N/A Anyone drive for Amazon DSP?

jordane93

jordane93

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Good? Bad? Will I cry myself to sleep every night? There’s an opening for a DSP driver like 5 minutes away from me.
 
No clue, but you probably won't cry yourself to sleep every night unless you hate the other drivers on the road. ;)
 
I don't know what DSP means....but if you are talking the amazon deliveries.... most of those folks I see are running form the truck to the door and back. My guess is you'll be sleeping before you hit the pillow....no time to cry.
 
Brad W said:
I don't know what DSP means....but if you are talking the amazon deliveries.... most of those folks I see are running form the truck to the door and back. My guess is you'll be sleeping before you hit the pillow....no time to cry.
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Delivery service partner. Basically a contractor for Amazon so I wouldn’t actually be working for Amazon or get amazon benefits.
 
DSP is what Amazon went to so they could avoid paying their own delivery drivers more. To start it, they converted employees to contractors, so initially it was the same drivers. But over time they lowered the pay and increased competition to the point that nobody is making much money.

as long as you are not obligated, give it a try. Be careful to track your pay and vehicle maintenance. My sense is that like pizza delivery, they really don’t pay you for wearing your vehicle out.
 
jordane93 said:
Good? Bad? Will I cry myself to sleep every night? There’s an opening for a DSP driver like 5 minutes away from me.
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I’m guessing this would just be temporary with the Delta hiatus?

My brother is currently helping run the Amazon distribution center in New Castle, DE. He started there as a driver 2 1/2 years ago @ $20/hr before the DSP model was introduced. He worked up to 12 hour days 4 days/week, and about 60 hours/week during Christmas season. You’re on a tight delivery schedule with X amount of deliveries required per hour. Yes, he was exhausted after those days, but he didn’t complain (he also liked the overtime!)

After about 8 months as a driver (with excellent performance) they moved him into management, and he now oversees the overnight shift. He makes decent money and loves it, but it’s not for everyone.

Funny story he told me when he was driving:
Everything is recorded (front/back/inside cameras and audio) and is scored on a performance scale by a computer algorithm. His score was consistently coming up poor in the “excessive talk” category (it does take into consideration business related cell phone activity). He was just listening to sports talk radio everyday, lol.

I’m sorry this doesn’t help much with your original question about DSPs, however, I’m thinking their driving SOPs may be similar.

Best of luck!
 
If you're driving your own car you have to consider the additional maintenance and depreciation costs that you are incurring. I doubt most Uber, Amazon, Pizza, etc. drivers do. They look at income minus gasoline and think they're good.

If you're self-employed (1099), you're also paying the full payroll taxes (double what would be an a W2 employee's check) and providing your own benefits.

These types of jobs are good for raising quick cash but you have to consider what it will cost down the road.

You might be better off working in the Amazon warehouse as an employee.
 
BrianP said:
I’m guessing this would just be temporary with the Delta hiatus?

My brother is currently helping run the Amazon distribution center in New Castle, DE. He started there as a driver 2 1/2 years ago @ $20/hr before the DSP model was introduced. He worked up to 12 hour days 4 days/week, and about 60 hours/week during Christmas season. You’re on a tight delivery schedule with X amount of deliveries required per hour. Yes, he was exhausted after those days, but he didn’t complain (he also liked the overtime!)

After about 8 months as a driver (with excellent performance) they moved him into management, and he now oversees the overnight shift. He makes decent money and loves it, but it’s not for everyone.

Funny story he told me when he was driving:
Everything is recorded (front/back/inside cameras and audio) and is scored on a performance scale by a computer algorithm. His score was consistently coming up poor in the “excessive talk” category (it does take into consideration business related cell phone activity). He was just listening to sports talk radio everyday, lol.

I’m sorry this doesn’t help much with your original question about DSPs, however, I’m thinking their driving SOPs may be similar.

Best of luck!
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Thanks for all the info! Yea just from what I’m reading, it’s long days but I’d be doing it temporarily. I’ve read every DSP is different. Like you can work for a really good one or a really shady one. The job I saw was offering $17/hr which isn’t terrible.
 
Larry in TN said:
If you're driving your own car you have to consider the additional maintenance and depreciation costs that you are incurring. I doubt most Uber, Amazon, Pizza, etc. drivers do. They look at income minus gasoline and think they're good.

If you're self-employed (1099), you're also paying the full payroll taxes (double what would be an a W2 employee's check) and providing your own benefits.

These types of jobs are good for raising quick cash but you have to consider what it will cost down the road.

