The van courier thread

[105.4]

This may well die on its arse, but I thought it might be a good idea to have a central thread for any van couriers on PH in order to share tips, stories, experiences or just to generally network.

So to start off, I’ve recently started as a subby, doing 85-100 drops per day in one regular postcode area in a small town. So far I’m pretty happy with the gig.

Any other van couriers or supermarket delivery drivers on here? Where abouts are you based and what is your workload like?

And how much are you all looking forward to the Christmas period

[normalbloke]

It’s generally a miserable thankless gig, look forward to be proved otherwise .

[105.4]

normalbloke said:

It’s generally a miserable thankless gig, look forward to be proved otherwise .

I’ve been starting at 08:30. The depot is usually open by then but sometimes they may be up to 30 minutes late opening.

Sorting out and organising my round then loading my van in the correct order takes 2 - 2 1/2 hours. I’m usually finished by around 17:00 followed by a 15 minute drive home.

My fuel costs are less than £10 per day, specific insurance works out at £1 per day, and I certainly can’t complain about the pay.

All in all, no complaints from me so far.

[105.4]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No, I carry all sorts, although some of it is Hermes.

[MethylatedSpirit]

Up in glasgow here. Been doing it since I left teaching / lecturing / Engineering.

150-280 parcels per day. Start about 11am, finish at 6pm(ish)

Actually, I've enjoyed the career break. It's simple, nobody bothers you and I have complete control over how my day goes.

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Tuesday 16th November 17:15

[loggo]

MethylatedSpirit said:

Up in glasgow here. Been doing it since I left teaching / lecturing / Engineering.

150-280 parcels per day. Start about 11am, finish at 6pm(ish)

Actually, I've enjoyed the career break. It's simple, nobody bothers you and I have complete control over how my day goes.

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Tuesday 16th November 17:15

280 parcels in 7 hours ? That's a parcel every 1.5 minutes.

Surely not ?

[Hugo a Gogo]

loggo said:

MethylatedSpirit said:

Up in glasgow here. Been doing it since I left teaching / lecturing / Engineering.

150-280 parcels per day. Start about 11am, finish at 6pm(ish)

Actually, I've enjoyed the career break. It's simple, nobody bothers you and I have complete control over how my day goes.

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Tuesday 16th November 17:15

280 parcels in 7 hours ? That's a parcel every 1.5 minutes.

Surely not ?

Yes that's a lot. Presumably lots a parcels go to the same places

I did lynx express years ago in a 7.5 tonner, in the City of London. More recently DHL in Germany, that was about 150 parcels a day

[agent006]

loggo said:

280 parcels in 7 hours ? That's a parcel every 1.5 minutes.

Surely not ?

Depends on the route. Get a big office building or student flats complex and you'll offload 100+ parcels to reception in one go sometimes.

[105.4]

agent006 said:

Depends on the route. Get a big office building or student flats complex and you'll offload 100+ parcels to reception in one go sometimes.

A large retail park is on my route. I’ll usually drop 30-40 packages there in mainly two shops, (right next door to each other). That’s about an 8 minute job for the two combined.

[DavePanda]

loggo said:

MethylatedSpirit said:

Up in glasgow here. Been doing it since I left teaching / lecturing / Engineering.

150-280 parcels per day. Start about 11am, finish at 6pm(ish)

Actually, I've enjoyed the career break. It's simple, nobody bothers you and I have complete control over how my day goes.

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Tuesday 16th November 17:15

280 parcels in 7 hours ? That's a parcel every 1.5 minutes.

Surely not ?

280 parcels or 280 drops? Big difference. I do on average 250 packages a day but it's around 100 drops in around 6 hours. Mix of Residential, industry and town center.