the over 50's

[osgoody1970]

can it be done? a four-five hour delivery, every day, when you are over 50, I know the fireman and the police have something in place when they reach 50 or above, but it seems royal mail don't think there is a problem, I go home shattered everyday, weather it is a light or heavy day, need to think about getting out, before I do myself too much damage!!!!

[Lounge Lizard]

Just the same for many of us, little other than working and sleeping ( and the occasional few minutes on here ), a worse work - life balance than older workers of other occupations.

[holly123]

IT WOULD BE NICE TO GO OUT AND DO ONE WALK THEN GO BACK TO THE OFFICE FOR FULL 40MIN MEAL BREAK THEN BACK OUT TILL CUT OFF TIME , IT WOULD MAKE THE JOB ALOT BETTER

[eian687]

l get really knackered the 1st few days back after a week or 2 off

[dvbuk55]

I delivered until I was 56/7 without any problem until my knee went, which was entirely my fault. I injured it 6 years or so before and ignored it for 6 months and didn't even report it and the pain just continued until eventually the knee was gone and I could no longer bear the weight of a pouch. My advice would be deliver for as long as you can and make sure you take care of yourself and don't ignore obvious problems whatever they are even tiredness because there could be an underlying cause for that.

[Lincox]

I am 63 coming on 64 and still able to do a 4/4.5hour delivery because still using a bike. The CWU should never have agreed to bring in a delivery system that takes weight off the shoulder (assuming correct delivery methods used) and then distributes pressure and strain to the rest of the body. It is a disgrace to the health and safety system. Thank god I will only have to engage in this stupid park and loop system for a max of 1 year.

[dvbuk55]

I am 63 coming on 64 and still able to do a 4/4.5hour delivery because still using a bike. The CWU should never have agreed to bring in a delivery system that takes weight off the shoulder (assuming correct delivery methods used) and then distributes pressure and strain to the rest of the body. It is a disgrace to the health and safety system. Thank god I will only have to engage in this stupid park and loop system for a max of 1 year.

My word Linc that's some experience with bikes, any tips on how to keep it serviced

[Lincox]

Well fotunately DVB I only do a 3 day week now, so as soon as something falls off, as long as it,s not me, I tell Lino to get it in to the cycle mechanic and when I need it back. Seems to work as he knows I can,t deliver without it, so it,s in his interest to get it sorted

[dvbuk55]

Well fotunately DVB I only do a 3 day week now, so as soon as something falls off, as long as it,s not me, I tell Lino to get it in to the cycle mechanic and when I need it back. Seems to work as he knows I can,t deliver without it, so it,s in his interest to get it sorted

On a more serious note part of one of the duties I did was cycle mechanic after doing the indoor work. Originally we had 57 cycles some of which were BER but held against duties which people were using cars and so were never used. Anyway cut a long story short even for the newer Mailstars I found it difficult to get spares and tools at the end................all we have left of those days is the cycle shed and no cycles.

[Lincox]

Same as us in the nearest DO. The cycle shed was used for piling up parcels over the christmas pressure. Just about managing to keep bikes going out in the Subs but due to go very soon.

[Barbel]

Talking to a colleague about this today and the thought of getting into your late 50's and 60's still out delivering in all weather's doesn't bear thinking about. Also, I don't know if it's the same in other DO's but there's quite a few people in our office who have had heart attacks at a young age, the youngest being around 35 though he did survive thank goodness and is still in the job. There's also been a few over the years who have just dropped dead at their fitting.

[clashcityrocker]

I was a postman in my 20s and I couldn't imagine doing the job at 30.
I was a postman in my 30s and couldn't imagine doing the job at 40.
Now in my 50s .........you get my drift.

All the walking should lower your blood pressure making heart attacks less likely but other factors may override that.

[fishtank]

I think the long term wear and tear and the unsocial hours/weather are more of an issue than age itself.
Being able to continue delivering in your 50s is not that difficult if you look after yourself but working in delivery for 35-40 years with the current delivery spans or longer? is unlikely.

I don't imagine those coming into the job at 20 now will still be working in delivery at 50 although by then everything will be chrome and we'll have hoverboards and personal robots and stuff.

[Shaman Mao]

I'm nearly 52 and so far I haven't had any problems with the longer delivery span. Having said that I never played football (or any other sport) when I was younger so my knees are still OK. I'll also volunteer for every (ex)PHG job going so that I get the odd week inside. Xmas was a bit tough (always has been) and wasn't helped by getting a letter from my GP inviting me in for my Over 50s MOT :(

[Redyam]

I don't imagine those coming into the job at 20 now will still be working in delivery at 50 although by then everything will be chrome and we'll have hoverboards and personal robots and stuff.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/16 ... f=category" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Royal Mail should invest in these!