C&D driver.

[Jasey12]

Hi all, might end up being a regular user of this forum, apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I am currently employed by Parcelforce but based out of a warehouse loading parcels for one of our largest customers, however I have been offered a transfer as a C&D driver and I am attending my local depot tomorrow morning to have a discussion and a look around, is there anything I should be aware of or any questions I should ask specifically? It is a guaranteed 40 hours a week plus 2 hours SA, (effectively 50 hours a week)

My current manager has asked me to have a chat with some of the drivers to get their opinion on the job, I’m sure they’ll say the job is brilliant in front of their manager but what do You C&D drivers on this forum honestly think?

I also have the option of becoming a postie, however this is only 30 hours a week but is closer to my home (about 1.5 miles) as opposed to the Parcelforce depot (10+) miles. Also the overtime is available as a postie but not guaranteed (or so they say)

If you had the choice of a C&D driver or a postie, what do you think would be the better option?

Thanks all, I’m looking forward to your replies.

[clashcityrocker]

Part time postman is a s**t job, especially if you are relying on overtime.
If you need a full time wage take the job that offers it.

If you can live off 30 hours money and don't mind being crapped on by your managers, colleagues and union then consider the postman role.

[blacov]

Hi all, might end up being a regular user of this forum, apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I am currently employed by Parcelforce but based out of a warehouse loading parcels for one of our largest customers, however I have been offered a transfer as a C&D driver and I am attending my local depot tomorrow morning to have a discussion and a look around, is there anything I should be aware of or any questions I should ask specifically? It is a guaranteed 40 hours a week plus 2 hours SA, (effectively 50 hours a week)

My current manager has asked me to have a chat with some of the drivers to get their opinion on the job, I’m sure they’ll say the job is brilliant in front of their manager but what do You C&D drivers on this forum honestly think?

I also have the option of becoming a postie, however this is only 30 hours a week but is closer to my home (about 1.5 miles) as opposed to the Parcelforce depot (10+) miles. Also the overtime is available as a postie but not guaranteed (or so they say)

If you had the choice of a C&D driver or a postie, what do you think would be the better option?

Thanks all, I’m looking forward to your replies.

Mate I've done both parcelforce and postie. Take the c&d job. Giving you 40h + 2h sa means you will almost certainly land your own route. It will be hell first 2-3 weeks before you get to know your round. Once you are comfortable around the delivery area you will like it. Find out if your route is preloaded and if it is to begin with let your night shift loaders know to leave your parcels outside your van. It will help you at the beginning to arrange it the way it suits you best. On the other hand you have p/t postman job and being part time reserve you will be all over the place for a very long time before you manage to get out of the mess.

[Clifford883]

Parcelforce is obviously more pay due to the guaranteed hours.

Be warned though..

-You won't get your own route for a couple years. There's an off the record pecking order.
-you will be covering all random routes and clearing up.
-expect to be overloaded with parcels.
-it's heavy lifting up to 30KG
-they're piling the pressure lately on drivers, forcing them to take another 10 to 30 jobs out.
-they'd prefer it if you didn't take a lunch break.
-some routes have awful collections where you'll often be way overloaded. If you tell a manager they'll brush it under the rug.
-sometimes you'll end up driving over the 10 hour limit.

[gomez73]

I've been a C&D driver for about 18 months. I've enjoyed it so far and have done a mixture of sweeping up for single or multiple areas and covering route drivers who are off due to sickness / holidays. It's been a good experience working all over learning different areas.

In our depot as far as I know when routes come up they are decided on seniority.

As far as lunch breaks go, you must take one otherwise it will skew the new rex figures and they will expect you to take more out the next day.

On an average day, i'm in at 8:12 and back in the depot before 17:30 to unload collections / returns etc. I spend my first hour or so loading the van (this may be changing to pre-loaded vans soon).

And it's true they are expecting you to take out slightly more than before but on the flip-side you may also be told you have too much and have to take some parcels off the van.

I've never worked as a postie but wouldn't fancy having to work weekends - I only do that through choice if there's overtime.

Good luck with whatever you decide.