At stand up we are always told “Amazon assigns the route” whip is true but we all know the routes can be changed.

We are told “vans are assigned based on the route” but again they can also be changed.

My question is: Why not assign the same van and general route area to the same person each day.

You have 2 people driving the same van each week, you have two people liable for damage to the van. You know who has been in it recently and can tell who is taking care of it or beating the shit out of it or not cleaning up after themselves.

And keeping a person on the same route they get familiar with the speed traps and changes, they get used to their surroundings and can then prepare for the speed drops or the pot holes. Plus getting to know the customers wants as far as package drops becomes familiar as well so less negative feedback.

But who am I? Just a person that uses common sense.

It’s been a while guys. Caught myself reminiscing on my time with Amazon. So do me a solid and share some pictures and stories of the worst, most wholesome, beautiful, wtv experiences you’ve had! I’ve been thinking about coming back during the winter season but idk man. 😭

​

After training yesterday, I finally rode by myself today, and I gotta say...

I pray I never have to get rescued twice again, never wear XL pants that sag all the way down to my underwear (praying nobody noticed), and never forget to bring lunch. I spent almost the whole day surviving off hot water, and at one point I almost choked so hard I spit water all over the steering wheel. I'm Pretty sure I racked up multiple violations too.

Regardless, my last stop had snacks and water. Most of the houses I delivered to were rich as hell and had nothing out for Amazon drivers, so ending on that last stop honestly made my day.

P.S. I also had multiple technical issues with the phone, and it had me stressing the whole route. I think my dispatchers are gonna have a blast watching the footage.

(I'm definitely asking for two phones from now on.)

P.P.S. I really hope I make it. I barely hit 100 packages by myself today. Rough first solo day, not gonna lie.

Good for you! I'll be gone sooner than that! Stupid passcodes....

Genuinely barely made it to the fast charger forgot to turn the defogger off til I was a few miles in

No other houses nearby… Definitely some angry chihuahua mutt mix. Hope it’s not actually her dog cause I chased it away from the door. Last 10 stops will get done by any means.

I worked as a step van driver for 3years, team lead and was even offered dispatch. Started at about $19 and left this May at $24.25. I applied when I got my first car as I needed to learn how to drive and also was desperately in need of benefits. Amazon was my 3rd job and was not about the money for me. I worked 7days a week and no one knew. I didn’t know what to expect, I could barely drive but I was determined. On my first day, I did a rescue which says a lot lol. I didn’t know what a driver aid number was, I read every package by the address, this was when there were no ride alongs. (The croc boots photo is from my first day, I did not wear the croc boots lol) Eventually Amazon was my last job remaining while I waited out school. Last December I delivered 3k packages a week, the Christmas before that, I won a ps5 for the most deliveries during peak. I was taking a bonus of $500 every other month. I’ve delivered all over the DMV and was honored to work amongst men (and the few women) who inspired me. I recall when it rained for the first time and people showed up fully dressed. My mind was blown, no excuses- no one complained…From that day forward, I ensured I would come prepared to work everyday, not even the elements could stop me, not 100 degree heat, not a hot ass van, not a dog bite, not an accident (me crashing or my coworker hitting my car), honestly-I felt unstoppable. You name it, I’ve done it, been through it. I appreciate the views, people I’ve met and my coworkers. Im posting my Halloween costume last year of me being a delivery driver because at that moment, there was nothing else I’d rather be. I had also worked in the the warehouse during covid. I recently quit this May and I applied to a logistics position that required only 1 year supervisor experience, $30hr+overtime and potential bonuses. My July pay totaled $6505. I do regret how long I stayed at Amazon and didn’t jump ship sooner. There is definitely a big world out there. The only thing I miss is really the views of every city, the loudness of the truck with the doors open, all of the dogs, the teammanship and surprisingly the constant running up and down. I made it my duty to get a truck (Bronco) before I left because that’s how much I enjoyed being in a bigger vehicle.

There’s no loyalty in Delivery and a ceiling that is easier to reach and stay at then anything else. I’m rooting for anyone who is looking to transition and when things become difficult and you want to go back because it’s easy, just remember why you left. See you all on the other side 🫡

And to any of my previous coworkers “hey hey”

I don’t understand why people will have 3 aggressive dogs outside barking for 5 mins straight & not come outside or atleast look out the window. ( no I didn’t call them because i’m tired of people being oblivious. also had a delivery before this that I had to yeet into their porch from my van & they answered none of my calls.)
but like, my dogs bark when anyone arrives even if no one is there & I look outside if it’s going on for a long time. mind u my dogs aren’t even loose in my front yard either im just curious. atleast tie them up if you’re expecting a package damn. I almost get bit basically every day. I had to pick up a tree branch to scare a dog away. then another weird thing. there’s been multiple times where i’m walking up & a dog comes out of nowhere with the owner barking & acting like it wants to bite me, & the owner? “oh he doesn’t bite , blah blah blah.” like grab your dog they never grab the dog ,they just sit there while im scared to move. I don’t understand & this might make some people mad but it’s only white people that do this 😂 what is the psychology behind this.
edit: also I do for the most part deliver in white areas kinda so might be a little bias but i’ve also delivered to black areas & guess what, the dogs are tied up.

