Are we going to survive Xmas?

[Limey]

Hey there... As a postman for 5 years. I wonder how we're going to survive the winter when we're now more outdoor for LONGER. My walk is average 4hours 30 mins walk(take 15 mins more or less), and am exposed to all the weathers.

I am concern that i'll get bloody frozen to ass! My areas is full of houses. The only shelter i can find is stand at someone's house door, standing there like a stalker to tryto stay out weather. I do wear RM thick coat etc and normally do bring a spares DRY gloves with me. Not sure what i can do to improve my health, I think this year, Xmas will f**k me up. It's quite hard to walk fast on a snowy/icey, Then i will finish the walk more later and it will be already dark outside like at 4-5pm! =( When we have the so called break during our walk. How can eat our "lunch" outside?! I don't want start to begging my customers every day to let me inside their house for lovely warmth! lol :)

I don't want to lose my fingers!!!

Bring back the early start pretty pls!, I took this job cos of the cool early start, more social life + happy customers!
p.s think i'll have to start taking my dog out for a walk with me to work on my round! sighs....

[POSTMAN]

Welcome,also why did you agree a break half way through your delivery,and are you on park n loop?

[Limey]

Thanks for welcome! ;P I never knew this forum exist until i was not happy with the big change :)

No.. I don't do a break halfway through,It was just an example of IF. I like to work non stop asap, so i can go home early, so i can finish work early, but that was never a case for me sometime anyway =/

No i am not on park and loop.

I get bags dropped into grey boxes, put by my driver, he's park and loop.

8 large bags, some are quite heavy, which is normal to me anyway, since i am used to it. I am not complaining about the weight. just complaining about fininshing so late.

2 heavy large bags have to fit into 1 box. Sometime have to leave it at someone's garden, cos there's no bloody more room inside grey box.

Oh for my lunch every day, i would like a steak with mashed potatoe at 1pm! How wonderful would that be! :)

Now since the big chance, i normally have 3 mars bars and 1 energy drink to last me all day, and a wee break at portable loo.

[DGP1]

The length of your delivery isin't too bad, as long and you have somewhere to sit down and relax for 20/30/40 minutes then you'll be ok, good gloves, 2 pairs of socks and many layers on top (t-shirt+shirt+fleece+stormcoat will make you nice and toastie............plus I still have my bodywarmer to add to that mix if needed). I split my breaks into 20/20 but both when I'm out, sitting in the van with the heating on for 20 minutes will heat you up and if necessary dry your gloves and hat too

[DGP1]

Just read your post and all I can say is.............why are you for so long when you don't have a van??

[Limey]

Yeah, i admit i half run my walk though. I don't have a van with me!

Yeah, possible have to put MORE clothes, more trouser, meaning my pace of walking is slower? =/ uurgh.

[Limey]

for long, what? i don';t understand.

[DGP1]

for long, what? i don';t understand.

For foot/bike/HCT deliveries the maximum duty length is 3 1/2 hours pre revision, you shouldn't be out for longer.

Plus, job and finish is gone so you shouldn't be running around but be working at a steady consistant rate and taking your break during the day........never all at the end.

[Limey]

We had revision. Should be 45 mins extra to 3 1/2 hours walk.

[DGP1]

We had revision. Should be 45 mins extra to 3 1/2 hours walk.

If you've had your revision then you should NOT be carrying bags, either P&L or HCTs.
Stop making things easy for RM and follow their agreements.

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

Take a flask of hot tea/coffee/soup with you, to keep you warm while you use your PAID meal relief. Are there any blocks of flats on your walk that you could use to shelter from the cold? If not, perhaps a friendly customer you could ask if you could shelter in their porch? A cafe where you buy a hot drink and a snack?

[Lounge Lizard]

"My walk is average 4hours 30 mins walk(take 15 mins more or less), and am exposed to all the weathers." - that's not bad. My rural duty is 4 hours on the very quietest of Tuesdays, at least 5 hours on a normal day, 6 hours with Christmas Pressure and 7 hours further slowed by snow and ice, all those times without stopping for a break.

[ldsposti]

Will we survive Xmas ? Well in our office we know its a big no we have vans coming back now with undilevered packets it will be ok for those who want ot but we have far more who just want to work thier hours and the trend of staff working thier day out has dropped there is only about three who will, with p&l staff are just so knackered that they dont want ot, I think we all know that rm want a bad winter so that they can put the failures down to the weather and not p&l, What do you guys think ?

[fishtank]

We had revision. Should be 45 mins extra to 3 1/2 hours walk.

Should be proper Park&loop working from the van.
Should be using the proper delivery methods.
Should be taking a break before leaving the office.
Shouldn't be running around like an idiot.
Are we going to survive Christmas?...i will.

..and LL...you can't compare a rural to a walking delivery.
Been there,done both...completely different levels of fatigue...and why don't you stop for a break?

[Lounge Lizard]

We had revision. Should be 45 mins extra to 3 1/2 hours walk.

Should be proper Park&loop working from the van.
Should be using the proper delivery methods.
Should be taking a break before leaving the office.
Shouldn't be running around like an idiot.
Are we going to survive Christmas?...i will.

..and LL...you can't compare a rural to a walking delivery.
Been there,done both...completely different levels of fatigue...and why don't you stop for a break?

Yes, I've done both too, less fatigue getting off and on a bike than in and out of a clapped out van.
Why don't I stop for a break? Because I've usually had something of a break before I've left the office and can have a rest when I've finished.
- and I do take a break when the van's broke down.