Walk Out Routes
A few of the office that I represent have walk out routes or foot routes which mean they have no vehicle, just a push cart and a satchel to deliver the mail. I wanted to go over a few procedures that are different from a motorized route or park and loop route.
According to the M-41 Letter Carriers Duties and Responsibilities Handbook: Preparation of Relays and Carry-Outs: Section 271.1: Assemble necessary equipment for preparing relays, such as straps, sacks, and labels. Section 271.2: Insert label for first relay in label holder of sack. Relays are identified by number on label of letter and flat case and by location listed on Form 1564-A. Section 271.3: Strap bundles of flats and letter mail for first relay. Section 271.4: Number each bundle in the order of delivery, placing an “X” after the number on the last bundle for each relay. Section 271.5: Place all loose packages and rolls along with bundles of letters and flats in the same sack and verify the label before closing the sack. Section 271.6: Strap all bundles and prepare all additional relays in the same way. Section 271.7: Place all sacks in designated location for relays.
Section 272: Carry-Outs — Packing the Single Satchel Section 272.1: Strap out the carry-out mail (letters and flats) as described for relayed mail, and number each bundle. Section 272.2: Place registered and other special articles in pocket of satchel. Section: 272.3 pack the bundles bearing highest numbers at bottom of satchel and work up so that number one bundle will be on top. The mail will then be packed in the order of delivery. Section 272.4: Pack the bottom of satchel solid and stand first bundles of flats on end, on top of bottom row, with addresses on top so they can be easily read when carrying the satchel.
Unstrap the first bundle of mail. Verify the street, block, and number with street sign and number on first house. Peel off the letters and circulars for the first house from bundle carried in the hand, and the flat mail from bundle standing on end in satchel. Place mail well into receptacle. If a rack is available for magazines, place them in the rack. Do not place fingers into door slots. Do not place letter mail or flat mail on steps, porches or in unauthorized locations. Note: Customers must provide receptacles or door slots for mail delivery unless a business place is open when carrier arrives. If a parcel does not fit completely within the mail receptacle or parcel locker (when available), determine if someone is available at the address by ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door. If no one is available to receive the parcel, follow the procedures in section 322.311 and section322.312.
When delivering the mail on foot routes, mail is normally carried in the hand and satchel; however, carriers may opt to carry mail on their arm. This option to carry the mail on your arm is YOUR option not management’s option. So use it to your liking. If you like to carry mail on your arm do so if you don’t like to carry mail on your arm don’t do it. The idea is to have all mail ready for deposit when the carrier reaches the delivery point and to avoid backtracking. Safety should be a prime consideration, by all means, place all mail into receptacle. Once delivery of all the mail from the relay is complete, replenish the mail supply for the next part of the route from the relay or storage box. These boxes are placed at designated locations along the route.
