As a second year helper my Driver and I have it down to a science. I take one package to the door, set it down in a good hidden from street spot, get my bum back to the vehicle and in it, all the while he is grabbing and scanning the next package and putting it in an easily accessible location for me, if its a small package I will often hold onto it between stops. I keep an eye on the DIAD to make sure its not lit up with a signature required screen and if it is I grab it before I run the package. Most of our stops take 22-26 seconds according to my timer. I'm usually putting on my seat belt almost within a second of two of my driver. Sometimes a tid bit sooner than him or after but most of the times its a close race.
My Driver is awesome. Last years Driver was awesome. Need I say more on that?
Last year my Driver taught me some things, Using the DIAD and whatnot. This year my driver has taught me even more so I can be useful helping with the packages when the shuttle brings us another truck load. I only wish I had known how to sort packages sooner so I would have been better with helping with it when he first started getting the shuttle brought out to him.
I have read a number of posts against the helpers on here and wow, it kinda makes me just laugh.. Yes some of the helpers over complicate things. We are seasonal. for me its from the 1st of Nov to the end of Dec which is longer than some.. I was called to see if I wanted the job again this year in fact. I know some of the helpers don't quite make the cut but hell, Its not easy work, It could be a lot harder.. I love this job. It might be seasonal but I enjoy it. Everyone I have met, be it supervisors or drivers have been nice and I've seen great teamwork between them. They all seem to know each other even if some of them don't know each other too well.
I fully intend to shoot for becoming a part timer when the opening comes around next year.. It might be hard work but its worth it to be part of something meaningful. Even if I want to rip my head off because I've told people to have a Merry Christmas so many times in each day.
Oh, And to all the helpers.... try to avoid mean dogs. Don't let them get behind you. I've had one that tried to grab me in the leg and used his head to round off one corner of his owners packages.. Your Driver will let you know if a dog is mean or not, In my case we were seriously hoping the big box I held would be a scary thing and make him run. Unless you don't mind bleeding in your uniform don't take the risk. Personally I don't want blood stains in mine.