Pros
Overall I really liked being a CCA and an RCA. It's great to get so much exercise as a CCA. It's nice to be outside, and you get to meet nice people on your route. I also enjoy driving as an RCA. I'm on my own, usually out in the country with pretty scenery.
Cons
There are many. I was a former CCA but switched due to back pain. Word of advice to anyone considering becoming a CCA: you will destroy your back and develop possibly permanent back pain from this job. I spoke with many career City Carriers in my office, and they all said they had permanent back pain. Sure, management says not to carry so much or split up the route if the load is too heavy, but good luck doing that when it's a holiday, a flyer day, or a Monday (or just about any other day) and getting back in time. In my office the Post Master would have a fit if anyone took a day off, so I worked in the freezing cold with bronchitis and the flu more than once. As a CCA I never had a set schedule, and the schedule for the next week were posted on Thursday, so it was almost impossible to make plans for the next week. Fortunately my Post Master was nice about scheduling a day off if I needed it for something, but I hear a lot of PMs make it almost impossible to schedule a day off for any reason. As an RCA I am only guaranteed one work day a week. I was told when I switched positions that I could work in other offices, but it is very hard to get enough hours in other offices to make a full paycheck (at least where I am located). Be prepared to have the trucks break down a lot. The trucks are from the 80s, and they are not safe. Supposedly we are getting new trucks soon. I can't wait because every time I get in one of those things I worry about my safety. There are no airbags or any safety equipment (just a seatbelt). If you can stick it out and wait long enough to get a career position with your own route, it's a pretty nice job. Unfortunately thee only way to get a career position is if a regular carrier transfers or retires. Some RCAs and CCAs can wait 20 years to get a career position. Until then you may have very few hours, very few benefits, and no set schedule. You will receive no holiday pay, and RCAs receive no sick time or paid leave. Let me tell you how much it sucks to work a holiday and get no overtime when the regular carriers are getting paid holiday pay and they don't even have to work!
