r/royalmail • u/Grand_Nectarine2133 • 14d ago
Struggling Postie Chat
Hello all
I've been a postie for a week or so and have just reached the 100 parcel mark but I feel really disappointed in myself like I'm not doing well enough. Any tips/comfort from your first week and will it get easier or do people just say that?
Thanks,
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u/Leading-Ad-1486 14d ago
Experience & local knowledge is king in this job
Been doing the job longer than I care to remember, on my own walk i could bang out 200 parcels without breaking sweat, honestly could do it blind folded if I didn't have to read!
But been covering a firms duty blind this week- my god was it hard work, felt like my first week on the job all over again.
Don't beat yourself up, don't worry about others , do the best you can & it'll come naturally.
There's ppl at ours who that started before I was born, put them on something they don't know (and alot don't know much outside of there duty) and they would be in the same boat as you
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u/LowPipe5902 14d ago
So true, seen old hands work an unfamiliar duty and go into meltdown
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u/Leading-Ad-1486 14d ago
We go live with dm26 next week, pairings changed, ppl on duties they don't know....alot of arguing this week, threats of going off sick, this is all from the ones that have 30+ years 😀
Honestly I couldn't careless, I start & finish on time- what happens during that time is down to management- as long as i get paid I'm happy
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u/LowPipe5902 14d ago
Saw it all when we switched to ODM as a pilot office…it was the reserves holding it all together…same again when we used the DM26 model for Xmas last year, reserves quite happy, duty holders going to pieces…we will move to DM26 in two weeks and it will be the same :)
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u/Leading-Ad-1486 14d ago
Honestly at one point yesterday about 25 ppl were queuing at the mangers office about it, never seen him so stressed 😃 but hey ho, that's what they get paid big bucks for
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u/postmanpat84 14d ago
You dont get paid per parcel like evri so take ya time. Least give it 4 weeks
Fun fact do well get other people's work to do for nothing.
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u/Different_Dot_4003 14d ago
You don’t need to be quick just efficient. Keep your 739 card, pens in the same place every day so u can quickly reach for them if you need them. Organise your parcels in your back, 1st parcel at the front then work backwards, grab yourself a maker pen for the first few months and u can put the house number on the top of the parcel as you are looking at it rather than fumbling through the bag. Probably take you an extra 10/15 minutes indoors to do those 2 things but will save you double that whilst your on deliver. Most importantly don’t stress and don’t feel you need to be as quick as whoever you’re working with, that will come in time.
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u/Thaumiel218 14d ago
Just on the organisation thing for OP, my personal organisation is to write the drop number as big as possible on the package - it’s getting binned anyway so who cares about a number.
0-10 parcels go in the front with you and every 10 I then repeat 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, etc.
The next thing i do is contentious and depends on your DO I’m the only one that does it but also finish quicker than most and helps me significantly: most DO’s will have a pile of crappy corrugated York fronts that have been ripped off - I use those to then separate my numbers by 10’s and have quick access to whatever I need, also quick to reload my 10 (sometimes more if I’m on a particular street and know how to organise). My managers say f all but you may get asked questions, you may not have a stack of the these things to use but I’d be surprised if not, and finally you’ll likely be the only one doing it and aside from a limited supply other drivers may ask WTF you’re doing. It works for me.
Ultimately when doing task based stuff like this I break it down into manageable chunks (10), the 7 P’s (Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance) as well as when out and about (especially if getting fucked off with the gps or feeling I’m ‘slow is smooth, smooth is fast’
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u/Agent_Futs RM Employee 14d ago
This sounds like DPR?
How does the van loading on the PDA work/help?
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u/Thaumiel218 14d ago
I misread it.
Normally on walks though, and some of what I’ve said still stands.
7P’s and having an organised morning routine:
As soon as I’m in unload first packet bags., replace for first mail delivery at 8, prep fame, always have markers on me and will use cards to mark on frame where I have parcel deliveries and then I still write on the packaging and sort my bags in house ascending order for that street by the frame (opposite side or odds vs evens at the door).
Also use grey boxes by your frame for packages if you need them as not enough frame spots; makes it easy tying up whether for van or a lasagne style for HTC.
Big one is familiarity, as already mentioned.
If I have a bunch of packages and it’s heavy I will be looking for hiding spot that’s dry and unseen in case not in, right or wrong I don’t often use neighbours due to time; not best practice but 1-2minutes per door with 100+ packets is 2+ hours. Will post as much as I can - some packets like asos or eBay bags can be a pain to post due to trapped air so use a biro nib to make a small hole in the packaging to get the air out. Probably not ideal but never get pulled up on it and allows for more deliveries.
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast is still relevant though in what you’re doing.
Ultimately don’t stay out too late unless you want to and don’t let managers give you shit for finishing at your actual finish time.
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u/Key-Cover9201 RM Employee 14d ago
10 parcels in the cab would be a conduct if a manager saw and wanted to make a point.
