First Rural Duty

WornOutPosty · Post by **WornOutPosty** » 30 Dec 2012, 19:44

Thanks again everyone. I did manage to get the DOM to let me have a day with someone to show it me, rather begrudgingly. I'll go into it with an open mind but I sort of think it will be more enjoyable than walking once I get to know the ropes.

wear's a wig · Post by **wear's a wig** » 30 Dec 2012, 20:33

Take care driving past animals they are very unpredictable,may dart infront of van,especially at lambing time.

WornOutPosty · Post by **WornOutPosty** » 31 Dec 2012, 18:10

It sounds like most people like the rurals, this one is VERY rural. There is a chance I may be able to stay on the duty for a good length of time so I hope I can do OK on it. The fitting is the bit that daunts me, it's just full of house and farm names lol.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 01 Jan 2013, 11:40

WornOutPosty wrote:It sounds like most people like the rurals, this one is VERY rural. There is a chance I may be able to stay on the duty for a good length of time so I hope I can do OK on it. The fitting is the bit that daunts me, it's just full of house and farm names lol.

If it's VERY rural then you'll need to allow a bit of extra time for the farmers who occasionally need a hand with the livestock and the lonely widows living in isolated cottages who don't see anyone else all week, but you'll save a fortune on your food bill, not just the roadkill which will be all the meat you can eat, all year round, but also all the surplus produce from the smallholdings, especially during the autumn. If you're a 'townie' it'll be a bit of a shock at first but you'll soon settle into the country ways !

superports · Post by **superports** » 01 Jan 2013, 12:24

We get 3 days training on a rural.
1st day make notes of every house, ie Lane behind pillar/green gates/big tree etc
2nd day follow your notes telling driver where to go
3rd day you drive following your notes.
Good luck.

seeker019 · Post by **seeker019** » 01 Jan 2013, 20:33

If it's really rural then 'BE KIND TO EVERYONE' and 'Take time to chat'.

May seem daft, but if something goes wrong and your stranded you will have a door to knock on,
or a tractor if your stuck.

At xmas your tips could run into £000's + presents.

WornOutPosty · Post by **WornOutPosty** » 02 Jan 2013, 17:10

Will see how I get on tomorrow - very nervous about the prep but looking forward to it at the same time

. I have no idea how much mail / how many packets to expect on a rural but I'll try to enjoy it

krussel · Post by **krussel** » 02 Jan 2013, 17:53

Just take your time and rem to inform the Dom if you think you will go over. You will prob miss the odd DP and have to double back etc, all part of the fun

wiganpostie · Post by **wiganpostie** » 03 Jan 2013, 16:55

How many delivery points are there on a rural? We've got a re-sign starting soon and this rural malarkey sounds interesting...

fishtank · Post by **fishtank** » 03 Jan 2013, 18:13

wiganpostie wrote:How many delivery points are there on a rural? We've got a re-sign starting soon and this rural malarkey sounds interesting...

The upsides of a rural.

D2D is a piece of piss..really it is.
Bulk postings...so what,you're normally going to every door anyway.
Farmer's wives/daughters...you won't starve.

The downsides.

Farms.
Farmers.
Farmer's dogs.

BernardBresslaw · Post by **BernardBresslaw** » 03 Jan 2013, 18:17

Longer deliveries usually too, in terms of time. It will be interesting to compare them once shared vans come into our office. Having done both, bike rounds are far easier.

bydand91 · Post by **bydand91** » 03 Jan 2013, 18:51

Re: First Rural Duty
by ballee » Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:50 pm

Remember to have no mail in the front of your van, that includes door to door. Always work from the back of your van. We have had numerous postmen lose their jobs in Northern for this. Also do not leave your van unlocked or the keys in the ignition. The IB are always out and about. Other than that a rural duty is by far a better job

Yes that's the rules,but if we worked by the rules we would all be late everday

Post by **Lincox** » 03 Jan 2013, 19:46

You are only late if YOU decide to go over your time and do overtime. No one can force you to work over. Do the job to the rules and if you want to go over, entirely up to you.Otherwise face losing your job because you want to rush to get home.

bydand91 · Post by **bydand91** » 04 Jan 2013, 19:25

How did you get on (worn out postie)?