For me it was way back in 1990 (I think) and was the office Data Post runner which was the top prestige service that RM offered at the time which also resulted in a total bollocking for the Dom if any failed.
It was a peach as you came in half an hour later at 5.30am and picked up a section of a walk (around 80 calls) which the night staff had to complete at the end of their shift so it was always prepped and waiting to bundle up. That was a lovely rural very much out in the sticks and took around an easy hour always in the offices newest van. Then back to the office to pick up your Data Post parcels.
These HAD to be delivered (or attempted) by 10am or the customer earned a refund. Occasionally you could get pushed with around 20 items all over the area but that was very rare as mostly it was only around 5-6 and them being regular firms who started their day early. I used to have them finished by 8.30am and then back to join mum for tea and toast, drive her to work, before returning just as the day mail arrived. Straight out to skim around 80 calls with just a hand full of letters and home by around 10am on most days and many even earlier.
But the best day was Saturday as we only delivered the sat guaranteed Data Post items and normally there would only ever be 1 or 2 for private addresses and if i was lucky on some Sat’s not any. The thought of going into work on a sat with no ips or even prep and just an 80 call delivery was amazing. Without any Data post I was home and back in bed by 7.00am.
I remember getting up again about 9.30 and my dad not even realising I had been to work.
I always knew it would never last and 6 months later I lost it on a repick to a much senior posite. Who then lost it himself when it was swallowed up by Parcel Force and we never saw the likes of those days again.
Long time ago though,and not a whatnot in sight.
