The unspoken rules of the professional drop-off
They are there, but hidden. They are also important, but seldom used. Therefore they require a refresher from time to time. This is like the old sayings. They are wise and profound, but easy to forget. Especially with all the modern day tech competing for the attention. A refresher course on most anything should be helpful. Even if it’s riding a bike. If it’s not something done on a regular basis, then it must be a refresher course.
With this in mind, it might help to know the driving force behind this article. It might be easier to consider what the article is not about, first. It is not about app rules nor is it anything to do with ratings. This is an article that leans more toward personal safety. There are unspoken rules when it comes to personal safety and completing deliveries. Furthermore, these rules developed over time. Mostly through trial and error.
Also known as, the ‘hard way’. Additionally, it’s important to remember the delivery driving evolution. It isn’t like the old days when wall maps were the norm. The only norm. Otherwise, the map was in the glove compartment. And it folded up easily and the same way every time. There were definitely phones in those days. It might have been a long time ago, but it wasn’t the dark ages. The phones were on some street corners, but not all of them. Occasionally there would be a booth with a phone in it.
The Unspoken Rules
There were also unspoken rules in delivery driving. Back then. Additionally, a merchant running a delivery crew had safety measures in place. At the very least, there was usually some form of safety training. Especially considering the closest phone was not in the pocket. Or the hand. One of the most common unspoken rules for the delivery driver, was never to enter the drop off location.
There are unspoken rules in many places. Especially where safety is concerned. For example, it is not commonly accepted to fire up the grill and grill hamburgers and hotdogs, while at the mall. It’s an unspoken rule that malls are not used in this way. Similarly, bowling alleys are not used for racing go-karts. It’s an unspoken rule that the go-kart stays outside. The same way with the courier. It is an unspoken rule that the courier stays outside.
Speaking of staying on the outside, couriers do not open packages. The courier is always on the outside of the delivery cargo. The courier might carry the package or lift the package. Additionally the courier might pack the package in a heat bag to keep the contents as thermally fresh as possible. Whatever those contents may be. They could be anything. However, the courier has no idea what, because couriers do not open packages.
The Professional Drop-off
Not all unspoken rules are about the cargo. Although, the handling of cargo, is a major part of a delivery. But that isn’t the only area where an unspoken rule equals professionalism. In fact, a lot can happen in a driveway. One of the things a courier tries to avoid is puddling all over a pristine driveway.
That’s puddling on the driveway, and it means what it says. If a courier knows the ride has major fluid leaks the rule is to park on the road when possible. This is almost a normal procedure in most neighborhoods. Especially where the driveway might be more trouble to navigate than it’s worth. Sometimes parking at the curb is the more efficient route. It is also a customer friendly route.
Similarly, not parking on top of flower beds, or home gardens, is another unspoken rule. This is easy to do with driveways on hills, that have no visible parking at the top. Sometimes it’s better to go for the cardio and walk up the driveway. Which brings us to the final unspoken rule for this article. I thought there would be room to get them all in this article, but it will take another.
More Unspoken Rules
This one is about the fur babies. Occasionally the courier will encounter the fur babies at the windows and doors. In these encounters the fur babies will likely be doing their jobs. Even though they want the courier to think that they will eat the courier, if they get loose, that is just their job. It is an unspoken rule that the courier will not wag their tail, or otherwise tease the valiant protectors of the front door and doorbell.
On a more serious note, there are special instructions on many deliveries that have fur babies, or pet members of the family. Many of these instructions are simple, do not ring the doorbell or knock, instructions. They are there to minimize the stress on the family pet. It is an unspoken rule to observe these special instructions. They go a long way toward a quality delivery. Stay safe out there.
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