Courier Work?

Will87 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Karma :

How long do you have to have held a license for to do courier work? As i was thinking it could be an option for some summer work.

Sorry for the ideas spinning around my head.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

If you're young, you can't afford the insurance. Money isn't that great until you get really good anyway.

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Don't think there is much restrictions on couriers at all. They are always after fresh meat. Plenty used to take on learners.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

MattEMulsion · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Karma :

Take a look at this post that cropped up not so long back, as there are some informative and interesting comments about courier work in it.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=39098&highlight=courier
____________________
Yamaha YZF-R6

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Was talking to an ex-courier not long ago about this and have posted something similar myself last year. You will need to be approaching mid 20's to get anywhere near reasonable insurance. Then when you start you will be given the shit job's that the pro's/longer working guy's have not bothered to take yet, their scraps/the shit jobs basically. After a while once youve proved yourself you will get more job's apparently. I was also told to not even think about doing long-distance work as it just isnt worth it. And it is one of the most dangerous job's going (read the link above) especially if it's London. The same guy I was talking to said he's son (20-ish) did courier work on a pushbike and could earn about £400 a week on a good week. Apparently he get's on the train then once up town radio's in from the station and goes from there to wherever he's needed. You will get madly fit but probably just as dangerous.
According to this guy it is PURELY about knowledge, if you know where your going yoou can beat a new person on a bigger bike with you on a CG125 apparently (found out my dad used to do some running/courier work for a magazine when he was about 20 (almost 30 years ago) and agreed knowledge was the key.

So basically if you want to get fit and dont mind being cold then do it on a pushbike. Being a nutcase/kerb hopping masochist is helpful too Twisted Evil

____________________
Pictorgraphicalfantastical

mattsmith95 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Insurance is the main problem, it costs a small fortune and if you are only going to do it as a summer job it's not really worth it. Having courier insurance is a must, if you don't you and get caught you are really in the shit.

In London the police enjoy setting up check points and they love hitting couriers, mainly to check up on road tax and bike condition. If the police are not happy with the bike and they issue a 7-day wonder and you don't have the correct insurance you are in trouble.

As for what Keith says, I confirm that courier firms are always on the lookout for fresh meat. There are no real restrictions for couriers, some companies don't give a crap about your background, some are very fussy.

Courier firms do welcome summer riders mainly to fill in for the all year bikers who bugger off for their holidays.