You might be better off working in the Amazon warehouse as an employee.
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I won’t be doing the flex driving. My 2003 Taurus would not be able to handle it! The DSP provide the vans. I’m leaning towards driving instead of working the warehouse because it seems like there would be less lifting and physical labor involved
 
jordane93 said:
I’m leaning towards driving instead of working the warehouse because it seems like there would be less lifting and physical labor involved
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You might want to rethink that. Amazon warehouse processes are designed specifically to reduce the amount of movement by the operator. Having people lifting heavy stuff from the bottom of a shelf is not efficient. Having the heavy stuff close to the packing area and on a shelf high enough that it is an easy transfer onto the pick cart is much more efficient. Sure you have to move stuff from a shelf onto a cart (or table depending on that particular warehouse has GtP technology in place), but you're not going to be lugging that same box up a steep driveway and up a flight of stairs to drop it on someones welcome mat. OTOH, the warehouse folks don't get the 'rest' time while driving from A to B. Each has pros and cons - but don't be thinking you won't be schlubing heavy packages around as a driver. -Signed former part-time UPS delivery driver AND someone that has ordered heavy stuff from Amazon. :)
 
CJones said:
You might want to rethink that. Amazon warehouse processes are designed specifically to reduce the amount of movement by the operator. Having people lifting heavy stuff from the bottom of a shelf is not efficient. Having the heavy stuff close to the packing area and on a shelf high enough that it is an easy transfer onto the pick cart is much more efficient. Sure you have to move stuff from a shelf onto a cart (or table depending on that particular warehouse has GtP technology in place), but you're not going to be lugging that same box up a steep driveway and up a flight of stairs to drop it on someones welcome mat. OTOH, the warehouse folks don't get the 'rest' time while driving from A to B. Each has pros and cons - but don't be thinking you won't be schlubing heavy packages around as a driver. -Signed former part-time UPS delivery driver AND someone that has ordered heavy stuff from Amazon. :)
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I ordered 130’ of 5/8 anchor chain via Amazon. The delivery guy still won’t speak to me after lugging it to my front door. o_O :eek:
 
Also remember, the warehouse is climate controlled. The delivery vehicle only keeps you sheltered from the pouring rain or 110F temps when you're inside the vehicle. You'll spend a bunch of your time outside.
 
SoonerAviator said:
Also remember, the warehouse is climate controlled. The delivery vehicle only keeps you sheltered from the pouring rain or 110F temps when you're inside the vehicle. You'll spend a bunch of your time outside.
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If Long Island sees 110F temps everyone would probably perish. I was in the city once when it was 95 and the news outlets were acting like the end of the world was happening. They had a IR thermometer and were going around a children's playground and checking temps. They said the slide is 140° and be to be careful. I think that same slide here in AZ would be 3,000° and we dont bat an eye. I also don't see any kids out at the slide in the 115 temps either though.
 
NJP_MAN said:
If Long Island sees 110F temps everyone would probably perish. I was in the city once when it was 95 and the news outlets were acting like the end of the world was happening. They had a IR thermometer and were going around a children's playground and checking temps. They said the slide is 140° and be to be careful. I think that same slide here in AZ would be 3,000° and we dont bat an eye. I also don't see any kids out at the slide in the 115 temps either though.
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Goofy, isn't it?! Reminds me of the day a "polar vortex" was going through California a few years back - the news people were telling everyone to put on winter coats and gloves, etc., so they wouldn't get too cold in the 40F temps. Meanwhile, at my house in MN, it was below zero and the front door and the windows were open because supper bubbled over in the oven and the smoke alarms were going off!

A climate-controlled workplace is really nice. When the a/c at work went out a few weeks ago, even the low-80s temp in the room was pretty miserable, though I suppose the van would probably have a/c so that might not be such a big deal.

Another consideration is whether you have knee-high leg protection. Lots of dogs hate delivery drivers...
 
NJP_MAN said:
If Long Island sees 110F temps everyone would probably perish. I was in the city once when it was 95 and the news outlets were acting like the end of the world was happening. They had a IR thermometer and were going around a children's playground and checking temps. They said the slide is 140° and be to be careful. I think that same slide here in AZ would be 3,000° and we dont bat an eye. I also don't see any kids out at the slide in the 115 temps either though.
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Works every time...



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jordane93 said:
Delivery service partner. Basically a contractor for Amazon so I wouldn’t actually be working for Amazon or get amazon benefits.
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As someone who works in trucking I can tell you there are very good reasons that companies decide to use owner operators instead of hiring company drivers to drive company owned vehicles. And almost none of those reasons benefit the owner operator.

Couple that with Amazon's already stellar reputation for treatment of low level boots on the ground associates and I would not touch it with a 10' pole.
 
I never seem to see the same Amazon driver twice, unlike the UPS and FedEx guy. I would imagine it being very difficult to get comfortable if you are always having to deliver in a different area.
 
