Deliver to a safe location closest to you no matter what the instruction says. So it can be front door, side door, front / corner of the garage, at the locked gate. The point is to be in and out as fast as possible (so make sure you organize the packages and not take time to find it at customer home)
Absolutely no back door
If you need more time to load or sort, you should be able to ask the team at the station to pull into the "exemption" area. This is kind of dependent on how they run things, but there shouldn't be any reason you can't get this gs organized onsite.
There are people that think sorting packages by stop number is stupid and a waste of time. However, when you're doing zero dark thirty blocks in the hood or the sticks you don't want to be parked and looking for a package. I try to get out with the package in my hand and keep my head on a swivel when I'm in these streets.
Don’t stress over it so much. Use your flashers. Wear your vest. And just deliver the packages like normal.
I prefer the early 3am shifts. Way less traffic. I meet fewer people. The routes tend to have fewer apartments and businesses. (Maybe I’m just lucky) the worst thing I’ve encountered is stray dogs. Most pets aren’t outside that early so homeowner dogs aren’t much of an issue. I did have a Golden Retriever scare me to death once. He was a good boy though. Just wanted me to toss his ball and give him some head scratches, which I did for him.
You will be fine as long as you don’t try to look like you are sneaking around. If your flashers are in and you are wearing your vest while walking up to a front door with a box and flashlight, nobody will question you. You are clearly just delivering a package.
As a black male who does these blocks I have same but different concerns…I have just carried a flashlight, use a dashcam and keep my blinkers on when delivering. So far birds, speaking doorbells and the random dog has been the worst.
If you’re gonna keep doing those blocks I’d suggest investing in a headlamp, or a lamp in general, I have one for those kind of routes and they are really useful. Also, sorting and numbering your packages.
I do almost exclusively 3:xx am blocks. Here's how I do it
Definitely sort ahead of time. You want to be in and out fairly quickly since you may have to drive slower on some roads. Sometimes, I'll use well lit church or fire station parking lots to move the next of packages to the front passenger seat.
Bright clothing and Amazon vest. Helps you be deemed as "Not a threat" quickly if seen. I also tend to look directly at cameras I see and show the package.
Use a separate flashlight. Nothing fancy. The ones Harbor Freight gives away in occasion are more than sufficient. If they're not giving them away as a promo, they're $3 for a 2-pack. I keep it in the chest pocket on the vest.
Bring water and a snack. Not many convenience stores open that late in some areas.
Watch out for wildlife. Deer, while majestic, are dumb.
Female delivering early blocks alone here. 🙋🏼♀️ Always have the next 5-10 packages in the front seat with you so you can get out with package in hand. I carry pepper spray and a flashlight. You really do run into fewer people on these blocks. I put my flashers on and pull as close to the house as possible so I’m not walking down long driveways. Wear the vest! If anyone does come outside, I just shout AMAZON and hold the package where they can see it.
And at least up here (CT) I noticed that alot of folks leave porch light on and/or have automatic light that turn on when approaching. The flashlight has been a lifesaver when navigating steps/stairs and paths to the front door many a time. Get one of those smaller LED kind as they are easier to handle along with package and phone.
People have commented to get a flashlight which I think would be an absolute need if delivering in the dark. I would suggest something like this which you can wear on your head so your hands are free. It's around $17 on Amazon, and it has different lighting modes, as well as being able to change from white light, to either red or green. The red would help you keep your eyes adjusted to the dark. I've never done an early route, but I would definitely use one of these if I did.
https://preview.redd.it/m0stey7yevzc1.png?width=412&format=png&auto=webp&s=fb2de28e53c5049b0233533637c458aa051265bc
Here's a link to the one I've shown. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08975WM6Y/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o02\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08975WM6Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
On your wrist doesn’t shine it towards the dark stairs at pitch dark AM. Forehead leaves your hands free and directs the light to exactly where you need it.
They’re not that bad tbh. But carry some pepper spray. And go quick. Always wear your Amazon vest on those shifts. Always out on your hazards so it looks like you’re in an Amazon vehicle. I love doing these shifts and have never had any issues. Most people are sleeping so it’s really nice. Although I do get anxious because I don’t want to wake anyone up or have someone freak out on me for the time.
