HEERA ALAYA

ARTERIES

“We don’t have that much time here [in life].
My religion is respecting people, being kind, and doing the right thing.”

SHAWN
Courier, USA

January 1st, 2021

Heera Alaya: Hello, Shawn. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I’ll keep it brief. What time does your workday begin, and approximately what time do you usually finish?

Shawn: I start at 8:30 am and finish, at the latest, by 9:00 pm.

That’s quite a long day.

A long day it is.

How many days a week do you work?

Five days.

How long have you been working as a courier?

19 years.

What are some challenges you face in your job?

It would have to be traffic and navigating around walking tourists. I have to concentrate more to be safe.

Is it easier to deliver and pick up packages during a specific season?

Summer presents more challenges, as working hours are often longer. More people are out, and we have to keep taking breaks to stay hydrated in the heat. Whereas, in the winter, not many people are out, which allows us to maintain a steadier pace.

Does winter bring a different set of challenges?

Yes, winter weather—particularly snow—can create slippery road conditions that complicate deliveries

Which season do you prefer?

Spring and Fall.

Your job involves driving, parking, and walking while delivering and picking up packages. How do you plan your day and route?

As we drive down the street, we scan the area. We’re also trained to look and park a block ahead before stopping, which helps us identify the safest locations for our deliveries.

So you have to concentrate.

Yes, to perform this job effectively, it takes a lot of concentration. We are constantly scanning in a triangular pattern, from left to right, then back to the front and left. This scanning technique helps us stay aware of what’s happening in front of us and to our sides.

Does your work have an impact on your health? If so, which areas of your body are most affected?

Yes, it does. The back and knees are the parts of the body that are most affected. The truck sits high, and all the weight comes down on your knees because we have to enter and exit the vehicle constantly. To help relieve this pressure, we make three points of contact with the rail. And if you don’t lift a box correctly, you can mess up your back. Our training is to bend and test the package’s weight before lifting it swiftly. We pivot up our whole body; never twist. And we use the handcart when required.

Do you wear specially cushioned shoes?

No. But we always wear boots, mostly Nike boots, and use insoles for cushioning.

You spend the whole day driving and walking quite a bit. On average, how many miles do you cover on foot each day?

Currently, it’s in double digits. I typically average about 26 floors a day, walk approximately 14,000 steps, and still have several hours of work left by the end of my day.

You don’t have to work out.

[Laughs] No.

Do you find time to listen to music during your solitary driving hours, or does your mind drift toward other thoughts, like a to-do list?

We do have time, but we focus on concentrating on the job. We must train ourselves to block out distractions, because people might unexpectedly cross the street while we’re driving. Safety is a priority.

How do you manoeuvre huge packages, like a large refrigerator?

We must be able to lift 100 pounds on our own. When the package is too heavy to carry, we use our handcarts. And if we have to carry them up a flight of stairs without an elevator, we certainly need assistance.

In your 19 years on the job, have you ever delivered anything unusual?

Yes, live fish. I’m always curious about how live aquarium fish complete their journey.

Shawn, I have observed you over the years; your pleasant demeanour is inspiring.

Well, thank you.

You’re welcome. What influences your attitude?

My grandmother, who hails from Columbus, South Carolina, raised me till I was 25 years old, and she taught me how to speak to people: “Even if they don’t speak well to you, you speak well because you never know who you might meet, and you never know who they are.”

It makes sense that your language reflects terms like “Ma’am.” You don’t hear people speaking that way as often anymore.

I was raised to be kind to others; in return, people are kind to me.

I don’t recollect ever seeing you flustered.

[Laughs] I try to avoid showing that side of myself, as you will feel uncomfortable. So, I keep those feelings inside and deal with the frustration and anger later.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

I enjoy spending time with my family, hanging out with my children, working in the yard and talking; that’s when we communicate. I also enjoy playing golf; I get my frustrations out—there’s something satisfying about hitting the ball.

[Laughter]

Are children different today? What values do you instil in your children?

Today’s kids are more aggressive and don’t communicate much. I try to instil in my kids the values I was taught—be kind to others, have manners, and respect people no matter how old they are. Say, “Yes, Sir and Yes, Ma’am.”

Are you strict with your children?

I am strict. Education is essential; you need an education to get a decent job. You will be left behind if you don’t learn something every day. It doesn’t matter what you learn, but learn. If it means you learn to add up to four in five new ways, then learn it. It’s a way to exercise your mind.

Do you regret not doing anything when you were young?

No, because if that were the case, I could have been in a different, worse place. I believe god controls my life, and he knows which mistakes I am supposed to make and how I am supposed to go so I can be a better person. I am happy where I am, and I am happy I did what I did when I was younger.

What would you like people to know about your courier job?

Being a courier is a demanding job, one that deserves respect. An ant tribe cannot thrive without the worker ants. Similarly, a car cannot move without wheels or an engine. So a courier, dishwasher, or trash collector is a job for a reason. When you do the job, take pride in it like you are supposed to.

How should people treat one another?

It’s important to express gratitude. Society is losing its sense of kindness, and that’s troubling. So you do your part and be kind to just one person, so that person feels it and is kind to another person. Acknowledge people. Just say “good morning”. Say “thank you” if someone opens the door for you or picks up something you dropped.

What are your dreams for creating a world that is inclusive of class, colour, and religion?

I want people to have respect for each other. We don’t have that much time here [in life]. My religion is respecting people, being kind, and doing the right thing.

You often drive alone. In your free time, do you prefer someone else to take the wheel?

[Laughs] Sometimes. I always like to be in control of my driving. I can see what other people might not notice.

I hear you.

When do you typically have breakfast and lunch?

I have my breakfast before I get to work. And lunch is usually around 12:00 pm to 12.30 pm. I have an hour’s lunch break and a 10-minute break. We have to manage our time effectively.

Why aren’t courier trucks air-conditioned?

We don’t need to air-condition because we shouldn’t stay in the truck long enough for it to be necessary, and adding it would be an unnecessary expense.

But what about during a heatwave in the summer?

That’s true. We are advised to take short breaks throughout the day, and we drink about seven or eight bottles of water during each shift, along with Gatorade.

Do your trucks have doors?

Yes, they have sliding doors. I keep them open in the summer and close them in the winter.

What are some of the more enjoyable aspects of your job?

Meeting different people makes all the difference—good people make the day smoother, but when you don’t gel with people, it makes for a long day.

When I expressed interest in learning about your work, you were open to sharing. What prompted that openness? 

For one, you are a good person. And second, you asked me graciously. Moreover, it’s good to know what different people do for a living and how they approach their jobs.

Animal rights campaigner, IN