Advice on becoming a courier?

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Didn't find this myself, the quick is done by using your head, not the throttle, of course it's some time since I despatched but those of my acquaintance in the industry now tell me nothing's changed. 'Deadline jobs' are a common misconception - they don't exist. Sometimes you'll be asked to hurry - your choice on what that means in practice

We certainly did have deadline jobs. I was based out of town, so perhaps it was different, but trying to get three "Before 12" deliveries to WC1, EC1 and SW1 in under an hour from Woking did necessitate a little bit of excessive speed. Plus if you went back to the office to hold on for another 1 or 2 to go with your single, the original collected package was a bit stale by the time you set off so had to be "expressed" up.

Dunno what sort of mileage you London boys did but I covered over 1000 miles a week, so often the weekend was bike free. Eventually I bought a weekend bike and got back some of the enthusiasm.

[Dave20046]

Yes my advice is don't. dangerous biz.

I'm considering this as a Saturday self-employed job, can you get much work at the weekend?

Dunno really, I never worked saturdays. I wouldn't imagine there'd be loads of work as most businesses are mon-fri, but then I don't know many couriers who worked the weekend so maybe you could hoover up all the available work? Don't forget you will need courier insurance, so it probably won't make you enough to cover costs. You'd probably be better working in a shop!

I work over the road from University College Hospital, and see alot of medical couriers about. How does that compare to normal dispatch riding? Has anyone done dispatching for a hospital? There is a bloke with a hayabusa with "medical supplies" or something stickered all over it. He dosn't hang about....I have tried to follow him

[ethariel]

Prolly find thats a volunteer (Bloodrunners) working at the weekend, very worthwhile hobby.

[ixlr8]

I'm still doing it, so...
- at 1500 km a week, it quickly kills your bike.
- you find yourself spending inordinate amounts of your free time adjusting or servicing your bike because the pay doesn't allow for dealer service,
- it's hard to regard recreational riding as enjoyable,
- hi speed internet and the GFC has badly damaged the industry,
- you'll be competing with mostly new immigrants who are used to and will accept a far lower income,
- weekend work what little there is mostly is for 4 wheels,
- you need a lot of jobs on board to make it pay,
- I haven't been knocked off since last Wednesday and it was at least a couple of months since the previous collision,
- but when you stop, the enjoyment of m/cycling does come back.

Errrm, some random thoughts. I'm re-qualifying so I can leave the industry.

Originally Posted by ixlr8

I'm still doing it, so...
- at 1500 km a week, it quickly kills your bike.
- you find yourself spending inordinate amounts of your free time adjusting or servicing your bike because the pay doesn't allow for dealer service,
- it's hard to regard recreational riding as enjoyable,
- hi speed internet and the GFC has badly damaged the industry,
- you'll be competing with mostly new immigrants who are used to and will accept a far lower income,
- weekend work what little there is mostly is for 4 wheels,
- you need a lot of jobs on board to make it pay,
- I haven't been knocked off since last Wednesday and it was at least a couple of months since the previous collision,
- but when you stop, the enjoyment of m/cycling does come back.

Errrm, some random thoughts. I'm re-qualifying so I can leave the industry.

Think i'll keep biking as a hobby!

[timwilky]

Mate of mine was a courier in the 80s.

He had some numpty customers.

One asked him to take a pipe sample from Manchester to Aberdeen. Great he get to Manchester to find sample is 20ft long, 18" diameter and weighs near on a ton.

Oh we thought you might have a truck.

another place asked him to collect some drawing from freelance draughtsman. When he delivered them, the customer asked him to wait whilst he checked them and return any mistakes. Mike glanced at them. Pointed out a mistake the checker missed. (He was a redundant truck designer) and was offered a job on the spot.

Stopped couriering that afternoon