I need some advice to do walks quicker?

kwf166 · Post by **kwf166** » 18 Sep 2008, 22:57

Hi Guys, I been a postman for nearly a year now, and as you can imagined, I am still new to the job, or should I say still learning, I am on a different walk every week, take me about 2 days to get used to frame and walk, but how do you do the walk quicker?

Yesterday, it was really heavy, loads of packets, I didn't get there till around 11am, got back to the office after 4pm, so that about 5 hours, should I have done that quicker or am i been too hard on myself,apparently the average walk suppose to take 3 and half hours? so my one took an extra 1 and half,this probably true as I notice the guys that been there for years seems to get back quicker

apparently this frame for the walk, is a bit messed up, so I did it my way, but this seems to have made it longer, tomorrow, I have a plan, I just hope it work, but it all depends on how heavy it is.

Need your tips, how do you do the walks, that your not used to? or even your own walks?

PS! I should also add I am part time and don't start till 8am

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 18 Sep 2008, 23:25

Cut off, Supermans busy

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 19 Sep 2008, 00:02

Rule 1 if you go over your contracted hours claim overtime by submitting a docket.
Rule 2 understand that it doesn't matter whether you have 1 letter or 10 letters for a house you still have to go to that house.
Rule 3 you are only scheduled to work your contracted hours no more no less.
Rule 4 if you ain't already a member join the CWU a.s.p.
Rule 5 do the job properly.
Rule 6 start at your official start time.
Rule 7 take your full meal relief entitlement.
Rule 8 get to know your reps both IR and health and safety.

Other brothers and sisters will undoubtedly have additional rules for you.

mh80 · Post by **mh80** » 19 Sep 2008, 13:02

kwf166 wrote:Hi Guys, I been a postman for nearly a year now, and as you can imagined, I am still new to the job, or should I say still learning, I am on a different walk every week, take me about 2 days to get used to frame and walk, but how do you do the walk quicker?

Yesterday, it was really heavy, loads of packets, I didn't get there till around 11am, got back to the office after 4pm, so that about 5 hours, should I have done that quicker or am i been too hard on myself,apparently the average walk suppose to take 3 and half hours? so my one took an extra 1 and half,this probably true as I notice the guys that been there for years seems to get back quicker apparently this frame for the walk, is a bit messed up, so I did it my way, but this seems to have made it longer, tomorrow, I have a plan, I just hope it work, but it all depends on how heavy it is.

Need your tips, how do you do the walks, that your not used to? or even your own walks?

PS! I should also add I am part time and don't start till 8am

Good advice from the above posts.

It is hard at first when you're not used to the walks, only way is practice or I would ask someone who knows the frame/round to help you out if they can, how they normally do it and if you don't want to work OT you don't have to. See the info on here about doing your job properly.

The 3.5 hours for delivery is nonsense in my office especially on heavy days, everyone has either had to drop bags or work OT.

We're supposed to be out at 9.30 but it's been as late as 11 too.

I know how you feel mate, I was in your position about 2 years ago too. You do get a bit faster eventually at prepping rounds and delivering, but don't do yourself in by taking overweight bags (see the CWU pouch weight matrix) or legging it round just to get finished on time on heavy days.

Pmn · Post by **Pmn** » 19 Sep 2008, 19:06

kwf166 wrote:
Yesterday, it was really heavy, loads of packets, I didn't get there till around 11am, got back to the office after 4pm, so that about 5 hours, should I have done that quicker or am i been too hard on myself,apparently the average walk suppose to take 3 and half hours? so my one took an extra 1 and half,this probably true as I notice the guys that been there for years seems to get back quicker

I know the feeling. I've only been with RM 6 months and guys who joined at the same time as me seem to get back back a lot quicker, nevermind the ones who've been there years. I've got a bit quicker of late but I suppose my slowness it is a combination of a lack of fitness in comparison, experience and the fact that I don't feel the need to rush anyway because I've not got responsibilities family wise etc. A couple of these will improve with time I suppose.

Then you have to ask: how many of these guys are cutting corners? Doorsteeping? Shabbing? Cutting across places where they shouldn't? I don't do any of this.

