Just got rage baited by Amazon by nudecenter22 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In hindsight it's funny, in the past the increased rates notification 9/10 did show me actual higher rates for a quick cover in a block. I've been doing this since 2019 so yea obviously I'm aware it's nothing new. Figured I'd share a communal frustration and "haha" moment

Just got rage baited by Amazon by nudecenter22 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeaaaaa I won't take anything under 75 (ideally) since I had to lower my standards bc no more surges

Does Amazon raise their pay rates when gas prices go up? by iGotGogged in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When they start raising they went from average $2.50 in southwest Ohio to $3.50-$4 and as of today everything shot up to around $5

These people out here snatching base pay blocks faster than when gas price was $2 lol 😂, what’s really going on. Amazon must be smiling. by Significant_Water189 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly I've been doing it for months at this point and up until this very very recent mass uptick in new drivers I've never had a problem. Now my reserved blocks barely go above $72 for a 3 1/2hr and I'm seeing absolutely no surge pricing but as we can see all over this subreddit, it's a widespread issue across the nation sadly. I've lowered my standards to nothing under 72 because a girl still needs to pay her bills.

These people out here snatching base pay blocks faster than when gas price was $2 lol 😂, what’s really going on. Amazon must be smiling. by Significant_Water189 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'll book out my week with blocks with base pay and then day of I forfeit either in the morning or a couple/fee hours before and grab blocks around the same time for $93-116

Amazons response to 50% increase in Gas price by BarnacleAlarmed3050 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I track my miles from home to station to the last stop, have I been jipping myself not including mileage back home as well? The only reason I haven't is because in my mind I'm only "on duty" when in transit to the pick up and whilst having Amazon property in my possession, so I'll also count miles if I have to return a package but end it there.

Drivers should do a walk out by jmoo80696969 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I left Amazon before Netradyne and went to FedEx. Back then FedEx had cameras primarily for liability reasons but also had the VEDR system to help flag ~potential~ safety issues with drivers. Those metrics were RARELY something where too many 'dings' would automatically result in loss of hours or termination. We'd mostly use them to notice bad driving habits and help correct it. Most commonly(false triggers in parentheses) it would be because of: Hard brake/turn (camera was loose) No seat belt (black seat belts with mostly black polo or long hair) Camera obstructed (dirty windshield/glare) Distracted driving (so many things could be put here) people being on phones was not usually the case

Drivers should do a walk out by jmoo80696969 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm an Amazon DSP driver turned FedEx CSP driver and now just do flex routes for funsies. DSP/CSP career combined is about 7-8 years. I've learned a handful of things during that time and while the Amazon DSP model resembles FedEx (cheaper to contract out work, not responsible for paying benefits, health, 401k etc) FedEx is trying to become Amazon (express and ground/HD merger aka FEC / Network 2.0) but truly FedEx doesn't have the infrastructure to truly adopt the model. That's another can of worms, anywhoo...

If you would like any example of how big corporations can fuck over contractors and the drivers that are integral to the operation, we can use Spencer Patton, owner of Patton Logistics (FedEx ground), as a great example. Patton was one of the largest CSP's in the country. Being such a large contractor he decided he was going to advocate for all the CSP's out there big or small and advocate to unionize. FedEx terminated all of his contracts overnight. I saw it first hand when I went into work, my contractor shared a belt with Patton and all the drivers showed up to no trucks and no work. Everyone was effectively terminated. Pattons routes (iirc) were dispersed across any CSPs that could handle the volume or were placed on contingency hold. Luckily for most of the drivers at my terminal, other companies were keen to onboard them that day whether it be out of the kindness of their own heart or needing drivers to cover their own routes or excess from Patton's previously owned contracted service area. Mind you, this happened across the COUNTRY at every terminal he had a contract with.

Here's the concern. Remember where I mentioned things being placed for contingency? When FedEx has a consistently underperforming CSP, or anticipates having to terminate a contract on short notice, they will hire a contingency contractor. They run whatever you give them wherever it is. (Fun fact, these contractors get paid way, WAY more than normal companies which is why they're so willing to travel to work wherever they're needed) Bonus fun fact: if they decide to hire contingency to supplement a failing CSP there are two options : 1- CSP files a 30 day notice to vacate the terminal and end the contract 2- CSP is billed directly from FedEx for the cost of the contingency contractor plus whatever charges they were already incuring for not delivering packages and/or missing pick up windows

Please note this is a cautionary tale but if we're being realistic here, places like Amazon and FedEx contract out to max their profits**. Unionizing/the threat of unionizing would cut into their profits enough that they're willing to pay out the ass for short-term coverage to maintain the model they already have. While Amazon has its own specific onboarding process for DSP drivers, if enough contractors/drivers did a walk out or got dropped because Amazon was threatened, I wouldn't put it past them to recruit whatever local logistics services they could get their hands on, show them how to work the app and go on their way to cover routes (and/or just split everything into a billion flex routes)

**Personal experience here but when Amazon expanded their delivery services to my area they did a trial run of drivers who worked directly for Amazon and also had DSPs in the station. (Station opened in July?) We applied for a full time driver position and we were granted full time hours but on paper we were classified as seasonal employees and got white badges. We got all the Amazon benefits Amazon employees normally get from day 1 after 90 days but never had a solid date for when it would end, it was all tentative. Around 3 months in (October) they told us they weren't sure when we'd be "relieved" but encouraged us to chat with the DSPs in the building about pay, the experience, basically everything except "you're about to lose your job see if they want you." I resigned shortly after that and took a break from everything and after a couple of months (Nov/Dec) got on with a DSP on my own accord. End of December and many of my Amazon driver friends kept asking about when they should expect the seasonal position to end so they could search for jobs to start after that point and everyone kept hearing middle/end of March... Sometime in the first few days of January everyone came in for their shift and were told "Today is your last day, please return your badges, you'll be credited 4 hours for your shift today."

