Questions of a (new) Pizza Delivery Boy

[Ingah]

I *think* i've landed myself the part-time job delivering pizzas (riding their delivery bike). Hope i'm not being premature, but go me! Really happy as i've been purely a student trying to keep both a girlfriend and a CB500 running since i quit my last job in October.

Got an interview soon but i've been told i'm going be put on a week-long trial so it sounds like as long as i don't yell at the boss and call him/her names in the interview room i've pretty much got the job.

Anyhow, i'll be using their bike to deliver - i'm pretty confident it's a 50cc scooter, restricted to 30mph.

So now i need to mentally and/or physically prepare as i've never done riding to deadlines / for money before. I was posting here hoping someone could share some tips, tricks, or survival-musts, that i could do to make my employment go smoothly. Anyone that's previously done this kind of job or similar before would be particularly appreciated, as i'm far more nervous about what could go wrong (not that i'm planning to let anything go wrong) doing this.

Gear-wise i think i'm largely sorted; i've got a new HJC CL-ST helmet, some battered old Aldi motorcycle gloves (with the required carbon fibre style knuckles in case i get attacked ), RST Vortex 2 boots (abit naff and didn't save me from an ankle sprain in my last low speed spill so i'm planning to upgrade to Alt-Bergs soon - assuming my potential employer becomes my permanent employer), Arlen Ness textile trousers, and an RST Ventilator textile jacket (along with either a removable integrated back protector, or a separate Oxford Max protection back protector that straps to me). Also have separate inner gloves, motorcycle "pants" (remind me of tights. In a manly way, of course.), motorcycle socks and will be picking up a neck warmer and can use a scarf in the meantime.

I'm planning on spending a little bit of time studying Google Maps before my first shift (again i really hope i'm not being premature thinking that far ahead...), then hopefully i may remember a street name or two to get me back on track when i inevitably get lost. Should i concentrate on looking for lots of short-cuts, or maybe more just at main roads at first so that i don't end up completely lost? Also should i be buying something to help me navigate on-the-job like a fold-out street map or GPS (or is something provided?) Additionally would i likely be expected to take a mobile phone with me on shift or do these things get provided? (i've got a suitable cheap one)

The city's busy, and from previous conversation it seems they'll be wanting me out more during rush hour than at night (they "don't like sending out riders at night", which sounds a little ominious as to night-time conditions), so in light of this (heavy traffic is a certainty), what sort of riding techniques should i be going for (and keeping the bike pinned at 30mph weaving through traffic is not my plan, even if it is what they (secretely) want, as i plan to live to my next birthday). I doubt they're looking for car-style sit-in-the-majority-of-queues otherwise they'd be using, well, cars. On the other hand i think filtering past busy junctions etc to shave seconds off is a good way to get the bike written off, and hurt, and generally not worth it. Agreed or not?

Sorry about the all questions, but i much prefer to ask them all here (possibly getting a more honest answer too), than ask my possible new boss in interview as it'll probably create the wrong impression of me (i'm sure most of the, probably 16 year old lads at a guess, they generally take on will just say "yeah i can do it, it'll be easy", and so my concerned and thorough questioning may worry them i'm not up to the job).

Note: Have posted this elsewhere too, so sorry for the repetition for those who may use other forums too.
____________________
-- Ingah

[TheDonUK]

Dont over think it, its not rocket-science.

Your shop should have a big map of the delivery area, with each delivery (and they will probably start you out doing one at a time) stare at the map and memorize the route.

Buy the thinnest and cheapest gloves you can manage in regards to the cold and your own safety. It soon gets annoying putting on gloves and taking them off to handle change and such.

When i did the job years back i did it in a rough area of london, i say rough and what i mean by that is full of a pizza boys worst enemy... bored chavs...

You are now a moving target, a source of amusement, a possible source of food. Get very good at talking yourself out of situations.

Forget sat nav or maps or whatever its just one more thing to lose or get nicked, go by the largest road possible untill you know the area.

As far as riding the peds im not going to give you advice on riding a 50cc twist and go, Its an on-off switch the throttle, and when you have chavs chasing you down the road or throwing things at you, you will wish you were on your 500... Incidentally if you jump off the peds after a shift your 500 will feel like a rocket ship.

