Park and Loop - Methods and techniques!

[banner18]

Just wondering what people have found to be the most efficient ways of working 2 in a van, including working in the office? Any ideas that people have for doing it more efficiently etc...


For instance, do people write their initials in large writing on each bag, so it is easier and quicker to pull them out of the van etc.. if you get the idea ...... cheers

[OnAFlyer]

Just wondering what people have found to be the most efficient ways of working 2 in a van, including working in the office? Any ideas that people have for doing it more efficiently etc...


For instance, do people write their initials in large writing on each bag, so it is easier and quicker to pull them out of the van etc.. if you get the idea ...... cheers

I put my bags in the back, in order, and my partner puts his in the side door, also in order. Any large packets go in between, and I use the first empty bag to put the 739 parcels and any undeliverable letters in.

It just needs a bit of organisation. Some of the retards in my office just throw the bags into the back all mixed up, no wonder they can't get done on time they're probably spending half the day searching through bags.

[Royal_Fail]

Yeah loading the van up so your first loop is at front with save you time also handy to write down where you have big packets for if your not familiar with round.

[chrisj]

With lots of new bags around, the p&L 'round' I have been on this week has the name of the round/loop number written on the bags and that included the loop numbers e. 1 - 7 but each loop has almost 2 bags for one of the walk because of the number of packets.

We have only just started taking out big big packets so that will have to be catered for as a team. We had so many recently including big bulky specials; the driver had to break off to go and do the big packets and 'specials' where time is running short.

Because of the above, the bundling, I have found out, should be mostly street by street; if poss, and avenues, closes and ways should be bundled separately so that the bag can be easily split if need be for above reason or if someone is doing a bit too much - on the day.

Working as a team is the key. Helping each other to load and unload the van, collect specials, and monitor activities. Also, try and be accommodating of the other person's ways of doing things; if you do the same loops regularly. Some people like small bundle and some like numbered bundles, marked packets etc. I am probably going to work with someone tomorrow who does not mark packets but tries to remember things and says they put them in order - that is all well and good if it is your round and you know most of the customers and you have thrown and bundled yourself. Moreover, there are loads more packets these days and even more is included on the way out in terms of specials and tracked.

But constantly trying to remember about the packets by looking in the bags or relying on memory does not suit me - but I will have to deal with it, its only for a day; the person and I are reserves.

[chrisj]

Just to add a bit more as regards the bags: the bags have been numbered by the walkholders and are constantly by the frame. The same bags are used by reserves and returned at the end of the day - no job and knock as vans has to go back to office.

But when bags start getting old and scarce, the system might not always work as folks take (steal) other people's bags.

[glenfiddich]

But when bags start getting old and scarce, the system might not always work as folks take (steal) other people's bags.

aye i started with 14 bags and am now down to 3 i tray my mail up and replenish the bags from them that way i can see everything in the back of the van so no forgetting packets

[postman1]

On one side of the Van i've ''Cable-Tied'' a Royal Mail sack, so that any packet/letter items that are ''Notice Lefts'' get put in the sack, so it don't get lost or mis-placed when you get back to the depot, empty onto York with Pouches and PDA's and Bobs yer Uncle!! Jobs a good 'Un!!

[Stormproof]

One walk in loop order by the back doors and the other walk in order in the side door. Parcels in the middle. Bags get stacked as we go though the loops so when we get back to the office everything is ready to be transferred to a york and wheeled back into the office.

[mandelsons_toenail]

good thread

[Patrick Clifton]

When I first began park & loop, I made sure that the bundles were clearly marked so no mix-ups could happen. I used a 'D' for driver loops & a 'N' for non-driver loops. Loading the van correctly is essential. Different coloured labels to identify driver and non-driver bags.

Sorting the oversized packets, if you have a few, into the back of the van will save some time during delivery.

Someone needs to take charge. Someone who can decide 'This loops dont work, they need changed.' 'We have a lot of packets these loops, whoever is first back can start delivering the ones nearby.'

Dont be scared to change things around. Swap loops about to find out what works best and how you can work it most efficently with minimal disruptance.

[banner18]

Good stuff, cheers, keep it coming!

What about 9.00 oclock specials? If you go out early with one of these do you take a few big packets and clear them at the same time?

How do you decide which packets need to be driven to the door remembering that it is more efficient to carry as much as possible with the trolleys?

If a loop is especially small or light on occasions, do you use a bag over shoulder considering it will be faster?

[Patrick Clifton]

Good stuff, cheers, keep it coming!

What about 9.00 oclock specials? If you go out early with one of these do you take a few big packets and clear them at the same time?

Only ever had 1 on a residential duty.

How do you decide which packets need to be driven to the door remembering that it is more efficient to carry as much as possible with the trolleys?

Big bastards or if you are carrying as much as you can take, leave the biggest for delivery via van. Take as much as you can manage with you, it saves time.

[Stormproof]

What about 9.00 oclock specials?

Certain duties within my office are assigned to do 9am specials, they do these instead of IPS.

[chrisj]

I like the different doors approach, I might try that tomorrow as I might be leading but then it probably depends on who loads the van; there might not be enough time to explain who does what when working with someone new rounds/walks.

Bags for missorts and returns also a good idea - perhaps a box might be better...

[ashadd]

Have you not seen RM s training park and loop dvd then...???