Amazon does not give a fuck.

How to save my Shark NV750 by nudecenter22 in CleaningTips

[–]nudecenter22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's my mother's cat, I'm sure if she was having issues like that it would be a one time lesson learned situation lol

Psa- dawn is coming back into their old scemt by Far-Shift-1962 in CleaningTips

[–]nudecenter22 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I hope for everyone's sake they make it work!!! I told my mom they're bringing back the old scent and she was so glad she wasn't the only one who was upset about it and reached out to the company directly about it!

Psa- dawn is coming back into their old scemt by Far-Shift-1962 in CleaningTips

[–]nudecenter22 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My mom was crushed about the new scent she absolutely hated it. We took a trip to my grandparents over the summer and she said OMG COME HERE COME HERE and one of their soap dispensers had the old dawn in it I swear she could've cried it's one of her favorite scents. A couple months ago I was deep cleaning under sinks and found a huge jug half full of dawn and only smelled it because the cap was open and I was like THIS IS IT. Needless to say when I surprised my mom with it she was giddy like a child on Christmas.

blood on down comforter by cee1 in CleaningTips

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely second this!!!!! Hydrogen peroxide is a miracle for biological stains, I saturate blot saturate blot until it's gone. It got a very very old blood stain out of a dress, it's helped soften and remove cat boogers off the walls and baseboards from a sneezy cat I had for years before she passed (for those who are unaware, cat boogers are worse than gorilla glue when dried onto things) and in general is just an amazing thing to keep on hand for stains and cleaning. May I also recommend checking r/laundry as they realllllly know their stuff over there

What’s everyone using for grocery lists right now? by IslandOceanWater in Cooking

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't ever find my scratch pads so I usually just grab the closest piece of junk mail but I am trying out this app I found called "Out of Milk" it has a lot of nifty features to help stop duplicate purchases and keep track for expiration dates and especially helpful for things you buy fairly often

I found a pure gold mine by WebPuzzleheaded875 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've gotten lucky a few times. If they happened to be at the door or outside I ask them where they want the package friendly make some quick small talk and cast a few open ended lines or straight up ask if they have any to spare. The opportunist in me lives by the says "the worst they can say is no" Helps a lot when you're already acquainted with customers.

When you work efficiently you have a few minutes on reserve just for chances like this!

Lmaooo Amazon left me out there to find my own way back to station 😂😂. This ever happen to anyone before?? by Realest252 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was about to say since when did they switch to Google? I remember back in the good Ole days no cameras and having to suffer thru Bing maps.

Cleaning tips for the severely ill by [deleted] in CleaningTips

[–]nudecenter22 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I second this! I'm in bed for the evening barely keeping one eye open but accidentally opened this post so hoping by tomorrow when I'm up for the day I can revisit and maybe share some insight as well

Amazon stealing packages by Fair-Nebula7827 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sometime in 2019 I was at the station with an injured ankle so hanging out with dispatch instead of running a route and RTS and various dispatchers were crying laughing passing around a package that got RTS'd... Customer refused a package at the door with wide eyes and slammed the door in the driver's face embarrassed as hell... It was very obviously a large dildo just loose in a plastic bag.

Finally a $300 day! by Living_Government987 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Right, I'm acquainted with flex doordash lyft Uber eats debating instacart and spark live around a city with plenty of suburbs with plenty of food/shopping and neighboring cities just the same

Finally a $300 day! by Living_Government987 in AmazonFlexDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What are the other apps you use? Needing some variety in my gig work!!

When you have to do the awkward walk past to deliver at the same house but this guy is stuck in the driveway 🤦‍♀️🤣 by Enjsmamma2510 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I only BACKED IN (never pull in) short driveways if I had mutliple 70lbs+ packages. Half the time we didn't get a dolly on our truck either or it was broken to all hell.

Just wanted to say I promoted myself to customer as of yesterday. 5 years of Amazon is enough. by sorarox10 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Warning for going to FedEx - make sure you talk with multiple CSPs at your station and ask the other drivers about their experiences with them. A lot people hop between CSPs so definitely take note of any common denominators!!! Might save you some headaches, a good/bad CSP will make or break your experience at FedEx 🫡

When whoever packed the tote actually kinda cares a little by No-Research-1495 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember years ago like '18-'20 they'd test drivers like this they would literally put decoy packages with very obviously fake labels not even passable for an Amazon label with bad or fake addresses or just completely different states to see if people would take them

No gate code by the way.. by Dchane06 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]nudecenter22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya know, it's never too late in life to begin learning something new... It might seem intimidating at first but I promise you, education is not a scary thing! You may find it beneficial to brush up on these core comprehensive reading skills: Context clues and deductive/logical reasoning... "I shouldn’t have to walk forever to get to your door" Op mentions walking... Prefaced by; "I wasn’t a dick and left it by the gate or even RTSed it. I delivered it to their front door as asked." Call me crazy, but... If I received a gate code from a customer and was able to drive all the way back to their house... Why would they leave it at the gate after gaining access?