My last piece of advice is if you get a bad feeling about going into a certain area, just turn back, make up a story to your boss if you have to that kids were chasing you or whatnot.. You are not an army medevac, it is not vital that the fatties get their pizza. And if you get robbed just give them what they want unless you fancy a go... Its not worth getting beaten up or worse for the companys overpriced pizza or their ped, sure if someone jacks your ped you may lose your job but fuckit you will soon discover its crap money.

Goodluck fella

____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Handsome]

Ask if it's policy that you only carry the correct change to the drop, so if an orders just over a tenner, you're only carrying the change of a twenty...

If they say no and expect you to carry money ( can't see why they'd risk that though tbh ), before you set off try and sort the right change out, if you see what I mean, and leave the rest in the scoot/sock/crack of your arse in case you get frisked by undesirables...

Then you've either made the boss happy or kept yourself in fags and piss for the weekend...
____________________
Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[chris-red]

AFAIK Pizza Hut insist you wear there skanky, ill fitting, crap kit as it a condition of the insurance.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Ariel Badger]

Do not forget to ask about the pension scheme.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Chippa]

Fingers crossed for you mate good luck...after the first couple of days once you have settled in you will wondering why you worried so much...on another note can i have some of the left over pizza
____________________
We Live In A Society Where Your Pizza Gets To Your House Before The Police Do.

XBOX Live Gamertag : OMG A COCONUT PS3 Tag : SL1CED BREAD

[Mr Hammers]

Few tips;

1) If you can carry a small but powerful torch to read door numbers in the dark, without having to keep getting off your bike.

2) If you get a bunch of people who try to pay you in bits - saying "if i give you a £10 and you give my change to Brian and he'll give you the 80p and then if you take for Susan's pizza"...etc..etc, then just be firm and tell them you don't care how they work it out, just give you the right money and that's it. Otherwise you'll find you're somehow a fiver down at the end of the night...

3) Relax and have fun, and don't rush everywhere unless you feel like it. Don't be put under pressure to get it there on time all the time.

It's not the greatest job in the world, but it can be a good laugh, if you're lucky you'll make some good friends and meet some interesting people if you get a good crew.

One last one;

A blow job should count for about 50% of the cost of a pizza from an average looking girl. Raise or lower, depending on the level of attractiveness.
____________________
A Guide To Powerbands

[damz]

is the shop company or franchised? if its company they can be a bit more strict (however if the franchise owner is strict it can be stricter)

as for gloves, i wear huge thick gloves which are not too tight so they slide off quite easily so not much effort to take on and off. your hand will be cold pretty much no matter what during winter.

also about the insurance thing, the will allow you to wear gear that is of a better quality and safety standards. so they cant force you to wear a cracked pizza hut helmet instead of a working non hut helmet. likewise if the jacket is shit they cant make you wear it if it doesnt work.

i'd recommend bringing an mp3 player, the engine noise of the moped running for hours is incredibly anoying. if your using the ludix you have to get on top of the scooter while on the side stand because only giants can get over the battery housing in the central section.

also some stores now charge staff for replacing tyres if you damage them too often (a guy in a shop nearby burst 3 tyres within a month) so dont go full speed into the curbs or over glass bottles. speed bumps are ok, you can get a bit of air too altho i did destroy the suspension doing that.


also nsr-ad they give you £15 in change at the start of the night, you dont need to carry any other money on you so if you get mugged its the shop that will loose the money. (well if you keep your tips on you that will go as well)

i tend to keep everything on me anyway such as phone and wallet but i work in a posh'ish area.
____________________
Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

[MattBlackCust...]

I did pizza hut suicide pilot for a few months, had several punch ups with drivers, wrecked 2 brand new bikes and ruined many pizza's!! Do not do wheelies while delivering, do it once you've delivered the cargo!! Or stoppies!! My best trick was to ride down the road towards the roundabout and close my eyes for as long as possible, and see how close I was to dying!!
____________________
See you on the road, scag!!!

www.freewebs.com/mattblackcustoms

[Throttle]

Don't get cocky, armoured gloves won't count for shit if 2 or 3 guys want your pizza.

