My first week

The ice has been broken, and I have just completed my first week as a taxi driver.

Did I enjoy it? Well, I was a bit nervous at first, but as soon as I had my first job, things started to get easier, and I did start to enjoy it.

Is it what I was expecting? I have driven cabs before here, but for a different company who are more established, so it wasn't as busy as I was expecting, but from what I have been told from other drivers, it's a quiet time. Our customer base should be expanding in the next month, as more clients are being signed up.

My hours are already changing too; I'll be working Tuesday to Saturday to see how that works out. Allot of our drivers work Mon to Friday, and then have the weekend off, so there are not too many cars on the road on Saturday, so that should mean more work for the few cars that are out there.

So a three day weekend this weekend then I start again on Tuesday.

The holiday is over

My 5 month holiday is finally over. After moving back to NZ in March & being out of work for so long, I finally start my taxi driving job tomorrow morning.

It's been a long road, having to re-qualify for my P(passenger) Endorsement, completing exams, driving tests, waiting for legal documentation to be sent from Perth, and arguing with the NZ benefit system (don't get me started on that), I received my approved license last week, and am ready (I think) to begin my new job.

So, if you're in the Christchurch region & need a taxi, call Green Cabs on 0508 447 336 and request cab number 415.

I'll let you know how I get on, and stay tuned for posts on my taxi driving experiences.

Training wheels

Today I had my first training with Green Cabs, the taxi company I am waiting to start driving for.

I was picked up this morning by the owner of the cab that I will be driving; then with myself driving we slowly made our way across town where we met up with man who was running the training session.

I was shown how to operate the vehicle, as it is an electric powered Hybrid vehicle (Toyota Prius), and also how to use the computer system from which the taxi job dispatch & meter are operated. It's all very interesting & flash.

We also went out to the Christchurch International Airport to learn how things work out there. I still have to go & get my airport access & ID card, but I can't do that until I get my official taxi license in the mail, which should be here tomorrow.

So it was a fun day of learning, and I am feeling a little weary, but I am looking forward to starting my Taxi work, next week if all goes well.

If you're interested in finding out more about Green Cabs, just click here to visit their website.

All Tests Complete

It's finally done.

For the past several weeks I've been doing study & taking tests to obtain my P (passenger) Endorsement to be able to drive a taxi here in Christchurch. I've had to do a theory test about carrying passengers, special needs, & special requirements for a passenger service license holder. I was very happy to pass this test with 100% (i have sat this test previously, years ago).

Today, I sat a practical driving test with a testing officer; again I did exceptionally well (I have been driving for 13 years).

So now it's a waiting game. My application is now being processed by LTSA (Land Transport Safety Authority), and once they have approved my license I can start driving taxis.

I've driven taxi's in the past when I lived in Christchurch previously so I'm looking forward to getting back into it. I'll let you know when it's all comes through.

Employee of the month

Now that's what I call dedication to the job, although why the person didn't use their lap; after all, it is a laptop.

Third Farewell

Yesterday was my last day of work with Network Couriers; I have been working as a courier with them for about 12 months, & during this past year I have posted several articles to do with work stuff.

Through my daily city run, I have met some wonderful people of whom I have had the pleasure of visiting everyday for a couple of minutes.

I told many of my daily customers that I was leaving & where I was going; yesterday I was overwhelmed with farewell wishes & gifts. Now I know that I always take pride in my work, but everyone was saying that I am the best courier that many of them have had; I was shocked at that revelation.

I hope the new person who takes over the city run will look after the customers as well as the all suggest that I have done.

So now that I have finished work there is still much to do in preparation for our move to NZ. It's certainly no time for a holiday.





Technorati Tags: Network Couriers - Work

I miss my radio

As a courier driver, I get to use a company vehicle, which means all fuel & maintenance is taken care of by the company, and of course the car has a radio which I listen to throughout the day.

At the end of last week, the boss took me out of the car I have used for the last 9 months, and put me into one of the vans; this was so that I could carry more boxes etc, that were needed for my city run.

The only problem with this arrangement is that the van I'm now using does not have a working radio. There is a radio in the van, but it doesn't work, so I have to drive around without my favorite music & talk back stations.

