The "How was your day" thread.

[taurus88]

Hello, and welcome to the world of madness.

First of all, you will really struggle at first. The job seems impossibly complicated when you're new, probably because there's so much more to it than you ever imagined (when seeing your own postie dodder up and down the road with a 'this is a piece of piss' look on his face). Most of the difficulty in the work comes on the inside, knowing what to do with dead letters, packets, redirections, then also doing the prep work including the dreaded door-to-doors. Trust me when I say this begins to come naturally, although probably not until a couple of months into the job if you're anything like me. The most important things for you in the initial stage of your employment is to take your time, not worry too much, and understand that things will get better.

You are at present in a bedding-in stage completely different to any you will ever experience elsewhere. In another job you would be spoon-fed for weeks and months before being left to do your job. Royal Mail, rather stupidly in my (and a number of others) opinion, give you the whole lot at once and then leave you to sink or swim. It's not particularly clever, but at the same time it lends you a sense of independence that you will not have in another job. You can learn at your own pace. Remember to book your overtime when you go over, and remember to enjoy it. This is a far more physical job than you will have envisaged, certainly I found it that way. It's a shame really that you didn't start in the summer because it was brilliant for me to start then.

Secondly (and finally), if you are discouraged or disheartened by the job already, give it some time. I thought of quitting at least a hundred times in my first three months; I was crap at it, I was slow, it was harder than I thought. But it was a job and it was better than the square root of frak all that I had prior to it. As I said, it is a sink or swim kind of job, it ought not to be but it is. The bare essentials of it are not all that complex, but you have to have the gumption to ask lots of questions, particularly of the senior men (don't ever ask a manager, they were usually bad postmen if at all), and to stand up for yourself as far as you dare to. If you're weak and willing to work for free then you'll be a manager's dream, but you may find that you are a nightmare to yourself.

Enjoy it, anyway. Once you get out on your own you'll really be sh*tting it! Take an mp3 player and take your time. If you want to ask any questions then all the guys on here will be forthcoming with good (and in some cases, even correct!) answers to any queries, questions or concerns you may put to us. We're all pretty knowledgeable (sad bastards), and we all have different view-points. There are guys on here who have done decades and guys who are, just like you, complete newbs to the job. I've only been here for nine months and I finally think I might have cracked it*!

* - no, not the DOM's head

[lolsnort]

I must say, I do have a lot of respect for every postie now! Perhaps that should be envy for those who do find it very easy? :P I wouldn't really say I'm too bad with dead letters and redirections. I've not had any experience with D2Ds yet as we haven't had any. To be honest, I can't wait to do it on my own so I can take my time. My trainer + new guy have legs twice as long as me and walk twice as fast so it's a pain (quite literally ) trying to keep up with them. They also both have the attitude of "No break = finish early" whereas I really would rather have a break. I suggested I come in at 9:30am like someone else asked me to (apparently that's my official start time) but I was told that'd be too late and they're already have left the DO by then.

I wouldn't say I'm sinking or swimming yet... More graciously bobbing. If weak and willing to work for free is a manager's dream then I'm pretty sure I'll be a nightmare.

[fishtank]

I must say, I do have a lot of respect for every postie now! Perhaps that should be envy for those who do find it very easy? :P

No-one finds this job easy anymore,if they say they do,they are lying.. either to you or themselves.
That doesn't mean you can't fake a smile and enjoy the job though.
It sounds like you're doing fine,relax,look after your feet and join the union...despite the grumblings of most of us on here it's still a smart move for a newbie.

[heapsy]

Loads on. Just over 5 and a half hrs to deliver. Just under 6 hrs including travel to and from walk.

[Pinky 1]

My trainer + new guy have legs twice as long as me and walk twice as fast so it's a pain (quite literally ) trying to keep up with them. They also both have the attitude of "No break = finish early" whereas I really would rather have a break.

You're trainer gets paid an extra allowance to teach you to do the job properly Now i can understand you not saying anything, being a 'newbie', so go and get a senior man to kick their arse

[dohnut]

Loads on. Just over 5 and a half hrs to deliver. Just under 6 hrs including travel to and from walk.

Are you on a rural or town delivery, cus I would never walk around for 5 1/2 hours.

[heapsy]

Loads on. Just over 5 and a half hrs to deliver. Just under 6 hrs including travel to and from walk.

Are you on a rural or town delivery, cus I would never walk around for 5 1/2 hours.

It's a town walk mate, and a bloody long one thanks to the revision.

[heapsy]

Same old story, only longer.

[krussel]

What is happening this week

I thought i was doing ok on this trolley duty by taking my time and a break mid morning but ive totally been sunk by the weight of mail this week. Monday was 4hrs 45min and tue's about the same with d2d but yesterday JESUS 5hr 15min i thought it was never going to end

Today i cut off and left about 45 min in the frame as i was too knacked to stay out. Some are saying they are clearing the mail centre for the census next week but all i know is its killing me

[DGP1]

This week has been a breeze, it's been pretty easy for the past couple of months.


or my office has caught up to the levels of post that they where talking about 3 years ago when they did the revision.

[krussel]

During the time I left school and now I've literally done no exercise. Of course I'm going to be in pain for a while.

Welcome lolsnort

Yes iam afraid you are going to go through a few aches and pains in the next few weeks. However you have youth on your side so you should get into shape fairly quickly.

Try to take as much rest as possible after work for the first few weeks which will help your legs. Carry a spare pair of socks and change then half way through the day to keep your feet dry. Also carry some blister plasters and if you feel that stinging sensation get one on quick.

You seem to have your head screwed on the right way and have approached the job realistically. Give yourself at least 3 months to bed in to the RM world before you judge yourself.

Best of luck, I hope it goes well. If unsure about anything be sure to post on here as there is loads of real life information available.

[lolsnort]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I was with a different guy today. I was shadowing him on a walk that I'll be taking for "as long as possible, at least 2 weeks" (yay) so that I can get used to delivering. It's a nice walk in a posh area. No flats which is a bonus. There's a few benches dotted around for when I want to take a break and a small shop. It's quite near the sea though so gets a bit windy hence the bikes kept falling over.

Tomorrow I'll be doing all of the walk with him watching over me just to check I'm doing everything alright then I have Saturday off and starting Monday I'll be doing the same walk on my own. He also said that he's going to come in a bit earlier to throw it off for me. It is really straight forward though; Stay left. That's all. If I get lost I will feel like a total idiot because there's not really anywhere you could get lost, lol.

We left the DO at about 9:30 today and got back at 2:20 so out for 4hrs 50mins. Considering an old woman needing a hip replacement could probably walk faster than me I don't think it was too bad. It was apparently quite heavy today too. I just need to get through tomorrow then rest all weekend and I should be good to go!

The only downside to being on a bike duty: There's two women's bikes. They're likely to be used constantly so I'll need to ride a men's bike where even with the seat at it's lowest and me on my tip-toes I can't actually sit on it... Curse my stupid short legs!

[WCH]

Totally knocked for six today, got started at 10.00 and finished at 2.15, i'd go into what a complete and utter shambles it was but you all know how it is.

[Postman Plodd]

In on time, out with the lapsing, return to a handful of d2d prepped which is a slight improvement on zero prepped yesterday.
Left office getting on for 11, finished after 3. Bet tomorrows sh*t too.

[clashcityrocker]

It seemed really busy on IPS.
My walk seemed busy as I prepped it.
Delivery span 2hr 35 mins.
I still feel like I forgot to do a couple of bags.