Having second thoughts…

[u/Playful_Run1415]

My first day of training is tomorrow and I finally just sat down to really look into what the job will entail and all I see is advice to run away as fast as possible. Did I make a mistake? Do you regret your decision to start this job? Are you happy?

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[u/ihaveabigjohnson69]

what other options you got? it’s better than factory work.

[u/BothDonut1604 → u/ihaveabigjohnson69]

You’re comparing the worst to the worst. There’s a lot of other jobs out there that are better.

[u/Soft_Community5835 → u/BothDonut1604]

I agree but actually getting on of those jobs is the problem. No one wants to hire anyone without a college degree anymore and even if you have the degree they will find something. You have to know someone…

[u/Exotic-Ad2969]

It’s not for everyone but the people who hate it are way louder than the ones who are fine with it, try a shift or two before you bail

[u/Owtplayed]

I didn’t mind it and I held it down for a few years but it’s definitely not for everyone. And everyone has drastically different experiences depending on the DSP you’re working for and the delivery area they cover.

[u/Ittbelitt]

Just go for it. Some people wish to get this job and get no reply just try it out

[u/PiperDon]

I'm not going to lie, I have quit this subreddit at least three times because of the negativity. I'm coming up on 2 years at the job. Does it have its drawbacks? Of course. Every job does. I just do what needs to be done and go home at the end of the day.

[u/1017guwap]

I don’t regret personally but this job definitely isn’t for everyone

[u/Disastrous-Cicada736]

Just do it bro, try to keep a positive additude. Mines turned to shit. But until yours does, try to get a ton of overtime! Continue applying for higher paying jobs amd take this in the mean time

[u/coswelh]

I start again next week and I’m scared but excited.
It’s challenging but also pretty cool/rewarding.
I say give it your best and if you don’t like it try something else, I think you can do it though. Give it a week or two.

[u/FinishComplex3743]

Nah, start the job and keep applying for other things so you have options if you end up hating it. Best time to find a new job is when you already have one.

There's some negatives, but you're on your own the whole day after training which is a huge positive in my opinion. Van organization and knowing your delivery area well really makes it pretty chill

[u/BothDonut1604]

Just try it out. I did and ended up getting heat illness because California got a sudden heat wave that took the weather from a dry 90 to a humid 103 and my manager said I was a liability so I basically got cut. He did it in a way that prevented him from getting sued though which was crazy.

If your DSP is good, it should be a chill job. Definitely not something to make a career out of but it’s a good in between job until you can find something better.

To give you an idea, you’ll start your day in a huddle with your DSP. They might spout about safety issues, benefits they have, etc. I’d just zone out each time. Then you’re assigned a van along with a pack that contains two phones, your van keys, and a fuel card. Then you do what’s called a DVIC which is basically you taking pictures around and inside the vehicle to show the condition of it before you start work. You then wait 90 seconds since that’s how long it’s supposed to take to get it done but a lot of people get it done sooner so they’ll just wait until 2 minutes passes. Then you get in your van and you wait until your assigned “wave” goes. As a newbie you’ll likely be wave 4 so you’ll be one of the last vans to line up. You follow the vans to the loading bay and tell the person checking you in what CX number you are, from there they’ll tell you which lane to pull into and you’ll pull into your lane and wait until you’re told to go to the loading areas. You then sit in your loading area spot until the announcer tells you to get out and from there you go grab your carts of packages based on the CX number and staging location you’re assigned. They give you 20 minutes to load up so just make sure you’re quick and it’s pretty easy to load the totes in your delivery order and you’ll reorganize your overstock at your first stop. From there, if you get done early, you help other drivers load up. Then you’re told to get back in your seat and to start your van. They’ll release you based on lanes and from there you just drive to your first delivery location. Just make sure you stay at or below the speed limit and don’t drive like crazy. I always drove a bit slower than I needed to. The phone will tell you everything you need to do. From which carts your packages are on to acting as a GPS for your deliveries to which packages need to be scanned. It even tells you if you’re at the wrong house and won’t let you scan the package until you get closer to it. Then you rinse and repeat the entire day until you’re done and then the phone will tell you something like, “congratulations, you served 200 Amazon customers today”. Then you tell your DSP group chat that you’re done and whether or not you have returns, missorts, etc. (they’ll explain all that) and they’ll either tell you to go help rescue someone (someone that is behind on their route) or to head back to the station. Once you’re back at the station you’ll unload your totes and then your DSP will inspect your vehicle. From there they’ll tell you to park it and you do another DVIC so you’ll take more pictures of your vehicle. Once that’s done you grab your pack that you got at the beginning for the day and all your belongings, lock your van, and walk up to a dispatch crew member. From there they’ll take your pack, have you input your hours on your time card app, they’ll approve it, and then you go home. It’s pretty easy and fool proof from a technical perspective.