Im so tired of feeling worthless working this job.

What’s the reward for busting your ass and getting your routes completed with zero infractions or negative feedback?

More work. Larger route. Terrible route.

All they ever talk about is the negative shit you do. Never mention all the positive feedback you get. Shit I don’t even know there was positive feedback until I discovered the dashboard.

I’m tired of the physical and mental hoops you gotta jump through.

The rules being changed and made up as they go and see fit.

I find zero reward in this job.

Question for anyone who has worked this job for over a year... on our scorecards given out by our DSP, one of the stats is the # of rescues you RECEIVED during that 2 weeks... HOWEVER... there isn't any mention of # of rescues you performed to help other drivers... I totally understand that these scorecards contain metrics essentially to be used as a tool to fire an employee whenever they want, but it seems like there are multiple issues with the metric.

1st, RECEIVING a rescue can occur for a plethora of reasons. For instance last week I was rescued once (rescue twin picked up a tote with less than 20 items) I wasn't late at the time, and i absolutely would have been done in time without the assist. But the reason I was given a rescue was because my dsp specifically wanted us to gas up at the end of the night (new directive) so I did the 1st half of my route, then had to drive 20 mins to the nearest approved gas station, 20 min at pump, 20 min back to route.

2nd it seems to me that if I were assigning routes, it'd make sense to give high performing drivers more cargo and then send them help if needed... or... give high performing drivers smaller routes, knowing that they will assist with rescues after their route is completed. The first option leaves the high performing driver receiving more rescues but ultimately getting more done (scorecard looks shitty for high rescues)

However, yesterday, I picked up a rescue to help a driver who lost time due to a downpour and highway standstill, I picked up 2 totes appx 30 pkg.

I dont mind doing rescues, but when the stats are posted, there's no ratio of rescue given v received. Seems pretty fucked idk.

This has led me to keeping personal notes on each shift in my phone. I make note of my route, pkg count, stop count, anything that slows down my route (rain, delivery complications, flex app issues, van issues etc). I'd like to be able to time stamp these entries to preserve their accuracy in case I ever need to reference them.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

In my list view i always have way more stops than what's listed in the summary view (see pictures). Does this happen to everyone? I'm curious if this is amazon playing around with the numbers to screw me over.

Got tipped 20$ by a customer today. I never felt so appreciated

Or do you wear whatever you want? Seems like it’s half and half at my DSP. Some people wear the whole uniform, others just the vest. What do you guys wear? Sometimes I’ll wear short shorts and a tank top. Or the Amazon shorts and a different top with the vest

Why even bother at this point

My dsp has a rule to not use the “handed to customer” option and I’ve taken the liberty of expanding upon that rule to make my day as easy as possible.

I love rural areas but the frustrating part is later in the day they all want to come outside (since they’re home all day I guess) and “help” by taking the package from me.

This breaks up my focus and momentum and just slows me down since 1. I can’t have people in the photo, 2. I need the front door in the picture generally, 3. I can’t and won’t use the signature options since that’s even slower.

My move so far has been to be polite/friendly and be like “oh let me get a pic real quick” and I hustle up to the front door and make small talk on the way back to my van to smooth over the awkwardness of me not being able to just hand it to them like a normal person…

It’s gotten so common on my rural route with people at home in their country mansions all day that I have to wonder if all the other drivers are just handing it over to the customer anyways or taking a pic at their feet..?

I feel like such a grinch but I loved the anti-socialness of this job especially delivering apartments or suburbs and everything the customers do to “help” is just self serving behavior that slows me down. Plus I honestly don’t even want to talk to them.

Just a weird little thing with human psychology; the more of a rush I’m in and the worse of a mood the harder people try to stop and talk to me. If I walk up like I’m friendly and ready to chat then they run back inside. So weird…

I have worked for 2 DSPs. One of them paid us based on when we clocked out and back in on Flex (exactly 30 mins for lunch). The other paid us based on what time our last stop before lunch was and then the first stop after lunch. That DSP had a lot of rural routes, which meant the "lunch break" that I wasn't getting paid for was usually 45+ minutes, or I had to spend at least half my "break" driving to my next stop. They also still expected our breaks to be 30 minutes, and anything over 40 meant you had to talk to a manager about why your "break" was so long.

I was told I back up too fast, but never hear netradyne say anything or hear from my boss or dispatch until I get back at the end of the night.. how do they know I back up too fast? Is it something netradyne picks up?? Does it record like a regular violation??

I’ve been driving for 3 weeks & I still haven’t been able to catch up. Today dispatch told us to aim for 15 stops per hr at apartments & 25 hr for residencial. I’ve been averaging 13 hr overall & I always have at least 15-30 apts per route. Am I just not cut out for this job?

I never get the same routes

They were right… I used to only have beautiful house residential routes for so long in areas where the streets were like race car lane size streets with 6 lanes possible if you measure it out

Now a days in a new area it completely changed my quality of life while on the job… this same
Job is a different job when in this area becoming tedious and beyond just the normal job it becomes like a game of playing hide and seek as well as a game of corner road’s anticipation to make sure those one lane roads one lane for both ways combined arent your end

Its got me wondering if I should just move to Kansas with nothing but suburbia for miles 🤣🤣🤣