The off the grid delivery is a new challenge every time.
Anything off the grid might be hard to find. Whether it be because of the seclusion of the location, or its unique build. Maybe it’s back in the woods. There is also the newly constructed house or subdivision. These do not show up on GPS maps right away. Many couriers know about this special circumstance. In fact, most of the time, the pin location on the map, is the first clue. There are other subtle clues. However, a very common one, is the funky pin location.
It’s easy to become accustomed to a map. Especially when used regularly. It’s one of the courier’s most frequently used tools. In fact, couriers and delivery personnel of all types, rely heavily on maps. Especially maps that specialize in navigation. Delivery apps have slightly different navigation styles but the basic details remain the same. For example, the pin, or the marker. Whatever name it has in the app, its function is to pinpoint the exact location. Or, that is the hope.
Sometimes, despite the best hopes, it doesn’t work out the way it should. Maybe the pin on the GPS map, hovers in the middle of nowhere. Maybe its location is in the middle of the road. These aren’t just GPS glitches. They are also clues. Not clues that reveal evidence precisely, but clues that signal something isn’t normal. Especially with the off the grid delivery pin.
The Off the Grid Delivery Pin
At the pickup location, and many times while waiting, the courier checks the map. Sometimes it’s for selecting the best route. Other times it helps to study an unknown area ahead of time. Knowing where the drop-off will be, shaves valuable minutes off searching along the way. Furthermore, there is less distraction while behind the wheel and driving.
With this in mind, the courier may discover the delivery pin hovers in a great field of nothingness. This is not uncommon. It’s just an off the grid delivery location. This may not be an off the grid delivery, in the strictest sense. After all, the pin is off the mark, but it is still close enough to work with. However, the pin indicates the physical location of the drop-off is not on the beaten path. Furthermore, in the middle of the night, this can be disorienting at the least. And downright difficult in some cases, depending on the condition of the location.
For example, at the top of a ridge. These types of locations usually have very long and winding driveways on a steep incline. What makes them tricky, and dangerous, is that the courier can’t see what’s at the end of the driveway in most cases. Additionally, there is no way to gauge if there will be room to maneuver at the top. Always contact the delivery customer before committing to an unknown drive, into the unknown.
A New Challenge Every Time
This also holds true for one lane gravel roads that lead off into the woods. Let’s say the pin is way out there somewhere, and there are no major roads adjacent to the general area. It can be tempting to rely solely on the pin. However, that pin might be right, but the path is all wrong. Finding out the hard way is one way to do it. And sometimes, it does work out okay. For example, the pin is at the end of the long gravel road. Furthermore, there are no surprises.
Surprises like washed out roads, or sudden drop offs down the side of a ridge. Those are especially hard to spot in the late night hours. Therefore, unless the courier can see obvious signs that the path does lead to the pin, best not to blindly follow the pin off the grid. Call or text the drop-off location. It saves time and keeps the courier from needlessly risking resources. Remember, unusual pin locations are clues. For instance, the pin in the middle of the road.
This one most often indicates the physical address is off the road. A classic example is a shared driveway. This likely means the two lots, or addresses, are one behind the other. For example 106 Long St. and 107 Long St. The courier is looking for 107 Long St. and it is located directly behind 106 Long St. The driveway connects both houses to the road. However, the GPS pin for 107 Long St. is in the middle of the road. Now we know one reason why. Always contact the drop-off location if something seems off.
Off the Grid On the Grid
That’s the thing about an off the grid delivery. It’s not really off the grid. It’s there, but it’s tangled up in glitch. The challenge is finding the glitch before it becomes a snafu. Which is one reason why the delivery pin in the middle of the road isn’t a snafu. The map has put the pin in the closest, best location, for the address. In other words, the courier knows the general area of the delivery. Finding the precise location isn’t that hard from there.
In fact, doing it while at the pickup location is a best practice. Knowing where something is ahead of time, saves time, every time. And in many situations the delivery customer initiates communication on the off the grid issue. If it is a GPS issue, chances are, a previous delivery experience went bad because of the GPS glitch. Therefore, in an effort to avoid additional headaches, the delivery customer will put the information in the special instructions. So remember to check those delivery notes as well. And stay safe out there.
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