27 tell-tale signs you’re an Expert Delivery Driver Courier

What does a delivery driver do?

Professional Roadtripper. Independent Contractor.

Apps and Gig Work.

What is an expert?

27 Signs you’re an experienced courier.

A Job with Wheels: A Journey to a Career on the Road.

The Supply Chain: All the Bottom Tales of Logistics

What makes you an expert?

As many as 140 addresses per day.

An average of 1,200 miles per week, as many as 2,800.

25,000+ hours and over 750,000 miles traveled and logged.

According to Malcom Gladwell, if you did anything for 10,000 hours, you could be an expert. This made me an expert in two areas. 1980’s tennis and drinking. Only one of those subjects is important enough to save a life.

-Matthew Perry (Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing)

A Decade of Delivery

10 years as a Professional Roadtripper!

In February 2015; I signed a contract with a logistics company. Way back in 2006, I had worked for Domino’s and Vocellis, delivering pizzas. In the Mapquest era; Before GPS navigation!

**Nuclear Medicine** is radioactive.
Packaged with lead, and is *extremely heavy.*

Since working for US Pack; I’ve delivered nuclear medicine, auto parts, and pharmaceutical prescriptions (BIG PHARMA). I’ve also picked up various other gigs through Uber, Door Dash, and Spark. Heck, I’ve even worked for The Amish.

**Dolly Sods for a Hiking Excursion**
*The Amish wanted to go..*.

After all these years (and mileage), I still enjoy driving. I think I’ll always enjoy delivery. It gets me “outta the house”.

Knocking on doors and meeting new people. Better yet, seeing warm familiar faces. Oh! And petting all the dogs. And don’t forget the sunrises! Or discovering new places.

The Most Exciting Job

With delivery, each day is different. Sure, the same road and scenery can get tiring. However, each day provides it’s own set of surprises and challenges. Each day has its own variables. Every day is different.

It’s an interesting career.

Knowing VS Understanding
It takes *time*!

27 Tell Tale Signs you’re an Expert Delivery Driver:

The everchanging view from your windshield never gets old. Each day, you get to see the beauty of the Earth.

I’ve seen the Spring colors poppin up, the trees growing, then the Fall colors unmask.

Finding addresses is like, your super power. Even if the house has no number; you can basically figure it out before arriving.

Houses without numbers are like, your kryptonite. Come on, people! (When in doubt, you always make phone calls) A undeliverable package is better than a wrong delivery.

Truly, you do make an effort.
Because they’re *expecting it.*

Your head is full of addresses. Saved with names. You can name off dogs too. Basically, your brain is an address book with immediate family tidbits.

So and so live there with their brother-in-law. They’ve got two Yorkie dogs; Milo and Pip. She’s a master gardner, he’s a welder.

You’re used to buying gas multiple times a week. Oil changes every month. New tires about once a year. The maintenance is upkeep, but you keep up.

And the real struggle of keeping your vehicle clean, too!

You have an approach method for dogs. You generally have zero fear of dogs. Small dogs probably scare you more than large dogs. You’ve likely been bit a few times.

Meet & Greet
Yep. I enjoy doing *this* part time too.
Seeing ALL THE DOGS is **my favorite part!**

You’ve been everywhere. Out of town, around town, into the city. Within a sizeable radius; You know just about every Coal and Shanty Town. And you’ve stumbled upon the coolest places!

Advertising for Hot Dog Fork:
Of course, I went!

Throughout the day; your nose takes you on an adventure. On the porch, you smell everyone’s house. The smell of spaghetti in an apartment complex hallway. Or delivering rotisserie chicken. Other times, you smell 39 cats outside the home.

You know all about proper footwear. You do realize that not every house has a sidewalk, or a path walk way. You’ve trudged in the mud just about everyday.

Are OBOZ Boots any good? (A well-worn, 3 year review)

“The Further out from the main road, the more crazy”.. and you’ve got some really interesting stories. The folks that live way out, are out there! The more you get to know them, you admire their resourcefulness.

