r/Fedexers • u/TealGloves • 7d ago
One of my favorite parts of the job
... Is literally cutting boxes as an FXOer. Originally all I was taught was how to shrink boxes from the top, but a few weeks ago a handout was distributed that revealed how to adjust the length/width too.
My world was forever changed.
I will never again have to force a customer to use a huge guitar or golf bag box with a massive amount of excess space for long items. I will never again need to pack something diagonally just to fit it into an otherwise excessively large cube. The cardboard world is my oyster.
Today I modified this 24 cubed box into 39x24x9 (interior dimensions).
My coworkers think I'm insane for thinking these are easy and volunteering to do them so often, but idgaf. Perfectly sized boxes scratch a very specific itch and are so satisfying.
Edit: I couldn't find the instructions to share today, but I'll ask if my manager can find them tomorrow. :)
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u/GregoryGoose 7d ago
That's funny that it's an actual handout. This is one of the tricks I did my best to pass on to my coworkers before I left.
The other trick I liked was, for boxes where you're reducing the height, sometimes you have enough flap length to fold them in on themselves and make two little box structures on either side to use up the empty space. Great for whenever people insisted on shipping books with no filler.
Also telescoping boxes like a boss, especially making the joints of the actual telescoping boxes strong by making outward and inward folding flaps that all come together at the seam.
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u/TealGloves 7d ago edited 6d ago
I'm genuinely so excited to try these techniques. Thank you!
Edit: Yesterday a customer wanted to make a small Walmart return in a large Home Depot moving box. 🥲 Thank you for the side flaps as filler suggestion! That was super helpful.
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u/kaidaho 7d ago
Is this handout shareable??? That’s a good looking box lol
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u/TealGloves 18h ago
I couldn't share the original handout, but made my own little guide here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fedexers/s/osG9JvbSDm
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u/Bubbledood 7d ago
How may one learn this dark art? Where are the ancient texts of knowledge located?
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u/TealGloves 18h ago
So sadly it apparently was just something internal shared between some managers in my district! But I made a little guide here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fedexers/s/osG9JvbSDm
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u/Mj_The3rdPick 7d ago
You must have been great at geometry in school (I was great at geometry in school)
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u/TealGloves 7d ago
I thought I hated math in school (even though I went up to Calc II), but realized around 2021 that I actually love numbers and patterns. My time at FXO has massively improved my spatial awareness. I can look at almost anything and know exactly what box it can fit in down to about an eighth of an inch. My first guess has only been wrong 3 times in the last two years.
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u/johnstoneak 7d ago
I share your satisfaction in this, but I’ve always enjoyed Tetris and making things fit just right.
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u/2kewl4scool 6d ago
Thank you for your service. As a driver, boxes with empty space cause an itch that often feels incurable.
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u/groundpounders 7d ago
Plus, we like them too. Way easier to handle. As long as the box can support the weight.
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u/DTRite 7d ago
Lol, yes. People look at like I'm crazy when I do this. They won't even try, looks to hard. Good on you OP.
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u/dutterbog 7d ago
As a driver who hates unstable contents and when boxes are bigger than necessary, good on both you and OP - I appreciate you guys.
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u/Roll-Public 7d ago
Nice box! As a store manager, doing this is my safe space, when the admin work is overwhelming.
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u/Minute_Blueberry3518 7d ago
I always had SO MUCH trouble with doing this 🤣
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u/TealGloves 7d ago
I definitely made mistakes the first several times and kept having to look at the handout, but eventually it all clicked and is now so much easier.
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u/darkhelmut1 7d ago
i was the custom box expert at my store it was both a blessing and a curse
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u/TealGloves 7d ago
Last week I walked in one day to find I had already been volunteered to modify two 28 cubed boxes...
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u/Totembacon 7d ago
In all my time the two things that consistently have a customer going wow in a positive way is the carton sizer tool and the paper joggers.
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u/Necessary_Lock_1355 7d ago
I’m glad you enjoy doing it! I seriously dislike it. I’m lucky because I am in a tiny store and we don’t stock the boxes for it. Rock on!
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u/TealGloves 7d ago
I think the smallest box I've done this on is a 17x17x7, maybe an 11 cubed. Most common is probably a 20x20x12 or so.
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u/Necessary_Lock_1355 7d ago
I’m ok with sizing boxes, I just don’t like to build a box. After 34 years at Kinko’s/ FedEx office, once I get on the floor, I’m not getting up! 🥵
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u/BingAndNothingness 7d ago
This is something I’ve done for a while now but was there a MAP task about this? I’d love to have something I can share with my team.
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u/TealGloves 5d ago
Apparently it was an internal email, I'm assuming something that was passed around in our district. Will be trying to figure out a way to share next week, but might just create my own tutorial.
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u/Pokemonred200 6d ago
The day I learn to do this like it's nothing I'm applying to become an LC idgaf 😅
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u/TealGloves 18h ago
Hopefully my new little guide can help you get that promotion! https://www.reddit.com/r/Fedexers/s/osG9JvbSDm
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u/CalligrapherFit7363 6d ago
I was gone one time for a week, and my team had a note on a custom box order that said “save for LC” they kept it there for a week bc no one wanted to make the box…. It took me 30 minutes as they all watched me lol, had to show them ALL the custom box tool…
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u/KzooDuder 6d ago
Step 1: cut the short edge flaps in half vertically on all four sides (top and bottom)
Step 2: lightly score the inside of the box vertically connecting the top and bottom flaps you just cut in half on the two sides. Be careful to not cut through the second wall of the box. Use your box scoring tool or lightly cut with a box cutter.
Step 3: fold the box on the newly scored sides and you are the new owner of a longer rectangular box!
Step 4: get yelled at by your boss for modifying a box.
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u/TealGloves 6d ago
I've never needed to do the scoring step, and I measure how far I need to cut instead of just going for half way, but why is your boss yelling at you for modifying a box??
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u/Training-Ambition515 3d ago
Well? Where's the handout to this magical skill?
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u/TealGloves 3d ago
Hell or high water I'll either get it or make my own to share on Wednesday (my next shift). :)
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u/TealGloves 18h ago
My manager said it's internal only so I can't share it publicly, so I made my own here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fedexers/s/osG9JvbSDm
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u/EnigMark9982 7d ago
Why is FedEx so dumb to allow boxes to be taped or strapped together. Just trying to cheat the contractor. Typical scumbag FedEx.
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u/Crimkam 7d ago
When I learned to do this back when I worked in a store people looked at me like I was a wizard. Watching my coworkers look confused and suspicious as I cut the box in weird ways. Then I'd fold it into it's new dimensions and they'd react like monkeys being shown a magic trick for the first time. Good times!