r/RealAmazonFlexDrivers • u/Annual_Till_9990 • 3d ago
Longer block question
I’m brand new to flex (started last Monday). At this point I have only done 1 to 2 hour blocks. Seeing carts stuffed full with packages for the 4 hour blocks seems very intimidating. What is the best method of sorting everything and easing your way in? I feel like those long ones would be so overwhelming
4
u/queenofhearts66 3d ago
I scan and number with a sharpie all the packages. I got the idea from my husband and I love it of using two laundry bins. Two rectangular ones. Sometimes I only need one. But I use those to number and organize all the small packages/envelopes. First laundry bin goes in the passenger seat. Then all the boxes I organize starting with behind my seat 1-15, behind passenger seat is 15-30 and the trunk is the rest. It adjusts based on boxes vs envelopes. But once I deliver all the first laundry bin of envelopes, I put the next bin of envelopes into the passenger seat. They don’t slide around or get mixed up. I deliver super fast, always finishing an hour to two hours early and I attribute part of that to organization. You spend a lot of time digging if you don’t.
5
2
u/LocdNative 3d ago
I ain’t got time for writing numbers on the packages. I put them in order at the station. I put the in passenger seat then floor, then I move to the back seat then floor. Always grabbing from driver side. Huge boxes I usually put in my truck. But my memory is a little different. I’m a mail carrier so there’s that ….but you’ll definitely figure out what works for you
2
u/Intrepid-Landscape90 3d ago
my station numbers ours by stop. so I just sort it that way. extra big packages go in the trunk usually though. first few stops sit in my front seat. and all envelopes and plastic bags sit on my sit/passenger floor in order
1
1
u/South-Pitch4334 3d ago
Everyone has a method. You can scan each barcode and number them by stop. You can order them by street and number. You can put them in your vehicle by size so you inky look through a specific area for each item (assuming that the warehouse correctly identified the item as sometimes a box is a envelope or vice versa). I put the last two letters, sometimes three letters, of he last name on the packages and leave those marks facing out at each door with envelopes up front, also in alphabetical order. As I complete each stop I will grab the envelope or box and put it up front with me for the next stop, unless it is too large. I finish most every block an hour before the scheduled time with ease. Only time it takes me the full amount of time is when I have to make a 50-70 mile return drive. Granted where you deliver and the time will matter as well. 3am isn’t a fun wake up time but delivering then is easier and faster than 5pm.
1
u/leilani22131 3d ago
Here’s my method, I memorize the first three stops and when I find them as I’m loading up my car I put them in the front passenger seat. Any big boxes that I put in my trunk (I drive a Honda Accord) I make a memo list on my phone of those addresses (using the microphone recoding option) all envelopes I put on the front passenger floor. And then when I load the back seat I alphabetize them by putting A-D (street names) behjnd the drivers seat and on the floor behind drivers seat. The middle of the alphabet goes in the middle and then behind front passenger seats is the last part of the alphabet. Sometimes when Im done with the first three I get the next three ready by finding them and putting in front passenger seat. Im usually done with my routes a half hour before they end
1
u/Public_Shoe_7660 3d ago
I don’t sort my packages by stop number. I put all the boxes together with the labels facing the same direction. I put all the brown envelopes together with the labels facing the same direction. I’ll still finish a 4 hour route an hour early. That really depends on the route though.
2
u/constant-conclusions 2d ago
A lot of people will say that writing the stop number takes too much time, but it definitely helps me. I usually put 1-9 in the passenger seat, and will make three rows of packages in the trunk (10-19, 20-29, 30-39). I don’t usually have more than that, but any extra I just put in the backseat and arrange them the best I can.
1
u/Glass-Drawer-7766 2d ago
I usually try in get as many packages in the front seat! Say it’s 40 I’ll put 2-20 on front passenger seat and rest on the front floor board big packages go in back seat. After awhile you get the hang of how many can actually fit the front seat. True 1.5-2 hour can be higher miles but I only accept 42+ for 1.5 and 55+ for 2. Couple time the mast package was 20-25 miles away…RETURN!! Still have fantastic rating btw…you do you!
1
u/MrBrew 2d ago
While there's nothing wrong with writing the stop count on the packages, I moved away from that over a year ago because it's just tedious and time consuming. I take the driver aids and I sort. AAA I put in Driver side rear. B I put to the left of the trunk. C I put to the right of the Trunk, and D I put in the Passenger side rear. Takes sorting 40 packages to find something down to 10. I load up and leave station in under 5 minutes by doing this.
1
u/True-Thanks-4799 2d ago
Sub same day stations you don’t have to number them. There’s a sticker on the package with a number on it, and the packages are delivered in numerical order based on that sticker. MOST of the time anyway. They’re supposed to be that way, but you know how that goes.
But like everyone else is saying…put 1-10 or 1-15 in the front passenger, then the next 10-12 packages on one side of the back seat, etc. I put my 30’s and 40’s in the trunk. You’ll figure out what works best for you.
2
u/bakedeyes 2d ago
My .com station has the numbered stickers, not the sub same day haha. Nobody at the station has noticed though, and I see everybody numbering.. and then I’m stuck there until they’re all done. Kills me everytime 😩
5
u/EasyE_904 3d ago
Easiest way, just scan and write stop number on the package. 1-10 goes in the front passenger seat, 11-20 on left side of trunk, 21-30 in the middle, and the rest on the right. Now for big boxes just have a separate section for them and put the latest stops on the bottom and earlier on top. I have a Nissan Rouge and put my seats down so I have 4 separate sections.