Can a Deaf Person Hear?
Some folks *know how* to adapt!

You’ve seen crazy things. Just about daily: You will likely stumble upon some musing or oddity.

You genuinely appreciate good delivery instructions. Some instructions will have you laughing!

You’re always getting free stuff. People are kind to share garden veggies, or extra food. Or someone will unload themselves off with unwanted (but so cool!) knick-knacks. Plus all the freebies found on the side of the road!

I was given an “unidentified vegetable” once!
Later, I found out it *was* **Patty Pan Squash**.

You’re used to the outdoor elements. The cold air doesn’t bother you. But, know all about how to dress for the day. Layers. To stay warm. Single temps, multiple layers!

On the flip side, you’ve been swamped in sweat. Pushing through, feeling like your internal organs are cooked. Three digit temps, multiple extra waters!

Delivering Big Pharma in the
Summer Heat

Fixing flat tires. You’ve had more than a few. By now, you can get back on the road in less than 20 minutes.

You have a knock. A signature way of letting people know you’re at the door. And you know that knocking on screendoors doesn’t really “work”.

Buying water is your biggest pet peeve! You understand all about packing a cooler. Drinks and snacks are nice to have.

You’ve spent an hour on somebody’s porch having the best visit. Sometimes it’s a complete stranger, that you’ve never met.

Other times, familiar faces can be a hold up. On busy days, with a route to complete. It leaves little time to visit. “We’ll chat more next time!”

Along the way, you’ve had so many close encounters and near misses. You’ve been around some real foolishness on the roads. You know the importance of space, speed, and distance on the highway. The worst drivers only care about where THEY are going.

**Reaction time is EVERYTHING**
Arrive Alive!
Slow down, Save a Life!

You realize the toll on your body. After spending years behind the wheel. Your neck, back, and shoulders have paid the price.

You’ve really come to understand the world is full of all kinds of people (and dogs!). You’ve seen the stark contrast between neighbors. You’ve seen so many walks of life. Ways people live. Discovering how interesting life can be.

You enjoy the solitude. Most of the day you’re alone. Driving from one stop to the next stop. Usually music in the background. Sometimes you just enjoy the silence.

You appreciate good flowing organization. You start by loading deliveries and making piles. Simply put, without deliveries in order; it would not get completed. Time is of essence, and you realize the importance of each step. Each second counts!

Buy Less, Create More. 15 TIPS FOR CLEANING, ORGANIZING, FRUGAL LIVING, SAVING MONEY: TIP #3

You keep great track of time. You’re constantly thinking about the next thing that needs done. Fitting hours into a schedule gives you satisfaction. Somehow it all works!

The Mindful Journey: 13 TIPS for Mindfulness, Awareness, Productivity, and Living Intentionally. Tip #12

In the Supply Chain of Logistics: The driver is at the bottom of the chain of command. You’ve found yourself in different uncomfortable situations. In the end: It’s not what they (the customer) do, or what the company does. As the “middle man” you must meet the expectations for both parties. You understand and know how important every word/action is. You truly try to do what is right. Intentionally, you keep your job. You gotta be responsible. And super, super friendly!

“Care and Be Responsible: It is The Way”
Thanks For Giving

Get Ready, Get Set…

Go!

I bet you’ve got many crazy stories, too.

The Supply Chain never ends!

A job “on the go” is not for everyone. Only a few understand the challenges. If these tell-tale signs resonate with you. Kudos to the ROAD WARRIORS for sticking with it!

Wake up, Dogs! (The morning routine EVERYONE needs)

As you wake up for the day, and begin: You get ready for whatever the day brings. Get dressed, pack a cooler, and head out. Start your engine and pull up a playlist!

“Start Trip”

No matter the weather; Bright and Sunny, or cold and snowy. (Cool grey days are my FAVORITE WEATHER!)

Or wherever you’re traveling:

Interstate

City Streets

Rural Backroads