Changing from my own jeep to LLV

[Shagy]

They say I can't say no and I will be getting an LLV. Do I have any other option? What exactly is OEMA? Does anyone have an answer?                    [e-mail]

[bob1]

You have no choice and it will be one of the best moves you ever made.

[postalpeacock]

I understand why you might not want an LLV...being that I live in a heavy snow area, I was not happy in knowing I was receiving one.  They are rear wheel drive with only studded tires on the rear.  But, I received my LLV on Jan 31st and I LOVE IT!  Not to mention my husband won't have to "hurry" and fix my vehicle anymore...24 years of that was enough for him!  They are roomy, comforable and alot easier to reach the mailboxes that delivering in a POV.  I had 3 days of paid training: 2 classroom days with a test, and then the driver training and driver test.  They make sure you can operate the vehicle since you HAVE to depend on the mirrors for almost everything.  You will find you will be pleasantly surprised!  After-
all they were made to deliver the mail, and makes our job so much easier!  Good luck!

[wave]

Let us know in 1 year how you feel about it.

I will stick with my jeep and radio and iPod and Satellite radio.

[bob1]

4 or 5 years later for me and I would NOT go back to a POV for any price.  Even have "chains" for the LLV when it snows and it goes as good or better as my studded snow tires did.  Forget the radio, the convenience and lack of maintenance, gas, etc. is a no-brainer.....

[^*^*^]

Don't they make a portable satellite radio?

[wave]

Do they make a portable air conditioner?

[postalpeacock]

Hey Shagy:  do me a favor and when you get the LLV, let us know if you like it or not.  Unfortunately, I'm at Erie GMF and we are under no circumstances allowed to have chains or cables.  That is unfortunate, but those will be the days that may be a bit of a struggle.  But I can take a radio in the vehicle or portable satellite, etc.  It is my vehicle to use everyday, so I can make it comfortable.  I wanted to reject the vehicle in the worst way, but now I'm glad I had no choice but to take it!  I would have never realized how wonderful it is to have it.

[3yrstogo]

I was told that I may be receiving an LLV in the near future and had the PM sign the RHD agreement to waive a vehicle on my route for 3 yrs as I was considering purchasing a newer vehicle. I didnt want one for many reasons....poor traction, poor visibility,poor heat, no A/C, no radio, not as comfortable as POV RHD or dual controls in my case. In 3 yrs from now I will either retire or ask the PM to sign another waiver so I can continue with my POV. I just wish we could get sufficient EMA.

[tarheelblue mark]

I had great reservations about the LLV before getting mine.  I got Sirius Sat. Radio easy to set up and take out daily.  I enjoy going home and having no car repairs or worries about gas. It's just like any change of auto. You will have to adjust your delivery style but in time your speed will return.

[Hudson Valley Rural]

 I chose to take the LLV,way back when they were first offered to rural carriers. Before that my work car,was also my personal car. I couldn't afford to have two cars. It was the best decision I ever made. My personal car can now be whatever I wish it to be. Pickup truck, stick shift, two seat sports car, whatever.
 Just the relief felt wondering if it would start in the morning, or break down on the route,is worth it. Break down now, and just have them run a replacement out to me. It's great.

[VAX]

    When the PO hands our LLVS quickly to offices now its, because they are going to put fss into effect soon,   Big boys of the PO told us no new fss for a year and a half, no money for it now we were told , it would be in our offce in 3 months, enjoy, much less flatd so they are putting as many offices on fss as they can, look for another reduction in pay after this count, in the near future!

[leanne]

I filed a greviance because I didn't want an LLV either but they made me take it because they said there was another document superseeding the one that said we could decline it.  I hate it. I had a suburu xm radio and air.  This thing has already been 80 degrees inside and it's only March.  I hear it can get 120 degrees in there.

[Wave]

So how does that work with your evaluation then when you get an LLV?  I guess I'm getting one next month, and if I get 30 minutes more a week that will bump me up an hour probably by the time the new evaluation starts.  Kinda sucks cuz I just bought another used right-hand drive cherokee, but I suppose a lot of the hassles and worries will disappear....at least in the summer time.