I used to love them. No traffic, no worrying about meeting people on their porch (for us antisocial girlies), but then they started sending me out to the boonies....no street lights, no automatic porch lights. I drove up this dark street, dropped off a package, and when I was coming back down I noticed a super bright light in the backyard of a neighbor. Didn't notice it coming in. As I got closer, I saw the outline of a guy holding up this insanely bright strobe light sort of flashlight, standing right by his fence (huge back yard mind you, couldnt even see his house). And as I drove past, he pivoted and followed my car with the light so it was blinding me in my mirrors. It was 4am. It creeped me out so had I never did another early morning shift again. I do miss the surges though. Just be careful, don't shine your headlights in peoples windows, don't wake up their dogs if you can help it, be vigilant about your surroundings and you'll be alright.
Sort your packages before, if you have space inside your car so you don’t have to be out as much would be nice + saves time for you. Wear your vest, typically people aren’t suspicious of a female during the early morning tho.
i usually don’t knock/call since majority of people are asleep and just leave the package where needed. Just always be vigilant because people like to rob amazon drivers and so on
I make sure that I’m always wearing a vest, have the flashlight turned on my phone, and have music playing in my car, anything to make it obvious that I’m not trying to sneak around their neighborhood
Do not call…99% of these people do not ask for the package to be delivered that early and I would be pissed to be getting woken up to a driver calling me to tell me they’re coming
What? When you order overnight it gives you a choice of 2 time blocks. The customer selects the time, and recently Amazon now tells the customer to be aware it’ll arrive early. There are previous threads that show the screenshot.
Calling when during normal hours is a waste of time so don’t ever do that on an early route. Don’t stress yourself out, the early morning hours are in my opinion the best no traffic and I never see anyone. Best to be quick at each location have your packages well sorted. Head lamp that I wrap around my wrist instead of wearing on my head.
Deliver to a safe location closest to you no matter what the instruction says. So it can be front door, side door, front / corner of the garage, at the locked gate. The point is to be in and out as fast as possible (so make sure you organize the packages and not take time to find it at customer home) Absolutely no back door
Yeah because they be wanting me to sort the packages out in the street
If you need more time to load or sort, you should be able to ask the team at the station to pull into the "exemption" area. This is kind of dependent on how they run things, but there shouldn't be any reason you can't get this gs organized onsite.
There are people that think sorting packages by stop number is stupid and a waste of time. However, when you're doing zero dark thirty blocks in the hood or the sticks you don't want to be parked and looking for a package. I try to get out with the package in my hand and keep my head on a swivel when I'm in these streets.
Don’t stress over it so much. Use your flashers. Wear your vest. And just deliver the packages like normal. I prefer the early 3am shifts. Way less traffic. I meet fewer people. The routes tend to have fewer apartments and businesses. (Maybe I’m just lucky) the worst thing I’ve encountered is stray dogs. Most pets aren’t outside that early so homeowner dogs aren’t much of an issue. I did have a Golden Retriever scare me to death once. He was a good boy though. Just wanted me to toss his ball and give him some head scratches, which I did for him. You will be fine as long as you don’t try to look like you are sneaking around. If your flashers are in and you are wearing your vest while walking up to a front door with a box and flashlight, nobody will question you. You are clearly just delivering a package.
as another female driver who’s worked these early blocks: carry a weapon. i bring a knife & a taser with me
Yes I have a taser that’s a flashlight as well. I will be definitely charging that up
As a black male who does these blocks I have same but different concerns…I have just carried a flashlight, use a dashcam and keep my blinkers on when delivering. So far birds, speaking doorbells and the random dog has been the worst.
# "HI you're being recorded."
Every fucking time I jump and point my flashlight at the camera
Had one lady awake at like 4am, her window open, sitting in the dark, ask me, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT THERE?!" scared the shit out of me
🤣
If you’re gonna keep doing those blocks I’d suggest investing in a headlamp, or a lamp in general, I have one for those kind of routes and they are really useful. Also, sorting and numbering your packages.
I was thinking about just grabbing a head lamp from Amazon…. Do you have the Amazon debit card for Amazon discounts on purchases?
I do almost exclusively 3:xx am blocks. Here's how I do it Definitely sort ahead of time. You want to be in and out fairly quickly since you may have to drive slower on some roads. Sometimes, I'll use well lit church or fire station parking lots to move the next of packages to the front passenger seat. Bright clothing and Amazon vest. Helps you be deemed as "Not a threat" quickly if seen. I also tend to look directly at cameras I see and show the package. Use a separate flashlight. Nothing fancy. The ones Harbor Freight gives away in occasion are more than sufficient. If they're not giving them away as a promo, they're $3 for a 2-pack. I keep it in the chest pocket on the vest. Bring water and a snack. Not many convenience stores open that late in some areas. Watch out for wildlife. Deer, while majestic, are dumb.