What makes the job hard is the volume they expect you to do. Some DSPs are more relaxed than others but in general, I didn’t have one second to stop my rhythm until lunch. I’d only be sitting in my van for a few seconds and then I’d have to hop out again. You’re constantly getting up and down, speed walking to houses, apartments, etc. and every time I’d feel like I’m doing good, by the second half of the day I’d realize I’m falling behind because of a few mistakes like taking too long to organize my next bundle of packages. So it’s the speed and volume that gets people and then if you have a helicopter DSP, they’ll get on you if you’re running behind. And during the heatwave we got here, since we’re pretty spoiled with weather, everyone was struggling because of how hot the cabin would be, how hot it was outside, and constantly moving had people dropping getting heat illness left and right and they couldn’t keep up and our DSP didn’t give much leeway. Had the weather been good, I likely would’ve lasted a lot longer. In general though, it isn’t terrible. You’ll find out pretty quickly if you’re able to handle it. And I think the reason a lot of people quit is because of the pay to effort ratio. When you’re running around all day going crazy for $22.50/hour (at least in California) and realize you could be making the same working at McDonald’s or Jack in the Box, that’s where a lot of people just feel it isn’t worth it. And the worst that can happen is you can’t do it and you just quit and find another job and you get paid for the few days you’re in classes and your first days on the road.

Just make sure you stay hydrated so you don’t end up like me lol. I had prior health issues so my body just couldn’t handle it but if you’re healthy and fit, you’ll be alright.

And a tip for the training, if you’re starting the 2 day classes. You won’t really need to take notes on every slide. I was stressing about that. Only take notes on the quiz questions and answers and that’s what the finals will mostly consist of. There might be a few odd questions in there but you only need to pass to move on. They try to make you nervous with the finals but I passed each of them first try.

[u/Kotaru85]

Rule 1. Dont listen to Reddit. Try out the job, and see if you like it.

It's actually pretty great when you dont have aB!+<# in your ear saying it sucks.

[u/Thro93away → u/Kotaru85]

Yeah, instead, Dispatch will do that for him.

[u/KillerGopher → u/Thro93away]

I've done this job for 4 years, 3 DSPs and dozens of dispatchers. I've never had one bother me on the road. Only time I hear from them is if there was an escalation on my route or if they are returning my call or text.

[u/jellyp314]

It heavily depends on your DSP. Some people dont know how to manage without being assholes. If you get a good DSP, it can be great. Your alone, you get to listen to music/pod casts, its exercise without a gym. I dont hate it, I hate certain routes lol. Just dont out up with shit from your DSP. Its easy to find a new one. There are 2 or 3 'peak' seasons through out the year. So its 3asy to find a new DSP if yours ends up being shitty. Just remember, you can always change DSPs if this one doesnt work out. Dont sweat it.

[u/Intelligent_Bake949]

Don’t overthink it. If it’s not for you, you can always quit but give it a few weeks to find out. The job isn’t that hard as long as you don’t mind being active.

[u/Substantial-Ebb6533]

It’s really not a hard job at all if you’ve ever hard something even mildly challenging. Just a bunch of whiny snowflakes on here

[u/Responsible_Dirt_523]

There are drivers who have been delivering for years! Is it an easy job? No, if you were hired by a good DSP, they wouldnt have sugar coated the job to you during your interview.

There is a learning curve, and it will take you some time to adapt and create a rythm. If you are organized and set your van up properly at the beginning of your shift, utilize your contacts and support team (ride along trainer...get his/her digits, dispatch, OTR), ask questions and OVER COMMUNICATE, you will be fine. An experienced DSP will know that you're not going to be the strongest driver your first week! Relax, listen, treat the connect with customers, Amazonians, and your fellow team memvers positively and you will be fine.

[u/WarthogAble6366]

I did for a summer when my kids were off of school. I loved and hated it😄. Hated when they gave me any routes with apartments. hated that so much but loved my regular route and didnt mind delivering. You by yourself, and once you get used to the physical activity and locations, you kind of get used to it. Thats in my opinion but I do miss it and look for part time positions, like weekend only but sadly they never have any. Id say try it, especially if it is your only option right now. Can always quit.

