Rural mail carrier fired on his first day

According to the Fort Wayne, Ind. Journal Gazette, Eric Larson, a rural mail carrier, was fired on his first day on the job because he ran into a fence. Larson (shown at the right in his car) blames it on a lack of training.

The post office says though there are hazards to being a rural mail carrier, the agency emphasizes safety and gives drivers the training they need.

The article goes on to say, "Postal officials and even union officials said they couldn’t talk about Larson’s case specifically, but they insist safety is a top concern."

"In the greater Indiana region, which includes most of the state, there are 1,820 rural routes that cover 25 million miles a year, and in fiscal 2005 there were 196 accidents, according to Lori Thomas, a spokeswoman for the post office."

"The job pays something more than $14 an hour, and carriers, who have to drive their own cars, get 40 cents a mile. People who do it say it’s a great way to make a living."

To read the entire article, click here.