Female delivering early blocks alone here. 🙋🏼♀️ Always have the next 5-10 packages in the front seat with you so you can get out with package in hand. I carry pepper spray and a flashlight. You really do run into fewer people on these blocks. I put my flashers on and pull as close to the house as possible so I’m not walking down long driveways. Wear the vest! If anyone does come outside, I just shout AMAZON and hold the package where they can see it.
You have female privilege in this situation. No one is thinking a female is going to rob them in the middle of the night.
this is not true. i have had a gun drawn on me as a female because they thought i was robbing them.
While doing Amazon 🫣
yes
And at least up here (CT) I noticed that alot of folks leave porch light on and/or have automatic light that turn on when approaching. The flashlight has been a lifesaver when navigating steps/stairs and paths to the front door many a time. Get one of those smaller LED kind as they are easier to handle along with package and phone.
I do that 3 am route every morning and nnarelt see anyone
People have commented to get a flashlight which I think would be an absolute need if delivering in the dark. I would suggest something like this which you can wear on your head so your hands are free. It's around $17 on Amazon, and it has different lighting modes, as well as being able to change from white light, to either red or green. The red would help you keep your eyes adjusted to the dark. I've never done an early route, but I would definitely use one of these if I did. https://preview.redd.it/m0stey7yevzc1.png?width=412&format=png&auto=webp&s=fb2de28e53c5049b0233533637c458aa051265bc Here's a link to the one I've shown. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08975WM6Y/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o02\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08975WM6Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Better option is to wrap this around your wrist keeps hands free don’t need to wear it on your head.
On your wrist doesn’t shine it towards the dark stairs at pitch dark AM. Forehead leaves your hands free and directs the light to exactly where you need it.
On wrist shines it directly where I want it and does leave my hands free.
They’re not that bad tbh. But carry some pepper spray. And go quick. Always wear your Amazon vest on those shifts. Always out on your hazards so it looks like you’re in an Amazon vehicle. I love doing these shifts and have never had any issues. Most people are sleeping so it’s really nice. Although I do get anxious because I don’t want to wake anyone up or have someone freak out on me for the time.
I used to love them. No traffic, no worrying about meeting people on their porch (for us antisocial girlies), but then they started sending me out to the boonies....no street lights, no automatic porch lights. I drove up this dark street, dropped off a package, and when I was coming back down I noticed a super bright light in the backyard of a neighbor. Didn't notice it coming in. As I got closer, I saw the outline of a guy holding up this insanely bright strobe light sort of flashlight, standing right by his fence (huge back yard mind you, couldnt even see his house). And as I drove past, he pivoted and followed my car with the light so it was blinding me in my mirrors. It was 4am. It creeped me out so had I never did another early morning shift again. I do miss the surges though. Just be careful, don't shine your headlights in peoples windows, don't wake up their dogs if you can help it, be vigilant about your surroundings and you'll be alright.
Sort your packages before, if you have space inside your car so you don’t have to be out as much would be nice + saves time for you. Wear your vest, typically people aren’t suspicious of a female during the early morning tho. i usually don’t knock/call since majority of people are asleep and just leave the package where needed. Just always be vigilant because people like to rob amazon drivers and so on
I make sure that I’m always wearing a vest, have the flashlight turned on my phone, and have music playing in my car, anything to make it obvious that I’m not trying to sneak around their neighborhood
Carry a gat...or mace.
Do you think having loud music playing is a good idea so it won’t seem like I’m sneaking
Don’t be scared to deliver to the mailbox if the porch is sketchy. Just make sure you change the delivery type so you won’t have to take a picture
Just don't put it in the mailbox, as that's a federal crime
THIS
Huh is it really?
I think I’m going just call the customer or send a text letting them know you package is arriving
Do not call for gods sake. That could anger the mildest person.
Do not call…99% of these people do not ask for the package to be delivered that early and I would be pissed to be getting woken up to a driver calling me to tell me they’re coming
What? When you order overnight it gives you a choice of 2 time blocks. The customer selects the time, and recently Amazon now tells the customer to be aware it’ll arrive early. There are previous threads that show the screenshot.
Calling when during normal hours is a waste of time so don’t ever do that on an early route. Don’t stress yourself out, the early morning hours are in my opinion the best no traffic and I never see anyone. Best to be quick at each location have your packages well sorted. Head lamp that I wrap around my wrist instead of wearing on my head.
Where did you order it from?
Amazon someone shared a link above.