Hello, everyone!
Well, you've done it again. You reminded me of why I find myself running reader interactions so often (and why I like them so much) despite the fact that I have to read hundreds of emails. It's because almost every single one of those emails is worth reading! You lot are the best readership an old lady could ask for, and as long as I keep getting responses like I did this week, these little back-and-forth games will never end!
Enough congratulatory waffling, though – on with the show (the roadshow, if you will – yes, old ladies can be witty too!) Now, if you recall, last time around, I asked you to tell me what you thought some of the essential tools and skills were for a courier driver. I also specified that it could be either a bicycle courier or a van driver, although most of you understood the term 'driver' to mean we were talking about van couriers. It's no matter, though – it didn't influence the quality of your answers, which were as good as ever, just the scope. I've still had enough material to sort through, and goodness knows leaving some of those out was hard! Anyway, after careful selection, here are my favourites.
'I think one of the most essential things for a courier driver to have – and which is both a tool and a skill – is a form of orientation. That is to say, either a GPS, a map, or something else which helps him or her get around in timely and efficient fashion. Now, like I said, this may either be a physical tool or a skill – some drivers I know have a mental GPS! Either way, it's very useful and I'd say essential for someone who works as a courier.' - Dan, Cumbria
'I'm sure you don't want to hear obvious answers such as 'a van' or 'parcels to deliver', so I'm going to make mention of a yellow (or orange) vest. As you know, you need to have one of these on at all times when on the road, but for a courier driver they can have an entire other meaning – they can help him or her be identified by customers at a distance. Regular drivers usually shed that thing as soon as they step out of the car, but couriers tend to leave it on, for a number of reasons. So if you see a van stop in front of your house and a little man in a reflective jacket steps out, you know it's a parcel coming!' - John, London
'As a courier driver, my schedule is my best friend. I always keep one in my van and use it to organise each day's deliveries. It helps me make the most of my time, and even if it doesn't prevent me from working long hours most of the time, it certainly does make my life far less stressful!' - George, Gloucestershire.
'Definitely joining an online exchange is the very best tool a courier driver can have. I know not everyone wants to drag themselves into the technological age, but believe me, joining an exchange is the best way to keep yourself in business! Since I joined I haven't looked back – and folks, it's really not as hard as some of you might think.' Andy, London
See what I mean about fantastic answers? And there were so many others like these! I wish I had the space to publish them all, but alas...
See you next time, everyone!
Ta-ra!
- Gertie
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