does it take to throw about 200 newspapers in the morning? Any advice/suggestions from to someone thinking about becoming a carrier?
2006-09-18 08:13:49 · 3 answers · asked by SmilingG 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I'm not sure how long the route would be, but I would be using an automobile.
The weather here in west texas isn't too bad, even in winter.
2006-09-18 08:26:32 · update #1
The time it will take varies greatly on the kind of route you have...rural routes (for 200 papers about 3-4 hours) tend to take at least double the amount of time compared to that of a metropolitan subdivision (about 2.5-3.5 hours). I can provide some other things to think about before deciding as I have done this myself and while it served the part-time element I was looking for, I'm not sure looking back that I would do it again:
1. The wear and tear on your vehicle is HUGE! With the cost of fuel too, you have to do the math and really try to figure out if it will be worth it in the end. Plus, you will need to rotate tires (buy tires too!) and change oil more frequently. Rural roads, inclement weather, and other conditions can make it even worse.
2. Most routes are 7 days a week...it gets pretty old pretty quickly not having a single morning off you know? They would make us find substitutes if we were sick or needed a day off and that stunk!
3. During my tenure as a route carrier, I hit a deer two different times! Early morning hours are their favorite time to be frolicking, so be very careful!
4. Most carrier positions are contractual, meaning all of the responsibility and none of the benefits! No health insurance, sick days, vacation, etc.
5. Uncle Sam - If you earn more than $599 within the course of one year, they will report it to the IRS. Typically, carriers are not taxed, but Uncle Same (may) expects you to pay in April...one year, I had to pay him $2000!
Hope this helps...it would be best to ask someone who works currently for the newspaper you are considering...
:)
2006-09-18 08:25:22 · answer #1 · answered by lovemcss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a job doing this when i was in high school. i had two different routes at two different times. the first was a route that was in a suburban area, and all of the deliveries i had to make was within a five or six mile area. there were about 230 customers there. it only took about an hour and a half from start to finish. the other route i switched to after high school was in a more rural area, and covered an area outside city limits. It all had to be driven by vehicle, because it was more like sixty miles, round trip. this particular route began at 3:30 am, and i finished by six most of the time. yes it was early hours, but it was only a few hours a day, which was a good thing. the only problem with this position was that it was 365 days a year. there were no days off. in our town, papers were printed seven days a week. hope i helped somehow.....good luck.
2006-09-18 08:29:17 · answer #2 · answered by jessica i 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having done it, I think I'd rather go back to 'Nam than ever do it again.
Lots of variables here- how far from one end to the other is your route? Mine was 2.5 miles. Are you able to use a car? Or a bike? If you can use a car, then it wouldn't be too bad. The bike was a pain because on the days with really thick papers I had to make several trips.
What is your weather like? It really isn't fun trying to pedal a bike with 6 inches of snow/slush on the ground.
2006-09-18 08:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