Couriers are messengers who pick up and deliver letters, documents and
packages to clients. Often, they carry documents that need to be transferred
in a hurry in a local area. Or they carry documents that people don't want
to put in the hands of the regular mail, such as legal and financial letters
and medical samples.
Couriers usually deliver messages on foot, by bicycle or in a motor vehicle.
After each delivery, they contact the main office by telephone or by two-way
radio to find out where to pick up the next message.
Couriers generally work for messenger and courier companies. But some work
for large law offices, financial institutions, local and long-distance trucking
companies and hospitals and medical offices.
Bank messengers pick up and deliver checks, securities and financial statements.
Couriers who work for government offices deliver incoming and outgoing mail
and office communications. They may also be responsible for maintaining and
delivering office supplies and doing other odd jobs.
Most messengers work full time during regular office hours. However, for
customer convenience, some couriers work nights and weekends.
Bicycle and foot couriers need to be in excellent physical condition. They
are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions and traffic hazards in congested
downtown areas. Pressure to make as many deliveries as possible in a short
period of time can make the work stressful.
Couriers can work as company employees. Or they can be independent contractors,
which means they don't receive any health benefits or sick days from employers.
They can earn an hourly wage or commission. Occasionally, they receive tips
from customers.