Sorting mail question - first proper day at work on my own!!

[karchun]

Okay this maybe a newbie question but i'm going to do my own walk this saturday - last saturday i was taught how to do most things but i forgot some of the things my colleague told me...like where do we collect our boxes of mail at the start - do i go get my own walk's mail in the yorks or something?

[DGP1]

Find your coach and make him show you again............they're paid £30 per week for it so you may as well use them.

[Postman Plodd]

How many hours do you work per week?
What time do you start on Saturday?
Are you using a bag on the shoulder or working with vans/trolleys?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Okay this maybe a newbie question but i'm going to do my own walk this saturday - last saturday i was taught how to do most things but i forgot some of the things my colleague told me...like where do we collect our boxes of mail at the start - do i go get my own walk's mail in the yorks or something?

It all depends on the system the office use.

At mine all FTs have to get their coded/sequenced mail from the yorkie, and everyone has to on the 2nd batch (if comes in after PTs start). However, in some offices they have a porter system and it gets taken to your frame for you.

However, not all your mail is in the coded boxes, you will also have to collect the flats, manual letters and packet bags. Your coach should have shown you where they are.

Also before you go out, make sure you know how to bundle the frame up, and where your replenishment points are. If you mess that up it could take hours to sort it, and on a Saturday you won't have any managers to call on back at the office.

Moderator bit: Moved into Blue Shirts from Processing as its 2 different functions.

[Pinky 1]

Every delivery office is unique in their layout and way of doing things.
Best to do as DGP suggests and get hold of the work place coach,
or failing that, one of the old doddering farts will help you out

[Postman Plodd]

but best do it before saturday as everyone will have their saturday shoes on and be straining to get out sharp.

Our last coach quit years ago and hasnt been replaced, all newbies are shown the ropes by the best sprinters and corner cutters, hence the anguished looks when theyre cast adrift.

[karchun]

I work only saturdays 6 hours from 6.30 am to 12.30 - both sorting and posting my own walk - and i don't think my DO has a coach as such - last week my manager just mixed me with another worker there as he was going to be off this saturday so i'm going to take position for him!

[Darren Bent]

If you need some help ask the guy/madam next to you (as long they are friendly)

[Postman Plodd]

Pull me up if i've forgotten something or am assuming everyone works as my DO does.
This is my process for working from drop boxes, it will be different if you're working from a vehicle.
Get the process right before you leave the office and the rest shouldn't be too difficult/

Checklist:
Sign in

Sort all letters, flats, packets to the order of the frame. Have you got leaflets to do? If so find out which part of the walk they are for and sort them with the correct mail.

Do redirections, kill any dead mail.

Make sure you have a confirmation slip or two and some 'sorry you were outs' 739s oh and keys to your drop off boxes (if you're not working from a car/van)

Start bundling up the mail. (how big your bundles are is down to your own comfort) Number the bundles in the order you will do them. A lot of folk will have a small mark on the numbers on the frame as to where you pick up your next bag of mail (again if youre working from boxes/replenishment points) if you're not sure ask a boss or the nearest colleague where these are on the frame.

If you're unsure/cant remember where the actual boxes are ask for a map. Do you pouch off any undelivered stuff in a box or go back to the office? If its a box find out which box.

Put the bags out for the driver.

Sign out, notify boss if you think you may go over your time.

How are you getting to the 1st delivery? Do you get a lift or need bus fare?

Make a note of the office phone number just in case you get stuck.

hope this helps, its a bit nerve wracking on your 1st day out alone.
Good luck

[fishtank]

Above all.....
You may end up last out on saturday.
It's expected.
Work at a pace that still allows you time to think.
Be methodical to the point of OCD.
Learn to do it right before you even think about doing it fast.

[karchun]

Pull me up if i've forgotten something or am assuming everyone works as my DO does.
This is my process for working from drop boxes, it will be different if you're working from a vehicle.
Get the process right before you leave the office and the rest shouldn't be too difficult/

Checklist:
Sign in

Sort all letters, flats, packets to the order of the frame. Have you got leaflets to do? If so find out which part of the walk they are for and sort them with the correct mail.

Do redirections, kill any dead mail.

Make sure you have a confirmation slip or two and some 'sorry you were outs' 739s oh and keys to your drop off boxes (if you're not working from a car/van)

Start bundling up the mail. (how big your bundles are is down to your own comfort) Number the bundles in the order you will do them. A lot of folk will have a small mark on the numbers on the frame as to where you pick up your next bag of mail (again if youre working from boxes/replenishment points) if you're not sure ask a boss or the nearest colleague where these are on the frame.

If you're unsure/cant remember where the actual boxes are ask for a map. Do you pouch off any undelivered stuff in a box or go back to the office? If its a box find out which box.

Put the bags out for the driver.

Sign out, notify boss if you think you may go over your time.

How are you getting to the 1st delivery? Do you get a lift or need bus fare?

Make a note of the office phone number just in case you get stuck.

hope this helps, its a bit nerve wracking on your 1st day out alone.
Good luck

I think i'll be using my car so no, i wouldn't need any replenish points as such. And people calling that area the "cage" where something are done to the special deliveries and recorded - do i need to go there?

[Postman Plodd]

You're doing specials? Only van drivers do specials at our DO. I'm afraid i cant help you there.
If you're using your car i suppose you'll have to arrange your bundles so that you have enough to take you in a loop back to where you're parked.
Sorry i cant be more help as we have very different walks it seems. I really would grab whoever is in charge and get them to go over it again with you asap. Im sure they'll be happy to help you get it right.

[fng]

Seriously just ask folks around you. I found that even the grumpiest of 'em will at least grunt and point you in the right direction, just be polite and try to remember as much as you can, people dont mind being asked questions but not time after time.

As has been said before....take your time. 10/15mins extra in the DO getting it right, will save you 30/40 mins or more out on the street.

Sign for your special deliveries, if you have any, at the "hatch" - just look for the queue of posties (but make sure its not the toilet queue)

We've all been new once, look at me im an old timer now (4 months in !!!!!!!)

Keep trawling through this site aswell. i've learned no end off here, you can't buy experience but you can read about it off these guys.

[crazyshrew]

Above all.....
You may end up last out on saturday.
It's expected.
Work at a pace that still allows you time to think.
Be methodical to the point of OCD.
Learn to do it right before you even think about doing it fast.

couldn't agree more with this post, i started back in June and still follow this advice it took me a couple of months before i could stop caring about being the slowest, always felt the pressure to keep up with everyone else even on the days i'm put on a round i haven't done before.

i'm quite lucky in my office as alot of people have written up "cheat sheets" telling you the best way to bundle up, where to park your trolley/bike, best places to have a short sit down/sneaky ciggie etc.
when a round doesn't have one done up i just accept that i'll probably go over and take out a piece of scrap to jot down the lay of the land and write up my own for future reverance

[robg]

Above all.....
You may end up last out on saturday.
It's expected.
Work at a pace that still allows you time to think.
Be methodical to the point of OCD.
Learn to do it right before you even think about doing it fast.

dont forget to find out when the depot shuts up and every buggers off , so you dont get locked out .the managers will have been long gone , but some one will lock up and go home with out thinking of you .

Got locked out myself at the start while on overtime, I ended up chucking the empty bags over the gate and taking the bike home, with the specials.

Come Monday I got 8 hours overtime on top of the job.