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A veteran delivery driver has revealed the secrets of his job and how it has changed in 40 years – as he celebrated a major milestone in his career. Raymond Morris, who is based at the Yodel depot in Oldbury, marked 40 years of service with the company back in January.
He has revealed how the world of online shopping has changed how deliver drivers go about their jobs. And he revealed how more cars on the road and less parking has made it harder to navigate the streets of the West Midlands while dropping off parcels.
Mr Morris, aged 63 from Tividale, told BlackCountryLive: “One of the biggest changes I’ve seen in the last 40 years is how busy the roads have become. Things like parking were much easier in the past as there weren’t as many double yellow lines and cars on the road.”
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Along with busier roads, there are also more deliveries to contend with in 2022 than back in 1982. He said: “(There is) absolutely!
“Volumes have increased considerably in recent years due to the changing way people are placing orders. In 1982 online shopping was not available, so as it has become more mainstream, people are making orders to have things delivered rather than heading to the high street.”
On average, he covers around 100 miles a day. Each year, that he says that equates to about 23,000 miles – which is almost the entire distance around planet Earth (which is 24,901 miles).
Although the role is a public-facing one, he says he has never been “attacked or abuse at work”, adding: “Each day is different and I meet a variety of different people. The vast majority of customers I see are brilliant and I’ve become quite friendly with a lot of them.”
He joked that the most dangerous part of his job was having his wife work at the same company. He said: “In the 40 years I’ve worked at Yodel, the only danger has been having my wife working for the same company and watching what I’m up to.”
In those four decades, Mr Morris has seen a lot during his job. But working during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdowns kept a lot of people at home, was an experience he won’t forget.
He said: “It was very strange to see the roads so deserted during the first lockdown, it was unlike anything I’ve seen, the traffic was even lighter than when I first started. I did enjoy driving on empty roads but it has been great to see the world going back to normal.”
Asked why has stayed in the role for 40 years, he said having good colleagues has added to his longevity, calling them a part of his “family”. He said: “40 years in the job has gone by so quickly. My colleagues have played a big part in me staying this long, as they’ve really become my work family. Above all, the job security in doing something I enjoy has also been essential; Yodel has looked after me from a young age to now and I can plan my retirement in a few years.”
Asked if he had any tips for budding delivery drivers, he said: “For anyone who is just joining the company as a delivery driver, my advice would be to always be courteous to colleagues and people you meet whilst out on delivery. I’ve always found that manners go a long way, it makes the job easier and helps you have a better day.”
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