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Hello and fitness question.

Forum for info, hints and tips about working for us through Royal Mail not Angard.This is an open forum.
proplum201
Posts: 2
Joined: 05 Aug 2012, 20:21
Gender: Male

Hello and fitness question.

Post by proplum201 »

Hi people.
To cut a long story short, I have an interview this week for post delivery job.
I am under no illusion that its a physical job but I am wondering just how pyscial it is.
I am no spring chicken (41) and just need a job for a few months while in the UK tieing up some loose ends.
I regard myself as quite fit, walking about 4 miles every day and cycle about 15-20 miles every other day. However this evening I went for a trial walk with a 13kg load in a shoulder bag. I managed 1 mile in about 20 minutes and now sitting here with a sore knee and typing with a dead arm.

The advert for the job saying 6-8 miles with up to 16kg, I have my doubts that i'd every be able to do that.
How on earth do you guys and girls manage it?
Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

PP
TrueBlueTerrier
FORUM ADMINISTRATOR
Posts: 72618
Joined: 30 Dec 2006, 10:29
Gender: Male
Location: On my couch

Re: Hello and fitness question.

Post by TrueBlueTerrier »

Well the good news is that you do get used to it. I started when I was 39 and yes it s a struggle when you first start but you and your body gets used to it.

Also the bag does not stay at 16kg in fact it usually takes between 40 and 60 minutes to deliver a 16kg so it gets lighter as you go.

Another factor is that you used a shoulder bag so the weight would have been quite high and would therefore have an effect on your centre of gravity. The bag Royal Mail use if a bandolier style bag that goes from shoulder to hip and the weight tends to be centred on your lower back, the weight is also more towards your centre of gravity. "Typing with a dead arm", sounds like you had the bag too tight which tends to deaden the arm/shoulder.

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fishtank
Posts: 19732
Joined: 28 Sep 2007, 17:22
Gender: Male

Re: Hello and fitness question.

Post by fishtank »

You'll be fine.
You should see the shape(s) of some of our guys. :nervous
You may even get a shiny new trolley. :neutral:
good times, bad times you know I've had my share
jane40
Posts: 2
Joined: 07 Feb 2012, 16:46
Gender: Female

Re: Hello and fitness question.

Post by jane40 »

fishtank wrote:You'll be fine.
You should see the shape(s) of some of our guys. :nervous
You may even get a shiny new trolley. :neutral:
hello i m 48 and do over 5 miles 6 days a week i carry a bag and use a golf trolly and love being a postie you will struggle with a bad knee though as i ve had problems but now lost 4 half stone and i m loving the walk :dance
proplum201
Posts: 2
Joined: 05 Aug 2012, 20:21
Gender: Male

Re: Hello and fitness question.

Post by proplum201 »

Thanks for all the replies.
I had my interview Tuesday and seemed to go ok
However, I checked my status on the online application this evening and it says application withdrawn.
I am sure I didn't do that, so does that mean I wasn't accepted?
Thanks again
Mark_Law22
Posts: 68
Joined: 20 Jan 2011, 18:43
Gender: Male

Re: Hello and fitness question.

Post by Mark_Law22 »

proplum201 wrote:Hi people.
To cut a long story short, I have an interview this week for post delivery job.
I am under no illusion that its a physical job but I am wondering just how pyscial it is.
I am no spring chicken (41) and just need a job for a few months while in the UK tieing up some loose ends.
I regard myself as quite fit, walking about 4 miles every day and cycle about 15-20 miles every other day. However this evening I went for a trial walk with a 13kg load in a shoulder bag. I managed 1 mile in about 20 minutes and now sitting here with a sore knee and typing with a dead arm.

The advert for the job saying 6-8 miles with up to 16kg, I have my doubts that i'd every be able to do that.
How on earth do you guys and girls manage it?
Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

PP
Hi,
you should be fine. You've got to remember that the post bag will be getting lighter as your posting and getting rid of parcels, so it won't be 13kg for long. Plus you'll get to rest in between loops as you drive to the next street etc.
Don't get me wrong, you will still be knackered at the end of the day lol but it's not too bad.

Hope this helps :)
Lounge Lizard
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 9458
Joined: 06 Aug 2007, 21:54

Re: Hello and fitness question.

Post by Lounge Lizard »

proplum201 wrote:Thanks for all the replies.
I had my interview Tuesday and seemed to go ok
However, I checked my status on the online application this evening and it says application withdrawn.
I am sure I didn't do that, so does that mean I wasn't accepted?
Thanks again
Best contact them to check what's happening. :shock:
I was the wrong side of 50 when I started and am surviving. :shock:
dolphlundgren73
Posts: 39
Joined: 10 Sep 2009, 11:46
Gender: Male

Hello and fitness question.

Post by dolphlundgren73 »

16 kg is too big abag to put on shoulder. Royal mail have Light weight trolley. Anthing above 11 kg should definitely use atrolly fof.
Regards
Gary