I Made Regular

Or the Meaning of Sisterhood

by Janet Marsh Webster White

All my sister, Nancy, wants for Christmas is a story for her “Weave-the-Web” family website. This year I failed her and feel very guilty. I like to write, but as hard as I tried, I just couldn't get enthused about anything. Nothing exciting was going on in my life. I had no trips planned and the post office is exhausting in November and December. The days ticked by and I had nothing to write about. Christmas came and went and no story from me.

Then in late January something exciting did happen in my life. I became a regular at my job with the Post Office! When you are hired as a carrier, you are a PTF. That stands for Part Time Flexible. You are low man on the totem pole big time. Management owns you. They can work you 50 hours or 24 hours. They can bounce you from route to route and you just never know from day to day what you are in for.

A carrier who has his own route is called a Regular. A Regular is guaranteed forty hours a week and can work overtime only if she signs up for it. She has real job security. Most PTFs become regular carriers between six months to two years after starting to work at the post office. When the economy tanked and mail volume dropped, the P.O. put a freeze on all hiring including making any new regulars.

This year, 2011, will be my sixth year as a PTF. There were rumors that they were going to take the top four senior PTFs and make them Regulars to fill vacant routes. I had heard that rumor for six months, so late January, when I was called into the manager’s office, I was sure I was in trouble for something.

Well out of the blue the day had come, and I was made a regular. I just couldn't believe it. In the Post Office this is a very big deal. I was already doing what is called a “hold-down” on a route that had been vacant for a while. I liked this route, but always feared that a regular would bid on it and take it away from me. Now it was really mine for as long as I wanted it. Now, as a regular, I can bid on other routes that come along if I want to, and I have many other rights.

I didn't think I would feel any differently, but without realizing it, I was happier and in a great mood. I couldn't wait to tell my two wonderful sisters. They were both so happy and excited for me. I just felt great. Then they each sent me a gift just for making regular. They were cool gifts too. Suddenly I had the urge to write Nancy a story. Making regular was exciting, but it’s my sisters who my story is really about. They both knew what this news

meant. They both have come to understand the inner workings of the P.O. I didn't have to explain anything. I just had to say, " I made regular!" They are so great. Their love and interest in my life gives me such energy. We are so connected. Nancy is coming for a visit in March and half the fun of that is counting down the days.

So 2011 is starting out pretty well. If it continues, great; if it doesn't, I have my two sisters to lean on. I am so lucky.