them make your walk more comfortable:

General

Plastic wallet/ bag of some description to keep essential, non-waterproof items, e.g. papers, maps, clean and dry
Pen (preferably one which will work in wet weather conditions)
Spare pen (in case the one your are using unexpectedly gets lost or stops working)
Plenty of red, "Sorry, you were out" cards (also known as "P739's" or "red cards"): keep a stash of these in your bag, for good measure
Some white, "Confirming your delivery" cards (also known as "P4550's" or "recorded delivery cards"): keep a stash of these in your bag, for good measure
Water bottles or cold/hot drinks - even in cold weather, you can easily become dehydrated.

Cold/ wet weather

Yellow liner for your carrying bag
Waterproof bottoms
Waterproof jacket
Hat (fleece hats are ideal, as they keep the heat in and the water out, no matter how heavy rainfall might be or how cold it gets)
Gloves

Very useful but not necessarily essential

An A-Z street map of the city (better still, the county)
Sat Nav (I don't know where I would be without mobile phone sat nav on new walks - expensive, but well, well worth it!)
Red customer contact numbers cards
"White cards" with RM logo on one side
Mobile phone
Peppermint aerosol
Petty cash - around £3 (for if you unexpectedly feel hungry, or for emergencies, like making a 'phone call)

The information given here is only taken from my own, personal experiences. It should not be taken to necessarily constitute current practices. You should, therefore, consult with your union representative and/or manager for further clarification and before acting on these advices.

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 07 Sep 2008, 22:12

Overtime Reckoner

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxWW05i

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 07 Sep 2008, 22:42

Happy looking kid

Post by **baldrick** » 08 Sep 2008, 04:34

BELIAL wrote:Happy looking kid

Is he a happy looking postie now?

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 08 Sep 2008, 04:42

baldrick wrote:
BELIAL wrote:Happy looking kid
Is he a happy looking postie now?

Yes. Someone was only saying in the office the other day that I looked 'chirpy'. I love my job, I do!

Post by **baldrick** » 08 Sep 2008, 04:48

Morning Majeed. Glad to hear you're happy in your job

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 08 Sep 2008, 04:56

baldrick wrote:Morning Majeed. Glad to hear you're happy in your job

Post by **baldrick** » 08 Sep 2008, 05:03

Why

?

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 08 Sep 2008, 14:45

baldrick wrote:Why ?

Why not

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 08 Sep 2008, 14:46

Actually I don't use the Yellow insert in my bag as its too small, easily ripped and not that flexible. I use a Black Bin bag. I also use the Black bags in my red inserts pouches so that whatever the weather I cant still keep the mail dry even when transferring it to my bag.

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 08 Sep 2008, 16:26

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:Actually I don't use the Yellow insert in my bag as its too small, easily ripped and not that flexible. I use a Black Bin bag. I also use the Black bags in my red inserts pouches so that whatever the weather I cant still keep the mail dry even when transferring it to my bag.

...very crafty, Teebs! Very crafty! Remember not to stick your head in one, as you might suffocate!

majeed · Post by **majeed** » 08 Sep 2008, 16:27

baldrick wrote:Why ?

> Deliriously happy.

ROYALMAILCHAT