Unfortunately, getting the company to fix these things including air conditioners just falls on deaf ears.

I may have to improvise and use a battery powered transmitter radio from home. The only problem is having to switch it on & off when I get in & out of the vehicle.

Do you enjoy listening to a radio or CD in the car? How would you cope if it was taken away from you? Even though these things are luxury's we really do notice when they're not there.





Technorati Tags: Radio - Luxurys

Christmas week begins

This week is Christmas week; there will be some busy times while other times will be quiet.

For me I have to work Monday, Thursday & Friday; these will be the quiet days for me as many business that I visit during my daily courier run have already closed down for Christmas and so I am expecting an early finish tomorrow afternoon.

Tuesday is Christmas & of course there's family get together s, eating, giving of gifts & then the aftermath what ever that may be.

Wednesday is Boxing Day when usually we rest from the day before or go on a family outing; this year we are planning a train trip to Mandurah on the newly opened train line.

It's going to be hot this week also; the forecast is for mid to high 30's all week, so amongst all the festivities, the challenge will be to keep as cool as possible.

So what will you be doing this week? What are your plans for the big day? Whatever you do, I hope it's a good one for you.





Technorati Tags: Christmas

No Parking

Tonight on channel seven's "Today, Tonight" program, they had a report about parking inspectors issuing fines for people parking where they shouldn't be. They say they are all about revenue raising.

As a courier who services Perth city, I can say that parking can often be a hassle; it shouldn't be for me because I am in a registered commercial vehicle, and I am allowed to use the loading zones, where other vehicles are not supposed to park. Unfortunately other drivers don't pay any attention to the signs, and park wherever they feel like.

In the city the parking inspectors are strict & if your vehicle is caught in a place it shouldn't be, they will ticket you with a $100 fine.

As a courier I get really ticked off when I can't access a loading zone for 5 minutes because some clown can't read the sign that says, "Loading zone, commercial vehicles only".

Anyone who gets a fine for parking in a no stopping zone, or loading zone, gets no sympathy from me.





Technorati Tags: Road Rules - Parking Ticket

Back to work

Don't you hate the last day of a holiday break? I was supposed to be back at work today, but due to a last minute change of plan, I had to help my mum put some of her stuff into storage today; so it's back to work tomorrow.

I have had a good 10 day break and although we didn't really go anywhere, it was lovely to spend some time at home with my family. One of my goals while on holiday was to change the look of my blog, which obviously has happened, & for now, I'm happy with it.

I do enjoy my courier work, and am looking forward to getting back into it; the funny thing is I have two days of work & then two days off again for the weekend.

So after a few days in the easy life, it's back to 5:30am wake ups & the business of the real world in the city of Perth.




Technorati Tags: Work - Network Couriers - City of Perth

Just call me Coach

Tomorrow is my last day of work before I take some holidays. Its not long, but I'm sure I'll enjoy my ten day break & go back to work feeling refreshed.

In preparation for my break I have to train a replacement driver to do my run. This means more concentration as I make sure I show him all he needs to know about how my run works, & while I enjoyed the company today, it was a little more tiring.

I remember when I was learning how to do the run eight months ago; there was SO much information to remember & I wondered how I was ever going to get the hang of it; the difference was I had a week of training whereas he has only two days. I guess there's extra work for both trainer & trainee.

Do you remember training for a job & wondering how you would learn so much stuff in a limited time frame. Allot of people give up before giving something a decent go; I usually find that once you have put in a little bit of hard work, it all falls into place & suddenly seems so easy.




Technorati Tags: Training - Courier

Fear

Are there things that you're afraid of but you don't know why? Today during my morning run, I was confronted with something that made me afraid.

A light bulb had blown in one of the elevators in the city that I use every day at work, and so when the doors opened to let me in, I saw that it was dark inside & once the doors were to shut it would be even darker & I could not enter the elevator.

I don't think I'm afraid of the dark (although I wonder sometimes), & I'm up and down elevators all day. If there had have been someone else with me it would've been fine, but I could not step into that dark elevator by myself. In the end I waited a couple of minutes longer for the next elevator, that did have lights on.

