metaljim

i don't know enough about toronto to know what the west end is, beyond the west side of something, but if you can navigate through downtown in a hurry without getting lost at all, then you'll figure the rest out in a couple of weeks. pretty much only messengers and cab drivers know EVERY street. but if you only know the major thoroughfares then that may be an issue.

note: getting lost is different than missing a turn, or making a wrong turn. everyone goofs now and then. i've been a courier three different times, and i can navigate this town blind, but i still take a wrong on occasion.

JACQU3S

Most people doing it as a summer-only thing in Montreal make less than minimum wage. Keep in mind that the commpany you'd be working for benifits from having a lot of courriers on the road. Since they're not spending any more money (they only pay per delivery) and actually make money on renting you a CB, companies have all the incentive to hire as many messengers as they can keep. This is especially true for the cheaper companies who aren't concerned with attracting vetteran messengers.

This being said, if you're not too woried about bringin' in any big dough, and dont mind waiting around downtown for long periods of time, it could be a great time. Good luck!

ps. You should check out the CMWCs.

goofycc

+1.

I resemble that comment.

balonya

word -- you will be hate and you will be broke, you will trash your bike and just when you are starting to get the hang of it it is off to school.... In DC summer is the slowest time of year so even vets are strugleing to make $$$$$

Bdaisies

Toronto couriers also get beat up a lot!

https://www.citynoise.org/article/2770


Ok, no they don't, but ain't it fascinating!

You really should learn how to get around by bike in Toronto. It's not as easy as just knowing where all the major intersections are.

cupcrazy4

Trash my bike...??

I'm not too worried about money, but I do want work. Is it that there's lots of work but it pays nothing, or there's no work, but what work there is pays crap?

humancongereel

not a literal tourist, just some half-assed kid coming through for a short period to "see what it's like" or get street cred.

and yes and no to the taking work. yes, you'll probably be taking work. the companies that **** their messengers like that don't care though and will do it anyway, so from that perspective you may as well try and make it you.

still can't guarantee anyone will be glad to have you around. i've been one of the messengers stiffed in the summer and even though i liked the guy they hired i was still pissed

krusty

It's interesting that people several thousand miles away know exactly what the demand for couriers is in Toronto.

Make a few inquiries at a few local shops, then talk to some of the couriers themselves to get a sense of the local scene. You obviously aren't too concerned about how much you make this summer, so why no do something you like? BTW, I agree that construction is one of the worst summer jobs you can get. You end up with all the 'fetch and carry' or just plain dangerous jobs nobody else wants to do. They also give you minimal safety training and spend their days insulting you in languages you can't understand.

humancongereel

six of one, half....oh, you know the rest.

ryanday

Been there. It sucks a lot.

cupcrazy4

sounds like the courier industry isn't as friendly as I had imagined.

If the courier thing doesn't work out, are there other jobs that let you ride your bike all day?

kergin

get a trailer and pick through garbage for empty bottles.

sirpoopalot

sure, go for it. *** the haters. you'll find out within 2 weeks if you can hack it or not.

humancongereel

it's not so much unfriendly as couriers can be very defensive of their livelihood especially as the last few years have been a steady decline in work.

but like i said, if companies are hiring, then they'll hire someone, regardless of if it's good for their couriers or not, so you may as well try and make that person you. people might not react as badly as i've predicted, but i suppose it doesn't hurt to prepare for the worst (hence my harsh picture of things).

sirpoopalot

the overhiriing bit is usually at the ****ty/entry elvel companies- the better companies don't over hire. it's the mgmt who should be blamed, not someone who gets hired.

goodall

Yes, drive a pedicab! In DC you can get $10-20 an hour, especially weekends, and you destroy someone else's bike. Downsides are riding a huge tricycle, carrying overweight (but friendly) tourists up hills, and having drunk college kids point and laugh at you every ten minutes. I don't know how it is in Toronto, but you should check these guys out.

https://www.rickshawservices.com/

BizzaroSteve

go treeplanting. You'll have fun and by the end of the summer you'll be able to afford a very nice bike!

also if you stick with it you can make A LOT of money.

krusty

IF you find a reputable company, yes. A lot of my friends when I lived out west ended up getting shafted badly pay-wise. It seemed something was always wrong with every tree they planted, and so no money for those ones. Or you get the ones charging employees outrageous rates for 'room and board' (crappy food and a tent). Again, the charges to you always seemed to equal your pay.

cupcrazy4

just curious, does anybody know what the courier scene in Toronto is like these days? I'm not even sure, being 17 years old, if I'm allowed to work as a courier--don't you need insurance or something?

kergin

P.S., superstar: this isn't the thread you wanted to start. You really wanted to post your question in this thread.

cupcrazy4

ok, thanks--I'll post there.

ryansexton

Just try it out. People make the job out to be slave labour. At the end of the summer you will at least be in better shape than you were at the beginning.

Just watch the Kids In The Hall skit about it, and then you're pro.

dayvan cowboy

"A bike courier, with a death wish, running on 2 hours' sleep"

JACQU3S

Plus you'll get to do a ton of easy québecoise girls... if you're in to that. (and I assume you are, judging by your age)

matkinstall

what he said.

it sounds like you're doing it for the right reasons: you want to get paid to ride. most lifers here in vancouver are either independent or ride for companies that wouldn't hire a rook. that is to say you shouldn't worry about taking bread off of anyone's plate.

it's slow in the summer so you aren't going to make much but you'll have fun and chit-chat with hot receptionists you'll never touch.

try to get on with a company that has a minimum daily earning. that way you'll at least make minimum wage.

oh, and don't die.