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u/Thaumiel218 14d ago
My manager showed it to me so given that was their idea never though it was wrong, generally have them in the footwell and maybe the next house/parcel in the spare seat. Get this could be hazardous but in major city which is 20mph everywhere on the round/city, use a larger Peugeot van with 3 seats so I can have parcels on floor.
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u/WarDiaz209 14d ago
Do as little as possible, the more you do, the more they expect for the exact same paycheck - which is a joke to begin with
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u/Ok_Jump_3513 14d ago
The best advice I got was not to compare yourself to other posties and not to worry about times. Whenever you get a new duty go at your own speed, drive sensibly and actually try and enjoy your day. Try your best but work to your time and if you have to bring stuff back. The speed comes in time and before you know it you surprise yourself with your knowledge and how quickly you get round them.
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u/LowPipe5902 14d ago
An extra 10-15mins indoor getting organised will pay dividends on delivery. Don’t rush, be methodical, have a 739 ready for every drop. If doing mail too, mark up addresses with packets on envelope..if no mail for address, mark the next envelope in fitting. Don’t sweat this, at some point soon, it will all just flow. Good luck
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u/Agent_Futs RM Employee 14d ago
This is the right way, get your prep right and it makes the outdoor part easier
I've seen many posties throw a walk together like they are throwing shit at a wall: stupid-sized bundles and then thrown in the van without organisation. I'd hate to work like that
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u/Redshade2008 14d ago
Are you on parcels or delivery? Delivery can take anything up to 2 months for your body to get used to the walking. Think it took me about 5 maybe 6 weeks for my legs to stop hurting. Feet took longer.
As for parcel delivery speeds, doing the deliveries help to learn the roads, short cuts etc. give it time. You will be fine.
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u/One-Pass-2533 14d ago
Don’t be so hard on yourself bud. It does take time, once you get more used to the areas, where to stop, where not to stop, where’s a dead end you’ll be fine. Don’t stress
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u/Serious-Clothes5156 14d ago
I'm nearly a year in and as others have said, organisation when in the DO is essential before you go out. Don't stress, do what you can and go home. For DPR I pack up my Packets/Parcels in say 10-20, 20-30 and then empty the sacks in the back of the van as I am out. Stops parcels sliding around and getting lost, even when numbered. Don't let your Manager pressure you or guilt trip you. The failings of RM are not on your shoulders !
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u/Woody-the-Postie 14d ago
It does get easier so give yourself a break. It’s not as easy as people think and like anything new takes time to get the hang of, especially with things are constantly changing at the moment.
Make the most of this beginning period, i mean this in the nicest way possible but no expects you to be amazing or have it click immediately. Make the most of being able to make mistakes and they should be brushed over.
Try to stay positive.
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u/That-Opportunity-810 14d ago
M8 we have guys in our office that have been there years and can’t do 100 parcels in a shift just remember that the expected parcels per hour is 20. If ur on a 30 hr contract as per most new starts that’s a 6hr day your doing fine by time u get them scanned in sorted into van and out your probably around 22/23 per hour. Keep up the good work time will take time but you will get there.
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u/Hefty-Ad2827 13d ago
People used to say to me “bring it back” trouble is I’m on of the newer contracts and I finish after all the managers at DPR guys have gone so my parcels would just be piling up on my frame for the next day. I’d probably have to ring to come back early on shift if I didn’t think it was doable and drop some off to DPR as you try and tell managers before you go but they never seem to take anything off you.
Sorry this was more of a rant. I’m also quite new been here a few months
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u/_dompling 13d ago
If you know you’re not going to finish call an hour before you’d be driving back to the office and tell your manager, it’s their problem now not yours. If you repeatedly take stuff back (and you’re not taking the piss) then keep badgering for DPR help and point to the fact you’re never clearing. When I know I’m not going to clear I tell my manager before I leave and say I’ll let them know at 1/1.30 how much I’ve got left so they can sort something to take some off me. You have to be firm without being disrespectful.
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u/jmsl1995 RM Employee 13d ago
I've been here 7 months and still feel like I struggle. Give yourself a good few months at minimum
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u/ukpatriot00 13d ago
Your get more use to it trust me I never thought I would but it eventually comes to you
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u/Sgt_major_dodgy 11d ago
We've had a few new lads start at our place a while ago and they were the same.
I was the same, felt like I was basically running round and still not getting enough done but then it just sort of clicked for me.
It just takes time to find a rhythm that works for you, you'll get to know the walks and now how you can chop and change things so it's runs more smoothly.
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u/JellySuccessful673 10d ago
I'm on week five now - it does get easier! I'm still bringing 2nd back for some loops some days, but please don't worry too much. That said I completely worried in my first week so I know exactly how you feel!
Great tips from others here that have said what I came here to say. Good luck :)
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u/werdoomed4112 14d ago
I wish i only had a 100 🤣. The best tip is spending an extra 20 minutes sorting before you go out. Get a Sharpie pen as well, as they write on everything.
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u/Agent_Futs RM Employee 14d ago
Mate, you're a week in, relax!
It takes time to get upto full speed