Career as courier?
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Career as courier?
I'm sure many of you have been drawn towards the glamorous lifestyle of the bicycle couriers of NY, I'm wondering if you've ever wondered about pursuing a career as a bike messenger, or perhaps even worked as one?
Personally I find myself kind of at a loss right now in life, which is why I think I'm drawn towards these kinds of things.. The thrill, the excitement! I'm sure I won't act on it anyway since I have so many internal struggles in all different directions, but that's besides the point.
btw I've never ridden a fixie, but I would like to someday
Personally I find myself kind of at a loss right now in life, which is why I think I'm drawn towards these kinds of things.. The thrill, the excitement! I'm sure I won't act on it anyway since I have so many internal struggles in all different directions, but that's besides the point.
btw I've never ridden a fixie, but I would like to someday
#2
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I don't think anybody will call it glamorous or a career. You work very hard for very little. They don't all ride fixed gears either. Welcome to 2015
#4
Fresh Garbage
I thought they were cool too when I was 18. And I could have bought a MotoMess off that other tall dude that used to be a regular here.
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I worked in Toronto as a courier for a short time in the late '90s. Perhaps a few years before that there was good money to be made, but by the time I was doing it, fax machines had seriously taken a bite out of the business and email and other internet based delivery systems were seriously ramping up. The things I delivered 15-16 years ago would almost all be done through digital file transfers now.
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We get a lot of worn out messenger applying at my place of work.
Basically you make dirt money working working **** hours but do it cause you like it. Same as any career in bicycles.
Basically you make dirt money working working **** hours but do it cause you like it. Same as any career in bicycles.
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A buddy and I seriously considering starting a courier service here, but I just don't know how well it would do. There is a university here, the capital of the state, several law offices and professional buildings. I just don't know if there is a need for that type of service in this small ass town. It would be great to give it a shot, but we have no idea where to start and cannot imagine that there is any money to be made doing this.
Agree with the Premium Rush comment. OP, you just watch it?
Agree with the Premium Rush comment. OP, you just watch it?
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Now a days the only stuff that cant be digitally sent are really what? legal documents and blueprints (which can be sent digital most of the time but not always). I might be missing a few. But even then that only matters if they need it then and not tomorrow. Might not be a bad idea for the school to get a rack and do food and beer and groceries and things. I knew a group of kids that did that through college made decent money but they mainly worked evenings and nights, so they didnt have a big social life outside of that group, which they liked it that way.
As far as career sure, if you dont mind not making jack for money really. Couriers do it because they get to ride all day everyday, thats it. I still want to know how Kevin Bacon afforded that bangin apartment in Quicksilver? Watch Pedal the documentary, they were talking to a messenger who was commenting on the fact that its not uncommon for messengers to end up homeless and such. Dont know how many but I wouldn't be surprised.
As far as career sure, if you dont mind not making jack for money really. Couriers do it because they get to ride all day everyday, thats it. I still want to know how Kevin Bacon afforded that bangin apartment in Quicksilver? Watch Pedal the documentary, they were talking to a messenger who was commenting on the fact that its not uncommon for messengers to end up homeless and such. Dont know how many but I wouldn't be surprised.
Last edited by gmm213; 04-01-15 at 03:14 AM.
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As far as career sure, if you dont mind not making jack for money really. Couriers do it because they get to ride all day everyday, thats it. I still want to know how Kevin Bacon afforded that bangin apartment in Quicksilver? Watch Pedal the documentary, they were talking to a messenger who was commenting on the fact that its not uncommon for messengers to end up homeless and such. Dont know how many but I wouldn't be surprised.
The problem with the messenger scene, aside fromt he piss poor money, is that it is a job where people with personal problems (eg. addictions) can find work, and so homelessness doesn't surprise me, but couriering is not the cause, but another symptom of the same problem.
My advice for the OP is: If you can find a position with a good company (a lot of couriers felt like their company was always screwing them over), and you have nobody depending on you to provide a big house and food better than mac & cheese, then do whatever you want... be a bike courier, be a street musician, weave your hair into interesting wigs and sell them on ebay... whatever... but know that you will most likely have to move on to a more stable job some time in the future.
#13
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Buddy still works as a courier in Boston PT while he goes to school. Great PT gig, not so great FT gig. Only people making decent money at it ride nights and avoid cops, very not legit jobs...
But regarding the OP, if it's something you want to check out and your life would be lesser for not having done so, go for it. You don't want to be at end of life thinking, what if...?
But regarding the OP, if it's something you want to check out and your life would be lesser for not having done so, go for it. You don't want to be at end of life thinking, what if...?
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Maybe it's just one of those dying professions...
And no I didn't see premium rush I saw pedal, the one with drug addicts and outcasts
And no I didn't see premium rush I saw pedal, the one with drug addicts and outcasts
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Don't do it. You'll end up in back taxes hell.
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I don't know about that.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profession
I mean, if you know what you are doing, can do yer own taxes and keep yer books, sure it's a profession.
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Still haven't gotten around to watching Quicksilver,but I can recommend this as an interesting read:
The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power: Travis Hugh Culley: 9780375760242: Amazon.com: Books
The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power: Travis Hugh Culley: 9780375760242: Amazon.com: Books
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