I would like to become a courier. I don’t mind travel, even on short notice. I’m perfectly happy jumping off to weird foreign places and filling out complex paperwork along the way. I speak a couple foreign languages passably and have experience with more.
But what does this job pay? I understand it’s sometimes case-by-case, not salary, but what are we talking? If I did it, where should I live/work? How can I get a job like that?
People still use casual couriers?
I thought the combined efforts of the fax machine, email and FedEx had almost completely obliterated that profession.
I believe they are still used for transporting goods as in some cases a plane ticket plus free luggage allowance is cheaper than just sending unaccopanied cargo, although I can’t imagine why this is the case.
There is an association called Messenger Courier Association of America. They seem to cover the entire express logistics industry including bulk cargo, but they also do national and international same-day delivery of messages and small parcels by individual couriers, at least that’s what I conclude from their website. Maybe one of the companies on their list of members can help you with your plans.
Well, the basic reasons are speed and reliability. Especially in larger cities, you sometimes need people to get things there NOW. Or at least, today. The Post Office and even FedEx doesn’t do that. Law offices sometimes employ them to absolutely make sure the papers get to a specific location by 4:30 pm (or whenever the courthouse closes). Companies may want to be absolutely sure that a particular package is treated well and not tossed around; losing one prototype or not getting a key peice of equipment in the right place at the right can be very bad. IIRC, banks and so forth may have people accompany certain shipments, and some companies may send things aboard passenger air service. Fruit companies sometimes do this from Hawaii, I’m told. They might want someone watching their produce along the way.
I used to work for a payroll company. We had a company that would come to our print office and take payrolls to the client, same day delivery, most of them with just a few hours turnaround.
I’ve thougth something like that on a large scale would be cool…
“I need this package delivered to our client in London right now!”
me: grabs go-bag and package, and heads for airport.
go bag has vaccination records, passport, change of clothes, and insurance paperwork. Plus a company card that I use to buy “flying right now” tickets.