It can be a little embarrassing as an adult telling people that you have a problem with dark places, but now that I think about it, there have been times in the past where I have been in similar situations with similar results. Perhaps this insight gives me something to work on.

So my next challenge is to conquer that elevator if it is dark again; I'll keep you posted.



Technorati Tags: Fear - Darkness - Elevators

Who enjoys public holiday's?

It was a public holiday here in Perth on Monday; Queens birthday (why do we need to celebrate her birthday anyway), so we all had the day off work, which is always nice.

Unfortunately in my job as a courier, there are certain jobs which always get done on the Monday, which meant that we had to do them, plus our regular Tuesday work on Tuesday.

We also get small boxes from the eastern states every day to deliver as well, & because the eastern states don't have the same public holidays as we do here in the west, when we return to work on Tuesday, there is double the boxes waiting for us.

It puts a bit of a damper on the extra day off because you know that there is going to be a busy day ahead of you.

We were pleasantly surprised on Tuesday; our customers from Sydney had realized that we were not working on Monday & had not sent any boxes, and so there was only the regular work & no double ups.

So it has not been too bad so far; it has been just like a regular week, only shorter. Two days to go until the weekend.

So do you enjoy short working weeks, or do you have to fit 5 days of work into 4? Do you enjoy the extra day off, or dread returning to an extra workload.



Technorati Tags: Public Holiday - Queens Birthday

Boring Occupations

What is the most boring job you've had, or could think of doing??

I'm in Perth city every weekday doing my courier run. Now I go to the same places & see the same people every day, & while some people may consider that boring, I actually quite enjoy it.

There are however, 2 types of jobs that I see every day throughout the city centre & I think how can these people do all day every day.

The first is standing on street corners selling magazines. Standing or sitting for hours on end holding up a magazine waiting for a passer by er to stop & exchange a magazine for a few gold coins. One young man I was chatting to said he had been sitting at the same spot for 4 hours & had sold ten magazines.

The second boring job I see is the construction worker who stands in the middle of the road holding one of those signs that stops traffic to allow for the thoroughfare of construction vehicles. In the heat of the afternoon or on a rainy day, that would really annoy me just standing there for so long. From what I understand they are paid very well; they'd have to be.

As for me, the most boring job I've had, was doing a traffic survey & writing down number plates of vehicles as they drove past on a busy highway. Thankfully that was a once off & only lasted a week.

What about you? What's your idea of a boring job?





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What fequency am I on??

There's something about CB radio's that makes life both simpler & entertaining.

Since I started working at Network Couriers back in March this year, I've been using my mobile phone as the main source of communication between myself & the office. When they have a job for me to pick up, they just call me on the phone & give me the details & if I need to contact them then the same deal applies.

Yesterday the boss finally installed a 2 way radio into the company car I use for my run. The last couple of days, we have been testing it out a little bit, & although there has not been as much communication as there normally would be, it's still been fun using the new toy.

The interesting thing is that there are a couple of other drivers using company vehicles & they also have 2 way radio's, and can hear all conversations, so rather than being a 2 way conversation, anyone can jump in & add their two cents worth, often with humour & sarcasm.

One thing is for certain; I won't be using up as much of my mobile phone credit.




Technorati Tags: Network Couriers - CB Radio - Communication

From a negative to a positive

It's been a tough week at work this week. For some reason things just haven't really been going right. Do you ever have those weeks where you just push through & see the week out as well as you can??

Friday's are always my favorite day of the week, because we always have a BBQ for lunch, & then it's the weekend.

Today was extra special because I had the privilege of having my wife Jo & little daughter Chloe come down & join me for lunch. Jo called in to show Chloe to all my colleagues, who all thought she was just beautiful.

I have to say that having Jo & Chloe there today for an hour really lifted my spirits after what has been a difficult week. So for the remainder of the day I was walking around with my head held high ready to take on the world.

Isn't it amazing how when you have been in a negative situation, a loved one can quickly change the atmosphere to a positive one, & give you that boost to get through.