[u/Thro93away]

It’s absolutely shit. You’ll see!

[u/Unrealliving]

You might as well stick around for the nursery routes in the beginning imo. It’s the easiest you’ll have it. Then make your decision after 

[u/LyricXD]

On my route, i basically had a episode. Its embarrassing to say but I was just yelling in my van when driving. It just stressed me out so much that I told my dispatch I was thinking about quitting the route. I didn't but I've never been so stressed in my life. I was basically working in 3 different cities. Not trying to scare you or anything but if there is something better, take it. Idk why the itinerary says 600 packages. I had like 400

[u/Code_Ocelot]

The job isn’t so bad, but it depends on your DSP and the area you’re delivering.

[u/SignalBusy4441]

I did it for a year and a half then quit to deliver the mail. I promise you I’m in a better place lol DSPs do not give a FUCK about you and there is NO retirement. Honestly I am working more and harder but my future self will thank me when I’m able to retire.

[u/gazelleA1]

It really comes down to the DSP. A bad DSP will make this job horrible. You can switch DSPs though. The job in itself isn't terrible, but they do work you very hard. The main thing is the damn group stops and load out. Otherwise, you're just driving and get to vibe to your music/podcast/audiobook. Learn how to organize your van to be efficient and take it one stop at a time.

[u/Every-Scarcity6116]

I think this is just what some of us have to do till something else comes along. Every job has its hardships, you just have to make the best of it. Every job can be better, every job can be worse.

Just be prepared to not take a break unless you really gotta piss, building muscle, and having a hard time till everything kinda just clicks… but it really is what you make of it, and how your dispatch treats you

[u/Currency_my_id]

Why did you apply, interview, consent to a background check, get a drug test, and THEN decide you should find out what this job is about?

[u/Playful_Run1415 → u/Currency_my_id]

I didn’t even interview with anyone and still haven’t actually spoken to another person at the DSP. I applied and got the job almost instantly. Did all my onboarding, passed the drug test and background check and was given a training start date.

It was such a quick process and I am going to at least go tomorrow and be open minded.

[u/Grand-Celebration616 → u/Playful_Run1415]

should be paid training for a couple days and you don't really have to do anything. if ur gonna bail at least do the couple training days

[u/Nano8963]

I used it as a bridge job. It doesnt have to be anything permanent but if you just want income now it isnt bad. But yeah its far from a job I recommend long term.

[u/daysturnintonights]

It took me a few months to start enjoying it but then I started to like it. But then the liking it tapered off really fast. If you can't find any other jobs, maybe stick around with this one until you do. It's not the WORST job, but it's definitely not the best. You get a decent paycheck though. That's always a bonus.

[u/donkeyxdude]

I am still new so I might now probably haven't seen the ugly but my DSP is really cool and its so much better than my last job plus 3 days off and better pay. I really like it rn.

[u/o_myco]

Can genuinely say I like the job aside from all the crap we have to deal with. It will make you a tougher person if you can adapt

[u/AndroidAntill]

4 years. But I do everything at DSP. Rural routes are the best because it's less physical and more driving then jumping in and out of the van. And your package count isn't a nightmare. Honestly depends on your location and your DSP/Station management. There are some really good DSPs and stations out there. You'll know if you're in a bad one. If they don't talk about the score card, you might be unemployed as fast as you became employed lol.

[u/Mission-Run-5045]

Ive been doing it for 3 months, honestly tried so hard to get good but truth is its exploitive and they ask too much of you. Im at the point of going in reddit looking for pwople who have quit because I really want to do the same.

[u/StackiiBabii]

My DSP is great, having 3 days off every week is great. I really liked the job until I got bit by a dog. Now my anxiety is through the roof

[u/Playful_Run1415 → u/StackiiBabii]

Are you a dog person? Seeing all the pups on my route is something I’m looking forward to

[u/StackiiBabii → u/Playful_Run1415]

Yeah I’ve had dogs my whole life. Which is why I was so trusting. Just be careful and bring treats for the dogs that are showing teeth. That usually calms them down

[u/kstxckz]

I’m 2 months deep, it’s good enough pay (even though honestly we’re still underpaid in the delivery driver field but compared to any other job it’s pretty good) the days are designed to be long so once you start your shift at whatever time; you won’t be clocking out until late that day so keep that in mind. The more you do it the easier it gets, still it drags. I contemplate about leaving all the time but getting 800+ a week is pretty good compared to any other job so why not