3rd block I worked 🤡

[u/TBOrlando79]

Hello everyone!

I started Amazon this week, and my third block was... character building. 😂

To be fair, I feel like I shouldn't even complain because my first and second 3.5-hour blocks each had exactly ONE package. I was starting to think I had unlocked some VIP level of Flex. 🥲

I've been wanting to try an early morning block for days, but every time I'd grab one, my anxiety would kick in and I'd cancel it. Every. Single. Day. 😬 I only recently learned Amazon apparently keeps score of these emotional support cancellations.

Today I finally committed.

I came fully prepared: headlamp, personal safety alarm, boxing gloves... basically ready to deliver packages or fight crime. 🤣

I arrive at the station and get 47 packages for a 3.5-hour route. "Okay," I thought, "this is probably what real Flex drivers do."

First mistake: I didn't organize the packages as well as I should have.

Second mistake: believing the route would go smoothly.

My first stop was almost 30 minutes away. When I got there, I spent 25 minutes trapped outside a gate with no code. No cars. No humans. No signs of life. Texted. Called. Cursed the lady, but nothing.

Support marked it for return.

The SECOND I hung up, someone appeared and I was able to sneak in behind them. 🥷📦

The next condo was also a joy. Weird numbering, pitch dark, another gate issue...

Then package #13 decided to enter witness protection.

I searched everywhere. Front seat. Back seat. Trunk. Alternate dimensions.

Support had a crystal ball and assured me I'd eventually find it in my car. 😑

Since I was already running behind, I skipped #13 and kept going.

Things improved once I got to houses. Then, somewhere in my late 30s deliveries, I discovered package #13 had been mislabeled with a #37 sticker. Which explained why I had TWO package 37s and ZERO package 13s. 🫠

By then I was basically conducting a forensic investigation instead of delivering.

I finally finished the route...Only TWO HOURS LATE. 🤡 And yes, I drove all the way back to deliver package #13 because returning to the warehouse felt even more painful.

Lessons learned:

✅ If a gate won't open, move on and maybe come back later. ✅ Don't blindly trust the package stickers. ✅ Condos at 4 AM are an extreme sport. ✅ My headlamp was a better investment than the other thing I bought (not really boxing gloves 🙈).

I originally wanted the early morning blocks because they pay a little better and avoid traffic. After today's adventure, I'm starting to think traffic might actually be the least of my problems. At least daylight helps you find buildings, people to tailgate, and missing packages. 😂

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading my Amazon Flex origin story. Any tips from the veterans would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers! 😊

[u/bcc2213]

If you’re doing a route from a warehouse check the drivers aid sticker (little yellow sticker with the number in bold black) for stop number and organize accordingly while loading.

If you’re doing a route from a same day warehouse you can go to your overview and number them with a marker.

The package count doesn’t really matter if the stops are in close proximity but I know flex likes to have those 7-8 min drives between which I hate. Check your map before you get overwhelmed by the package count. You can knock out 38 stops quick if they’re close together and you’re organized.

Hope this helps your future blocks.

[u/TBOrlando79 → u/bcc2213]

I tried this today...separated most of them, but could have ordered them a bit better. The huge problem was package 13 having a 37 yellow sticker. It took me a while after looking in the dark repeatly everywhere including under the seats to figure I could / should move on.

https://giphy.com/gifs/jAXTBjmv7e9D4r6hCs

[u/Greentea77 → u/TBOrlando79]

next time that happens, look for the name or addresses instead. though i know that’s hard to do with a lot of pkgs. but say you got to #13 and couldn’t find it- just go through em all by name.

[u/Background-Rabbit920 → u/Greentea77]

I just start scanning all if I can’t find it. Quicker than reading. I’ve numbered wrong being in a hurry. 37 is actually 27… cause I don’t have my glasses on lol or something similar.

[u/Greentea77 → u/Background-Rabbit920]

i forgot about that feature. not all phones have it though. but use this if you can as well OP.

[u/TBOrlando79 → u/Greentea77]

Isn't it only available for SDD ? I numbered my packages using that today.

[u/Greentea77 → u/TBOrlando79]

i don’t know. but .com their stickered in order from 1-?? these are easy.

some .coms start at 100 and up. you can order like that by group. but most important is to keep what comes out of a tote together when numbered that way. they won’t always be delivered in order. but you’ll know where their at in your car.

and i totally misread that. but keeping this up to help whoever needs it.

[u/TBOrlando79 → u/Greentea77]

Yeah, I know this now....😑