At the end of the day though, no way is everyone going to be able to walk at the same speeds. They have to make some allowances. So I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Need your tips, how do you do the walks, that your not used to? or even your own walks?

Keep your bags as light as possible - even going well under the official limits. This seems to make all the difference for me. I can't understand these people that make their bags overweight? Surely it is just false economy? You'll walk much quicker without that weight on your back and won't tire as quickly. Oh and you won't be screwed in years to come with back problems and knee problems that could well keep you out of work.

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 19 Sep 2008, 19:22

You also have to remember that not all duties are equal, they are all different (I know because I've done all the duties in my office and they take me different times).

And if you're really worried then ask for re-training just to make sure you're not doing anything you shouldn't be doing.

moggymoz · Post by **moggymoz** » 19 Sep 2008, 19:36

disgruntledpostie1 wrote:You also have to remember that not all duties are equal, they are all different (I know because I've done all the duties in my office and they take me different times).

And if you're really worried then ask for re-training just to make sure you're not doing anything you shouldn't be doing.

one of the things you shouldn't be doing as a part timer is ips and if the lino asks you to do it tell him where to go.

:lfo :cfo

lifesentence · Post by **lifesentence** » 19 Sep 2008, 19:41

Speed is the key.. not running or trying to go fast. Little things like trying to handle the mail as few times as poss.

This is example:- 500 calls if you take 5 seconds extra at each call that will add up to 30 - 40 mins wasted. Practice makes perfect. Good luck.

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 19 Sep 2008, 19:46

lifesentence wrote:Speed is the key.. not running or trying to go fast. Little things like trying to handle the mail as few times as poss.

This is example:- 500 calls if you take 5 seconds extra at each call that will add up to 30 - 40 mins wasted. Practice makes perfect. Good luck.

That sounds like a skill

lifesentence · Post by **lifesentence** » 19 Sep 2008, 19:50

You save some then waste some. People want to chat but you find the line eventually then dont push any more .

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 19 Sep 2008, 21:03

moggymoz wrote:one of the things you shouldn't be doing as a part timer is ips and if the lino asks you to do it tell him where to go. :lfo :cfo

Does that apply everywhere? I'm on a 25 hr contract and get asked to do IPS.

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 19 Sep 2008, 21:36

NewPostieUK wrote:
moggymoz wrote:one of the things you shouldn't be doing as a part timer is ips and if the lino asks you to do it tell him where to go. :lfo :cfo
Does that apply everywhere? I'm on a 25 hr contract and get asked to do IPS.

3 1/2 hour delivery plus 30 minute break plus 10mins travelling time plus 10 mins pouching off leaves you exactly 40 mins to prep and tie up any for all the time you have left you can do IPS.

Edward Hunter · Post by **Edward Hunter** » 19 Sep 2008, 21:46

If you are slow at throwing off on a new frame, try picking out the road that on the frame is split or badly numbered and initially just throw that in a pile. This allows you to learn the other roads and helps you to get them in the frame quicker, I know that it means you handle the split roads mail twice, but by throwing off the tricky bit in one go it tends to sink in a bit better! Works for me but everyone is different.

kwf166 · Post by **kwf166** » 19 Sep 2008, 21:58

Wow thanks for all the responses, I had a much better day, took me lest than 4 hours, I did the walk differently, I do speak to the guys that have done this duty, but all he said was do this bit and the rest by the frame, but according to some others it a bit messed up, some of it doesn't make sense, I don't get much time to throw of the walk as I am in from 8am, so on busy days, it can be as late as 11am, they still expect you do the d2d as well

what is ips? as for the frame, this particular one isn't too bad, I have come across some really annoying ones with too many similar names.

Thanks for all the advice on the rules, I am aware of it though, I just need more money, so I usually extend, 6 hours a days wage is no good for me.

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 20 Sep 2008, 13:35

disgruntledpostie1 wrote: 3 1/2 hour delivery plus 30 minute break plus 10mins travelling time plus 10 mins pouching off leaves you exactly 40 mins to prep and tie up any for all the time you have left you can do IPS.

Wed - fri it takes me two hours to throw up frame band up, although I get an extra hour, and only 20 mins break.

sat, mon and tues it usually takes me less than 3 1/2 hours to do the walk, unless it's really busy. Those are my 5 hour days.