No matter how big your rt is there are only so many roads on it. Eventually you'll get to where you'll visualize an address by just looking at it on pkg. Don't worry about GPS, a map of the area is all you'll need. Newhires tend to over think things, but it's really only a matter of a week or two to be comfortable. After a month you'll know just about everything you can know about it.
Off to Courier School
- Thread starter MassWineGuy
- Start date
whenIgetthere
Well-Known Member
I agree, with a map, you can laminate it. Then mark the stops with an erasable marker. You can then get "the big picture" with just a glance at your map. And the batteries on my maps never die!
MassWineGuy
Well-Known Member
Thanks, whenI and vantexan. I will definitely buy a good map of the area and try to just do it.
I have a gps in my truck on all the time. Mostly for the clock. The only time I use it for addresses is at the beginning of the day if I have a street I'm not familiar with. Once the gps shows me where the street is I then mark it on my laminated map. Also I have updated the mapping in the gps and there are still newer roads not in it that are on my paper maps. Never have used it for turn by turn navigation on my current route either.
hypo hanna
Well-Known Member
Imo, Turn by turn navigation is a crutch that only delays someone from becoming an effective courier. With practice, you should be able to look at a map and memorize the turns to your destination. Just like you should have memorized your next 3 to 5 stops. Sadly, fedex has givin up on developing drivers with those kind of skills. Better to pay as little as they can and hope DRA will get them there on time. Problem is, DRA can't adjust on the fly. Weather, changes in traffic patterns, added oncall pickups or reattempts have to be calculated into the route after the driver is on road and those kind of skills take time and practice to acquire.
This is way I think primarily pickup routes are more challenging then deliveries. On calls are booked throughout the evening with one hour commitments and lots of unknown variables (pieces, weight etc often with incorrect info from the call centers). All of this has to be accounted for by the driver. This is why I thought it was incredibly dumb of fedex to cut out shift differential pay. If anything, they should have increased it to try and retain more experienced drivers on the PM shift.
This is way I think primarily pickup routes are more challenging then deliveries. On calls are booked throughout the evening with one hour commitments and lots of unknown variables (pieces, weight etc often with incorrect info from the call centers). All of this has to be accounted for by the driver. This is why I thought it was incredibly dumb of fedex to cut out shift differential pay. If anything, they should have increased it to try and retain more experienced drivers on the PM shift.
Operational needs
Virescit Vulnere Virtus
I always loved the challenge of a PM route. Not so tedious as a delivery route.
You talking about experienced drivers on PM, makes me think of what a mgr told me recently. Seems one of our new hire, not much English speaking couriers called him one evening and said she was having problems getting in back door of an office building to pickup the dropbox. He asked if she tried the front door. No. LMAO! Can't make this stuff up.
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MassWineGuy
Well-Known Member
That's truly funny. Why would you start at the back door, anyway, unless the customer specifically said so?
As for FedEx paying as little as possible, $17.74/hour isn't $34/hour, but it's not as low as it could be. I think that to work full time at UPS as a driver means giving up a very large chunk of your life and humanity because the company is often so overbearing and pressures drivers so hard. It's definitely a choice and I applaud those who can make it work for them.
For what I wanted, a part time permanent job, this FedEx gig is fine.
Operational needs
Virescit Vulnere Virtus
Pickup had notes that Dropbox was inside back entrance
MassWineGuy
Well-Known Member
There you are then.
Operational needs
Virescit Vulnere Virtus
It all boils down to, as long as it works for you and you come in with your eyes open, that's ALL that matters. Only YOU know what works for you and your family, not random strangers on an internet site. I hope it works well for you.
MassWineGuy
Well-Known Member
It all boils down to, as long as it works for you and you come in with your eyes open, that's ALL that matters. Only YOU know what works for you and your family, not random strangers on an internet site. I hope it works well for you.
That's how I feel. So far, I like it. The people I work with are pleasant, and managers don't breathe down my neck or yell at me. Today's my first day solo on the route. Oh boy!
Operational needs
Virescit Vulnere Virtus
One thing about working at FedEx, EVERYONE I've ever known who has left fedex for whatever reason, has always said the same thing... They missed the people.
I've always found that with almost all of the many mgrs I've had through the years, if you screw up give them a heads up. They appreciate it. I've never been disciplined for making a mistake and telling them. That way they aren't blindsided. I mean from an over looked pkg at the end of the day to a run in with a customer. Our courier/management relationship is much different, on average than driver/management at UPS. Not as confrontational. Not saying you won't get an a-hole now and then.
hypo hanna
Well-Known Member
This is exactly what I'm talking about. His thought process wasn't to try another door, it was to call his manager to ask for help.
MrFedEx
Engorged Member
Ah, the "honeymoon" phase. Let me know when it's over, and it won't be long.
whenIgetthere
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing the honeymoon will be worn off right around December 1st, Cyber Monday!
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