Be wise, stick to roads you know and don't try and be brave if someone tries to steal something.

[MattBlackCust...]

Get ready to put on weight as well, eating all the free pizza!!
____________________
See you on the road, scag!!!

www.freewebs.com/mattblackcustoms

[damz]

[pwntifex]

[Ingah]

It is pizza hut (franchised), and i've definitely got the job (well i'm going to be put on a trial anyway).

They are going to give me a tenner to start and that's it - so i won't be carrying large sums around (and i'll see about leaving tips etc - maybe being abit hopeful there - behind in the shop somewhere very safe)
It's a 50cc twist n'go 30mph peugeot loomix or ludix or something (bugger), but i half expected this . They used to use Hondas apparently like any sensible business should.
They aren't going to be awkward about armour etc so i'm going to wear mine, i tried on their jacket and it felt ok really, apart from being far too baggy to protect properly. Their gloves were pants, HUGE things. And naturally, it all needed a wash
They don't send riders into the rough part of town (as they've suffered thefts etc before - kinda begs the question of why they don't put a cheap remote control immobiliser on the vehicles or something?) Methinks in this light my money etc is safer on me so the chavs that wheel the bike away don't get it.

Thanks for all the tips - i will benefit from this stuff muchly (better learn it beforehand than the hard way).

Any recommendations on the glove front? - mine really are starting fall apart so probably won't last many shifts.

I'm actually quite looking forward to it (am i mental or something?!)
____________________
-- Ingah

[Pie-Roe]

Keep no personal things on you, and don't feel any responsibility towards putting yourself at risk to protect the food, or even the bike.

It's not yours, so why get in hassle over it.

Pyro
____________________
Previous: GSF600, FZR600 x2, ZXR750, XT600 Tenere, CB125, CZ125, ETZ 250, ER5, CCM R30, DRZ400, RF600x4, RF900x2, GS500, VTR1000F, 640 SMC, CB250 NIGHTHAWK, GT550x3, GPX750 TE610, CB500, X11x2, SV650, ZING 125, TL1000R,CB250 Superdream, CBR1100XX

[st3v3]

[Ingah]

Funnily enough they said the previous guy wrote off 2 bikes in 2 months and has now quit. Wasn't you MattBlack was it?

I try to look after bikes, even when they're not mine (don't get me wrong i'm not going to lovingly warm its engine up while i'm on a timer, but i'm not going to go up kerbs full pelt etc - i'll save that for the braver/crazier individuals that don't worry about it spitting them off or failing just as you need to run from chavs..). I'll be the only rider (at first anyway) so err.. it's quite obvious who's causing the damage if it just-so-happens to keep getting trashed...

I was thinking of taking a very CHEAP mobile phone with no personal contacts in it (i bought it brand new and unlocked for £18 so it's street sale value is nil) in case i need to call 999 or the shop. And obviously, my wallet is staying at home.
____________________
-- Ingah

[Tris]

Glad to hear you got the trial, sounds like you've thought everything through, and exactally as you said, a cheapo phone wont be likely to get knicked and it does the job.

Keep safe, and have some fun.... wish I could do that up here!
____________________
8 Years riding, and many more to come...
Current bike: Kawasaki er6f

[damz]

[adinnhall]

Just had a pizza delivered from Pizza Company in Patong out of desperation . The pompous delivery boy said he had no change and took off with a big fat tip with no apology for not having change. I imagine it would be pretty tough personally to take a job as a pizza delivery guy after being a successful CEO.
____________________
What is a pension

[Fisty]

eh?
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[chris-red]

[Marmalade]

the rule/law as i know it is it is the customer who is required to pay the amount due, not a requirement of the seller to supply the correct change because the buyer cannot pay amount due.

Saying that it is probably a fast food delivery driver scam to get extra money. If they came to me with no change and an attitude i'd say, ok, i'll leave it then unless you miraculously find some change in your pocket.
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[TheDonUK]

If you can afford to order pizza you can afford to tip...
____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Marmalade]

Yeah, but not if he's trying to scam you out of the change money and has a bad attitude, you tip for good service not some arrogant wanker trying to pull a fast one
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky