Even if you haven’t read the books or seen the movies, you probably at least know that the heroine, Katniss Everdeen, uses the survival skills she developed growing up in District 12 to become the unlikely (co-)winner of the titular battle royale – not once but twice. But the story makes it clear that she needed more than skills. She also needed key tools and relationships to succeed – as much in her everyday life as in the death matches.
Like Katniss, I too depended on tools to get through my first 30 Days as a UPS driver, and ever since then. Although I had the same route for my 30, I didn’t always have the same truck. And now as a ‘cover driver’ I can never count on a particular route or truck. Thus all the tools I’ve come to use, or might possibly need, I must carry with me to and from work each day.
Let’s start with my official uniform. I started with a large group of new drivers, both temporary and permanent. Uniforms were (and continue to be) in short supply. I was able to acquire one quilted jacket, one short-sleeved button-up shirt, and one pair of pants (size 38!) Since I’m a size 32 waist, I’ve come to depend on my belt to keep my pants from falling down. I supplement this with a long-sleeved compression shirt to keep me warm through the winter months. This has been my sole outfit since I started driving. I also wear the bright green vest whenever I’m in the warehouse yard, which usually is at the beginning and end of my shift each day.I didn’t pay for my uniform; I presume it’s on indefinite loan to me for as long as I work there. I did, however, have to pay for a pair of boots. The work boots I purchased for the warehouse last July weren’t suitable for my new role as a driver. I got myself some hiking boots from Dicks, which I wear with these fleece socks from Costco. (I’d have to buy my own brown UPS socks, but I’ll worry about that when it’s warm enough to wear shorts.) UPS supplies us with Yaktrax which fortunately I’ve not had to use yet (hence they’re still in their box).In addition to Yaktrax, I also have on hand a beanie, some earmuffs, and gloves if it ever gets too cold. The beanie and gloves came free from UPS, the earmuffs are mine. UPS provides gloves both with and without fingertips, for reasons I’ll explain below.Cardboard leaves my hands dry and dirty. Since I’m handling boxes all day every day, hand coverings are a must. But I prefer to wear my own gloves. The rubber coating on these work gloves sticks to the cardboard and allows me to handle the boxes far more easily than with my bare skin. I always keep wipes and hand cream with me to treat my hands which still take quite a beating. I had to cut the tips off all the fingers because I need my fingertips to use the touchscreen on my DIAD.Besides keeping my pants from falling down, another reason for wearing a belt is to hold the holster for my DIAD. Along with my feet and hands, I depend on my eyes the most. Since my face mask fogs up my glasses I choose to wear contacts each day. But glasses are better for night vision, so I have both available. I haven’t needed sunglasses too often yet this winter, but the headlamp is a must for the many deliveries I make after the early sunsets.With a few exceptions, so far I’ve only shown you what I wear. Next is what I put in my pockets. I’ve found that I need multiple pens and Sharpies, in case I lose one or they stop working. I write on the pad of Info Notices and also directly on packages I’m unable to deliver.It didn’t take very long to appreciate just what a lifeline my phone is. Not only is it how I keep in touch with the office throughout my shift, as well as other drivers I regularly coordinate with, it’s also how I navigate unfamiliar routes when the Map Navigation feature on my DIAD fails, or when I’m driving a rented box truck. The cold weather isn’t good for the battery life on my iPhone 7 (I love my home button!), so I pack a charge cord as well as a portable charger and car adapter. AirPods means I can take calls on the go, hands-free; they’ve been a game-changer for me.I noticed other drivers carrying multi-tools, so I started carrying mine as well. I haven’t had to use it much lately, but it’s there in case I ever need it.I’ve been a Type 1 diabetic for almost 27 years, using an insulin pump for the past 21 years. I pack supplies necessary for uninterrupted delivery of my insulin, including a spring-loaded device that helps me plunge a one-inch needle into my skin.Being diabetic also means I have to make sure I have enough food available for a shift that lasts 8 hours MINIMUM. In addition to my usual snacks I keep a reserve of emergency snacks and drinks. I also learned the hard way to keep a reserve of plastic forks in case I pack leftovers that aren’t finger food.Ready for work! You can’t really see it, but I’ve stuffed everything in my backpack which I open for inspection at the ‘guard shack’ whenever I enter or leave the UPS facility.
In this post I’ve focused on the tools I use to do my work. Of course the biggest tool I use is the vehicle itself, which comes with tools of its own. Whether I’m driving a brown package car or a rented box truck, I have use of a ‘hand truck’ with an extender that enables me to transport heavier or multiple packages to their destination. I also have tire chains, and bungee cords to secure them, in case of snow and ice. Sometimes I have traction boards that can help me get the vehicle unstuck if I’m not chained up.
In a future post I’ll discuss the key relationships that enabled me to get through my 30, and that continue to contribute to my success every day.
