If you want to make more money you have to plan ahead. I grow tired of hearing drivers with an eight hour shift complaining that Amazon doesn’t even give them a lunch break…Especially after I spent an hour just trying to pick up a two hour shift.
I have written a lot about how to become an Amazon Flex driver and how to get more blocks once you become one. So now I am going to focus this short series on how you can be a better Amazon Flex driver and earn more money.
When you leave your house to work a block, plan on being gone for a while. I know the cool thing about being an independent contractor is working whenever you want, but in this case, plan like you are going to work the entire day. What I mean is that even if you only have a two hour shift, plan for the possibility of having a four, eight or twelve hour shift. Why? Because as we already know, you can link shifts and continue to work and continue to make money.
Bring food and water. It’s that simple. Pack a cooler with anything you’ll need to be happy and keep delivering. Water is key, but any other hydrating drink will do. I’ve driven 120 miles during an eight hour shift. I was very glad that I had some water to sip on in the traffic and heat of summer. If you need some caffeine to keep your spirits up, pack it.
Next is food. Snack items are best like nuts and fruits. Dried fruits are very good for you and easy to travel with. Fresh fruits like apples, bananas and oranges work, too. Sandwiches are also easy to pack and eat while driving or while waiting for your next route. There will be down time. Capitalize on it.
Don’t be a complainer. Be a prepared and ready to work as long as you can. Keep yourself hydrated and mentally prepared with some good food and drink. The shifts are waiting for you. Don’t give them away because you weren’t prepared!
I’ve driven 260 miles during 8 hour shift.
Wow! Was it for Prime so you at least had the chance to earn tips?
Ok you need to really think about that one. The government allows $0.55 per mile to cover vehicle expenses -gas, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, etc. – so you would have been provided $143 from a company that pays mileage for driving your vehicle 260 miles for work. With flex you don’t get any reimbursement for that. Keep that in mind when you calculate how much you are making from flex. You should keep a mileage log so that when its time to do your income taxes you can deduct those vehicle expenses !
I got hired in at the Michigan branch. The add’s were very misleading. You will be delivering .Com packages. NO TIPS! Security acts like they have better things to do and are extremely rude. They have that $9 an hour superiority complex going! You have to drive up to bay doors. Load outside. I have know clue what they will do when the Michigan Winter hits.
The one plus could be that during the winter there will be plenty of shifts available either because other drivers don’t want drive in the weather or they have to overstaff to make sure they are covered during peak times and bad roads. Shame to hear about some of the security employees. At my warehouse they are are very mellow and even help at times.
You are exactly right. Winter (with snow) you always make more money because most people stay indoors. Most courier companies beg you to work. Amazon will find this out quickly. I always work during winter/ snow days. First most companies will look at you favorably when doing so. Second, usually early April to mid May, driver routes decease rapidly. This is why a lot of people who first started signing up with Amazon, during these times, couldn’t find routes/ block.
Kodjo, thanks for commenting. Our thought processes are very similar! Bad weather always brings up extra blocks for the taking due to drivers cancelling. As long as you’re not risking your own safety there is definitely money to be made.