The challenge of wear and tear in full time delivery
It happens to every courier at one time or another. It’s nothing to feel bad about. In fact, sometimes it’s useful for taking a step back, and relaxing. It is guaranteed to happen, it’s part of the job. Furthermore, it can happen more often, the more the courier is on the job. Although it may sound like a catch 22 being discussed here, it’s anything but. It is actually about cause and effect. Or, as it relates to the delivery game, wear and tear.
The concept of wear and tear is not only about the courier. Or the unfortunate delivery items that hit the floor in the last emergency brake event. That one is tumble and splat. It is similar to wear and tear, but more final. The wear and tear referenced in this article is all in the ride. That trusty steed. Not only one of the courier’s most important tools, but also the courier’s traveling fortress.
Additionally some rides double as transports to school, or to soccer practice. They are also fundamental in the daily quest for supplies. For example, food from the grocery store. Or trips to medical appointments. With this in mind, the ride gets a lot of use as it is. Now add in a lengthy delivery shift, and the wear and tear on the ride, increases exponentially. While this may seem like a standard expectation, it becomes quite an eye opener under closer examination.
The Challenge of Wear and Tear
The typical car owner starts their car only so many times in a day. There may even be days when the car isn’t started at all. This is a typical use scenario that is easy to overlook. Let’s give it some numbers and see how things look then. For example, the average car is used for going to work or school, then running a few errands. And lastly maybe a joy ride, then back home again. In the course of the day the vehicle was started maybe six times.
The courier starts their vehicle five, maybe six times, in two deliveries. Multiply that by twenty deliveries and that’s a lot of starts on that starter. In just one delivery shift. Then there is the courier’s personal needs for the same vehicle. When looked at from this perspective the real effects of wear and tear become obvious. In other words couriers will replace more starters on their personal vehicles, if they use them for delivery.
This is also true for things like oil changes. And brake pads, as well as air filters. Couriers run through the miles fast. Furthermore it’s easy to miss those routine maintenance reminders. However, the wear and tear a courier puts on the ride is cumulative. And whenever possible, being aware of the components that will need attention, is a courier best practice.
Full Time Delivery
A newer vehicle is especially easy to overlook when it comes to preventative maintenance. Since the vehicle is new, things should last a long time. And this is true under normal use. However, running deliveries is beyond normal use. Especially full time delivery. This applies to the crew courier as well as the solo courier using a delivery app.
Things like tires should have visual inspections every time the ride will be used for deliveries. It is a courier best practice. And it can save a headache later on. Another courier best practice is a routine inspection of things like windshield wiper blades. Particularly when the season changes. These are all things that get a lot of wear and tear, when being used during delivery completions. Next up will be ways to cut down on the wear and tear of running deliveries. Until then, stay safe out there.
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