Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Are you a messenger?

So, how many of you guys pay the rent messengering? How long? Do you like it? Did you get a Phd and then decide to do something else? Did you watch Dark Angel?

Dark Angel? Hm...
I messed for a stint in 90...paid my rent and bought food for me. I liked it and it was great until I joined the Army.

i've always wondered how messengers get started and how the job fares paywise. does it make the rent or do people have to skimp by? i guess i really have no idea since i have never lived in a large enough city where messengers are rampant. i just see them when i visit san francisco.

Nah, Quicksilver was my motivation...;)

In the days before faxes, expedia, etc...money was good. But there are quite a few companies out there now. "Nerves of Steel" by Rebecca Reilly has some interesting insights to the compensation that once was. Or you can always ask one of the older messers...

I am/was after getting my degree in computer engineering because i could not find a computer job. I got in an accident 3 weeks ago when another cyclist blew a stop sign on a crossing street and I ran into him at nearly 30mph. Incidentally this happened while I was taking the safer (and slightly longer) route.

I've heard in NYC the best messangers made upward of $50,000/yr. I think I heard this during the high-flying '90s, before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This sounds like alot of money but the cost of living in NYC is very high and there is no benefits like health ins., paid vacations, etc.

is it considered 'trendy' anywhere else to be a messenger? i dont really get it...

Someone posted a article awhile ago from La times, the messengers stated they were looked down on most of the time. STated on a good week they might make up to $750.. so pay does not sound that great and no real respect atleast in Los Angeles area.

$750 beats my two pair.
I have read "Nerves of Steel" It is interesting but hard to follow. There are time line jumps and many stories started but not finished.

Originally posted by Rev.Chuck
$750 beats my two pair.
I have read "Nerves of Steel" It is interesting but hard to follow. There are time line jumps and many stories started but not finished.
I think this was already discussed in another thread...I as just referencing so of the pay data in the book.:)

$750 really is not bad pay I will agree, figure that would be your best week if you arranged that 52 weeks a year you would make roughly $39,000 a year.. But what's the chances of having that good a week every week.. And los angeles is not the cheapest place to live.. I live in orange county right outside LA the average home was rated at $400,000 out here (give or take)..

i cry when i have to go home to orange county. people there don't pay attention to the road when they are driving and have almost hit me ummpteenth times riding AND running. maybe i can be on the 40 year plan and stay at college forever? granted i think it is a nice, safe place to grow up, but suppppppeeerrr sheltered from everything else that is out there. at least there are still cities left that recognize the importance of a bike and don't scuff at the use of one.

i'm not a messenger but have spoken to a bunch recently while travelling to chicago,
portland, seattle and SF. the number game seems to average out between $450 - 600
per week. ah...i'm also pay my bills witha bike, peddicabbing. totally different than riding
my 18lb fixed:O)

Originally posted by Spire
I am/was after getting my degree in computer engineering because i could not find a computer job. I got in an accident 3 weeks ago when another cyclist blew a stop sign on a crossing street and I ran into him at nearly 30mph. Incidentally this happened while I was taking the safer (and slightly longer) route.

Darn SUV's do it every time.

GASP!

Wait, the cursed SUV didn't do you in Spire?

It was another cyclist?

Sheesh, guess we ought to ban those too, eh?


:rolleyes:

:D
:p

(Hope you're not physically hurt, glad you're still around despite..)

Originally posted by William Karsten

(Hope you're not physically hurt, glad you're still around despite..)

I am still off the bike. I had multiple broken bones (3) in my face around my right eye. I've had surgery and a plate put in my face. My eye area is still swollen.

reminds me of the time i was on a road ride over summer. someone pulled in front of me when i was going about 25 mph cruising down the street. i slam on the brakes and come inches from hitting his car. i hit his hood with my hand and tell him to watch where he is going. only seconds later did he accel and slam his brakes right in front of me cutting me off. this is where it got scary/hilarious. he threatened to kill me if i ever touched his car again and he said i was a F*!@# idiot yada yada. too bad the car was new and had no plates. then i could have bought everyone on here fixies after i took his ass court.

hope you get better soon spire.

spire, can we get pics?

hey pdx, spire got himself busted up real bad, and now you want him to SHOW you? sicko. Let the man heal in peace!

hey spire, hope you recover soon.
-nrs

Originally posted by Rev.Chuck
So, how many of you guys pay the rent messengering? How long? Do you like it? Did you get a Phd and then decide to do something else? Did you watch Dark Angel?

Yeah, i´m a messenger. For one year. And i really like it, only bad thing is that this job kind of keeps me from doing much else. But then again, that´s not necessarily a bad thing.. ;)

how does the salary work? are you under a company that outsources work to you or do you get paid per delivery? it looks like a fun job regardless.

My brother had about the same thing, only broke the bone in his face in one spot below his eye and had to get a plate put in. This was lil'over 2 months ago now, also had a broken scapula. He is back riding now, probably seems like forever to heal but won't be to bad.

Anymore input in this subject would be great......


-Dude

i've been on the road for 7yrs here in canada its not a job its a lifestyle when i want to go i go and its me vs the car if you want to know more try www.messengers.org and the nac3's are in mtl. ca. and theworlds are in end alt.ca oh ya some guys get health and i am one i ride for dynamex www.dxnow.com i ride a luged steel and no brakes once you go track you will never go back