[bob1]

There is a formula that is used to calculate  the added time for fueling and DAILY safety checks.  In most cases, it is 30+ minutes, it depends on the length of the route.  In my case, it was a little over 31 minutes per week and that is a base hour change so if you are 20 minutes away from going up an hour, this would push you into the next catagory.  You can find the specific formula on the NRLCA site under LLV on the stewards reference guide.  Your only obligation is a daily check of lights, a visual safety check and fueling and after you get used to it you should be happy as the constant concern about gas prices and repairs is history.

[luv_my_pups]

Most of our routes have LLV's we love it unless they are slow to fix one.  We have one carrier whohas newly bid an LLV route, it is cute, he did not know how to get the window to roll down, and he is super nervous about it still. There is always the uncomfortable aspect of driving someone elses vehicle, but after a while, it does become second nature.  They are lot like a jeep, top heavy and squirrely, but I gotta say, I love it, it is nice to buy a new big truck, and now think about having to carry mail in it.

I would advise any new LLVers to write a repair tag for every little thing until you are satisfied with the condition of the vehicle, I had my seat, seatbelts, fan, and all four tires replaced for starters, then a brake job.

[Bev]

My supervisor just told me today I'll be getting an LLV. I worked for 8 years as a sub with no air in my car, as soon as I went full time I bought a new vehicle with AIR and it was wonderful. I live in South Carolina and the carriers with LLV's come in off the route everyday with heat exhaustion, their clothes soaked with sweat, and just plain miserable. What happens if you can't use the LLV cuz of a medical condition, like allergy to heat?(I'm serious--I break out in a rash if I'm in the heat too long).

[bob1]

Allergy to heat??  That is a new one to me, how did you handle it for the 8 years without air?

I never used air in 28+ years.  Yes, it gets hot but it was a heck of a lot better than using your own vehicle once I got the LLV.

My guess would be you could choose to use your own vehicle but would get NO EMA since there was an LLV assigned to your route.  Perhaps you can get a doctor to write a note but I am not sure that would even work as a/c is more of a "comfort" thing than a medical thing.

[Wave]

If this is a valid medical condition we are talking about, then you might be able to use this:

03-07-88 MOU
Section 4. Handicapped and Disabled Carriers
A. A rural carrier employee who has been safely performing
rural carrier duties, despite a physical handicap, and
who would be prevented ,from safely operating an Employer
provided vehicle, will not be require to accept a
vehicle or OEMA unless the Employer offers to modify its
vehicle to accommodate the handicapped employee.

and there is this:  (not sure if it's provisions were renewed)

The second MOU, 'Waiver of Right-Hand Drive Vehicles Provided by the
USPS", was executed in concert with the 1993-1995 USPS/NRLCA National
Agreement. This agreement allows a regular carrier who had recently
purchased a right hand drive vehicle to request a waiver from placement of a
USPS vehicle, effective for two years from the date of the actual purchase.
Carriers who purchased right-hand drives prior to the May 1, 1993 effective
date of the National Agreement were also permitted to request waivers.
These waivers were to have been requested by June 25, 1993. However,
because this MOU has had a limited dissemination, there was concern that
some carriers and/or managers may not have been aware of its availability
and application.
Recognizing this limitation, managers may accept requests for waiver from
placement of an LLV from caniers who have purchased a right-hand drive
vehicle within the last two years. These waivers may be accepted until
September 30, 1993. In accordance with the MOU, proof of the right-hand
drive purchase date must be provided and tile waiver is valid for two years
from that purchase date. Managers and DJSC members should contact all
offices and alert them to the availability of this waiver request and the
September 30 deadline. After September 30, any carrier who is notified that
the USPS intends to provide a vehicle for his or her route may not request a
waiver for a prior right-hand drive purchase.
Rural carriers should be advised to contact the DJSC and/or district rural
delivery staff if they are considering purchasing a right-hand drive vehicle, to
determine whether their routes have been identified for potential vehicle
placements. A form for recording a carrier's inquiry and management's
response is included with the "Waiver of Right-Hand Drive Vehicles Provided
by the USPS" MOU.

[bob1]

With all due respect, what you are referencing deals with handicapped and disabled carriers.  I personally know an amputee (leg) who is a regular carrier, that is a handicap or disability, unlike an "allergy" to heat.

The 2nd MOU you are referring to is 16 years old and deals with RHD.  RHD drive was not mentioned in post questioning turning down an LLV.