Definitely doesn’t sound like a job that can be done long term but I’m wondering if I’ll be able to do it for 1-2. I think I’d still prefer it over a warehouse job.
 
jordane93 said:
Definitely doesn’t sound like a job that can be done long term but I’m wondering if I’ll be able to do it for 1-2. I think I’d still prefer it over a warehouse job.
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Some of the amazon drivers seem to be having fun. I would much prefer it over a warehouse job.
 
jordane93 said:
Definitely doesn’t sound like a job that can be done long term but I’m wondering if I’ll be able to do it for 1-2. I think I’d still prefer it over a warehouse job.
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So are you going to buy a truck or is this a gig working for a schmuck who already bought a truck?
 
Juliet Hotel said:
So are you going to buy a truck or is this a gig working for a schmuck who already bought a truck?
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jordane93 said:
I won’t be doing the flex driving. My 2003 Taurus would not be able to handle it! The DSP provide the vans. I’m leaning towards driving instead of working the warehouse because it seems like there would be less lifting and physical labor involved
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How is Amazon allowed to consider you a contractor when you're solely driving for them?
 
jordane93 said:
The company provides the vans
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But from what you're describing, that company is not amazon, its a contractor for Amazon.

Will the company be paying you as an employee (W2) or as a contractor (1099)?
 
I can't speak to driving for Amazon, but your time off might be better spent trying to find ways to utilize your economics degree. I'd imagine it'd be an entry level position, but it might be something you can put on a resumé and towards a better job in that industry down the line. You may someday be in a situation (with a family, etc) where it's gonna take a lot more than $17/hr to pay your bills, and if there's a way you can build a non-flying skillset or portfolio of work that'd enable something more substantial than an entry level job, now would be a great time to do it.
 
Juliet Hotel said:
But from what you're describing, that company is not amazon, its a contractor for Amazon.

Will the company be paying you as an employee (W2) or as a contractor (1099)?
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Not sure. The job listing is very vague.
 
kayoh190 said:
I can't speak to driving for Amazon, but your time off might be better spent trying to find ways to utilize your economics degree. I'd imagine it'd be an entry level position, but it might be something you can put on a resumé and towards a better job in that industry down the line. You may someday be in a situation (with a family, etc) where it's gonna take a lot more than $17/hr to pay your bills, and if there's a way you can build a non-flying skillset or portfolio of work that'd enable something more substantial than an entry level job, now would be a great time to do it.
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I regret not doing an internship in college. All the jobs I’ve looked at require some sort of experience. The only one that’s close to my field is a bank teller.
 
jordane93 said:
I regret not doing an internship in college. All the jobs I’ve looked at require some sort of experience. The only one that’s close to my field is a bank teller.
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Hmmm - the old chicken and the egg problem. I have some professional programming experience prior to flying, but my skills are so out of date that it likely won't help me if looking for a job. I'm actively trying to refresh some of those skills now, but I'm starting to realize that writing code is a young person's game - everyone in tech at my age is managing in some capacity. Bah - lemme know how the driving works out, I might need you to put in a good word for me! :)
 
jordane93 said:
he only one that’s close to my field is a bank teller.
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Think about that for a second. You will have your hands on more cash that you can ever hope to make in flying..... and you do like to travel to distant, exotic hideouts locations....

Just sayin'....;)
 
Juliet Hotel said:
As someone who works in trucking I can tell you there are very good reasons that companies decide to use owner operators instead of hiring company drivers to drive company owned vehicles. And almost none of those reasons benefit the owner operator.
Click to expand...

And yet, most company drivers think they want to be owner operators, and the owner operators want to stay owner operators. Sometimes it's just so they can take their dog with them.

I looked at the economics of it once, and what they paid owner operators wouldn't even be enough to pay myself what I was making as a company driver and put fuel in the tank. But, there's enough "poorly educated" people out there who'll fall for "being your own boss" (hah!) that there's never a shortage of them to fill in.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
I looked at the economics of it once, and what they paid owner operators wouldn't even be enough to pay myself what I was making as a company driver and put fuel in the tank. But, there's enough "poorly educated" people out there who'll fall for "being your own boss" (hah!) that there's never a shortage of them to fill in.
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Uber has done a great job taking advantage of that fact.
 
With your degree, I'd start shotgunning my resume for any job that you're even close to be qualified for. You're a freeking Delta pilot, you shouldn't be delivering packages for Amazon! Even if on paper you're under qualified, they may see your experience and give you a shot. Can't hurt to try.
 
While I agree that the OP is vastly overqualified to be a delivery driver, I assume he would very much like to get back in the cockpit ASAP, which hopefully is going to happen within the next 6 months to a year. Not a lot of places going to go to the expense of hiring someone with that short of a time frame.

*disclaimer.... I'm self employed and haven't had a "real job" in 10 years, so what do I know?
 
I applied to my first flying job today. From what I’m hearing from other pilots, no 135 is touching us since we’ll leave the second Delta calls back. Beggars can’t be choosers. I’m lucky that I can grind out a $15-20/hr job and not have to worry about a mortgage or providing for anyone else. I’m willing to work anything to hold me over for a year or 2.
 
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