The fifty fifty delivery challenge, trial by fire
Sometimes things happen. There’s a shorter way of saying that, but the gist is there. When things happen unexpectedly, it changes other things. Cause and effect, so to speak. Most every experienced courier has seen some bizarre things at least once. Likewise, almost every experienced courier has found themselves in a bizarre situation, at least once. It’s the nature of the work. Furthermore, no one is too concerned with the courier’s opinion, or disposition. That’s not why the courier is at the front door.
With this in mind, it’s that front door that holds the key. Not literally, although they do, but figuratively. The front door is the last hurdle before delivery completion. And reaching it takes a well thought out plan. Or some serious good luck. But, more often than not, the well thought out plan wins the day. It’s more than a fifty fifty chance. However, there are things like unforeseen circumstances. And unforeseen circumstances include almost anything.
Anything, includes things like weather related events. Or pickup merchants with staffing problems. Additionally, there is traffic to contend with. As well as detours and closed roads. Some, or all of these things, can be encountered on the way to that front door. Or the side door under the carport. It’s a regular gauntlet run. And we haven’t even included those unpredictable, and perilous, driveways of doom. Yet.
The Fifty Fifty Delivery Challenge
Of course it’s another article about those dangerous driveways. Experienced couriers know about them. Mischievous home owners know about them, and so do the local armadillos. They are seldom mentioned in a delivery offer, because most couriers don’t carry mountain climbing gear in the trunk. However, that might have to change in the near future.
In fact, it isn’t always the steep grade that brings the danger. It is sometimes the badly disintegrated asphalt that’s just barely covering that steep grade. For example, the driveway broke apart through the years. And now it is one giant pot hole from hell. However, the homeowner has lived there for years, and knows the best little path through the rocky divide. Which means the courier, thirty minutes before midnight and a one shot only chance, is about to get a bad case of the nerves.
This is common for faraway delivery. Most faraway deliveries are in remote locations. This often means remote driving conditions. However, some cities are built on hills. Which means lots of driveways on hills. And when those driveways are on hills they can be dangerous for a first time user. Furthermore, it takes more than a little driving skill and experience to navigate up them. Not to mention back down them.
Trial By Fire
Many times it is a case of backing down them. Furthermore, the physics of that process complicates the safety approach. Yet it becomes all too clear when the courier finds themselves stuck. Literally. Or, worse, in an out of control backwards slide into whatever is down there at the end of the driveway. This is where a fifty fifty rule, could prevent an unpredictable trial by fire.
It’s a simple rule and keeps the courier on the safer side of things. Additionally, it’s not uncommon to see those brown box trucks following this same guide. And here it is:
If there’s more than a fifty fifty chance of getting stuck, or out of control, in a driveway, park at the road and use the emergency flashers. Then take the walk. It requires more footwork, but it keeps the vehicle safe. And the courier is safer too. Most Big Foot sightings aren’t on hilly driveways. Nor are they back at the road with that brown box truck. But who knows what’s really in that box truck anyway? It could be anything. One thing is certain, the courier’s equipment is safer when not in unknown conditions.
The fifty fifty rule is a gauge to help in those questionable circumstances. It works best when paired with intuition. Or, that gut feeling. Furthermore, it’s there for a reason. Although it might be difficult to heed that little and persistent, inner voice, it won’t be the further up the driveway mountain the courier climbs. Remember to take a moment and consider the fifty fifty rule before the climb. And stay safe out there.
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