Trailblazer courier and the driveway challenge
It’s a steep one. One car on the left, two cars at the top. There’s a narrow spot next to the car on the left. Just enough room for the ride. It’s an extremely steep driveway. That narrow spot is only half the problem. Getting out of the ride is the other half. There’s no way to easily get into the backseat. Will the brake actually hold the vehicle on a hill that steep? Of course, there’s the little problem of controlling the vehicle, when backing down the hill. Decisions decisions.
Meanwhile the hot fresh food is cooler by almost thirty degrees. It happened during the internal debate. Additionally, the at home customer saw the courier’s arrival almost three minutes ago. Everything is on hold. However, it’s definitely a steep driveway. If this sounds familiar, it’s probably because it happens often. There’s always that one driveway. The one that looks like a narrow logging road straight up a mountain. Furthermore, it’s not full of potholes. It’s full of craters.
The three minute debate, while at the entrance of the logging road, is already into the next delivery window. In fact, if the courier parked right there, and hit the flashers, it would be a delivery completion by now. Walking up the hill is cardio. Natural cardio. Out in the wild, up a logging road, cardio. It’s also the quickest way to cut to the chase. The drive way challenge is real and it’s not always a happy ending. Sometimes it becomes a trailblazing event.
Trailblazer Courier
The trailblazer courier makes trails in different ways. Sometimes it’s a wheel through the outer edge of a flower garden. Or maybe it’s a yard toy, squished by one of the wheels. In extreme cases it’s the out of control vehicle in descent mode. Usually when that happens, it’s in reverse. Somehow it’s always in reverse. However, there’s always an alternative. Park on the road. Not in the middle of the road, but along the side. Activate the flashers, and check for traffic. Even alternatives need safety precautions.
Once the way is clear, cardio can begin. Although that is a fun way to describe the walk to the front door, it is an effective way to minimize delays. Taking the time to examine a steep narrow driveway creates a challenge for the courier. After all the progress, everything slows to a crawl at the drop-off location. The few moments of active analysis and the decision to go for it at the last minute, add more time to the delivery. Then the courier becomes a trailblazer. Not only blazing a trail up that mountain, but also making a few more trails at the top.
Stay off the grass. It might be okay to smoke some grass, but otherwise, stay off the grass. This is an unspoken mark of professionalism. The trailblazer courier may encounter all sorts of obstacles on a mountainous driveway. Likewise, on the way back down. However, the way back down is usually in reverse, if there’s no room at the top to turn around. Assuming the grass is an appropriate place to do the wheel work is not a mark of professionalism.
The Driveway Challenge
It’s the collateral damage that makes a driveway challenge something to avoid, if possible. Although a homeowner may appreciate the driving skill of the courier, it isn’t necessary to use that skill. Especially if parking at the road is an option. On the road, the parking happens as soon as the courier arrives. Flashers on and check for traffic. Then the courier is out the door, and on the way. This is when remembering the grass, is important. It’s easy to overlook. However, there are telltale signs.
For example, the mowing pattern. If a homeowner goes to the trouble to create a mowing pattern in their yard, chances are the grass, and the yard, are prized possessions. Furthermore, it’s just as easy to tread on, or up, the driveway. Or the sidewalk. In some cases, being a trailblazer through someone’s lawn is similar to tracking mud into the house. It’s considered impolite. Furthermore, the courier is working for tips and possibly a good rating or two. Therefore, one of the best ways to void a tip, or get a less than stellar rating, is to upset the at home customer.
With this in mind, the driveway challenge is about using the driveway in particular situations. Some homeowners spend years getting used to their own dangerous driveway. How much experience can a courier gain on that same driveway, in less than three minutes? Furthermore, for every unknown the courier faces on a steep climb upward, there will be more on the way back down. Therefore, using a driveway should be a low risk maneuver. Easy in, easy out.
Trailblazer Trough Tall Grass
Keeping off the grass isn’t a new thing. In fact, a golf course can be very particular about grass. Similarly, when a courier makes a trail through grass there is a trailblazer effect. As mentioned earlier, this can appear to be an unprofessional move by the courier. This is one of the best reasons to use the driveway for the walk to the front door. Or the sidewalk from the driveway. Either way, staying off the grass (when possible) is a professional way to make the delivery completion.
Flower beds and flower gardens have borders. This is a sign that walking through them isn’t standard practice. They are set aside for a reason. Furthermore, driving through them is also not standard practice. While it’s true the courier will be long gone before anyone finds the smushed Tulips, or the squished Hydrangea, it’s not worth the ding in the ratings. Or the potential loss of an additional tip.
This also means turning around in the yard is questionable. In some cases the at home customer may give express permission to do so. However, just assuming it’s okay, is one of the best ways to get stuck. Not only in the yard, but also in the ratings. The best deliveries go from point A to point B as quickly, and safely, as possible. And leave the logging roads, to the loggers. Stay safe out there.
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