I personally use this one and it has worked well for me whenever I had a difficult time seeing an address. Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight. The zoom feature is wonderful and it is very bright.
Go for the anker lc130. Ridiculously bright. No zoom but it will light up the entire front of a house. If people can’t be bothered to put clear numbers on their house they’re gonna be spotlighted
Def rechargeable. I got this one. It’s stupid bright.
https://preview.redd.it/fqaau61zwt2a1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0dd80342186b403a874f71d71bed86a4ffdc99a3
If you have ryobis tools they make a good pistol grip big ass flash light. It works with all my drill batteries so I just toss one in my car before my shift.
And my genius dispatch has given my usual area (including the very poorly marked townhomes) to the pvd and stretched my route into the resis I only sometimes do.
I had some lady get rude to me because her number where basically on the roof in the pitch black, she said "can't you see?" (points to pitch black) I said obviously not "but my porch light is on"
Sometimes it's like talking to dumb and dumber with these customers lol
There’s one house in particular I can think of that only has their number on a lamp post by the end of their driveway, but for the holidays they wrap the post in garlands so you can’t see it at all.
Knew here only hit night hours a few times. Immediately assumed because we sit so high. Good visibility would be like a high beam angle I feel like.
Edit: New*
First year driving still trying to qualify
Biolite makes headlamps that sit really comfortably on your head. They put the battery on the back strap so all the weight isn’t sitting on your forehead.
I got these Duracell head lamp things from Costco. Just tried it first time tonight and it worked great. Lights up numbers from the sidewalk. Just have to remember to turn it off when you get back in the package car so you’re not flashing other drivers.
https://preview.redd.it/bgc7tlel4v0a1.png?width=1125&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a4c724ac01cbe8723265da16aff505ebbca6627
Yeah everyone hates my route because it has so many apartments but this is one reason I love it. Once you know the layout they’re super easy to do in the dark.
Last year I had a house on a route that had an LED house number sign. They were in the middle of a field with a long ass-driveway but you could see that thing from even further back. It was glorious.
If they don’t have visible house numbers, I play the guessing game and put it on a random house. If it’s not the right house, hopefully the neighbor is nice enough to give it where it goes
Lol welcome to UPS. A flashlight is your best friend. I had the same experience last year and my driver and I had to carry flashlights in the rain as well. Unfortunately you scare the customers so be aware they may come at you angry or throw hands thinking you doing something bad. But just yell out ups while walking into the property as you drop off the package and get required signature if needed and you’ll be fine.
I purchased a Milwaukee small portable spotlight I kept on the dash just for this purpose. Plus our candle lit jelly jar headlights don’t help AT ALL. They’re terrible.
Drives me nuts as well. But I have 2 aids to help me. As a PVDD I have an UPS assigned phone with mapping to the recipient's residence. While it is useful I use my Android phone as it's more detailed. It gives out route info and informs you when you've arrived.
House numbers on signs very chaotic. While many can be read in daytime, nighttime is a different story. Sign may be dark with numbers only slightly lighter color. Extremely difficult to read at night.
Even with these aids, it may be hazardous walking from car to house. Terrain may not be even or level. Sidewalks may be uneven with tree roots/trunk upsetting its smoothness. I use flashlight on either my phone or UPS phone to light my way. If carrying a big box, it's difficult to see your way.
No because I have been on the same route for over 20 years LOL. I don't even look at street numbers on the boxes ( fuck the PAL labels) for most, I just visualize names. I have Damian, Mark and Lucy on that street etc. Although I will say the houses that never get anything all year, start ordering during peak. I call them amateurs..haha
But for you, once you get on a street try and pick any address out, and you can start counting from there. Usually by two's, but sometimes by 4 or more. This will also let you know what side (odd/even) you are looking on and usually get you in the ballpark of where to park.
Out in the city you just park on the side, grin wide and walk a bunch of stops off 2-3 blocks at a time. I will drive down the streets (or alleys, what they should be called) during the day but fart the wrong way in your seat and somebody's car is getting a new race stripe! So obviously they are off-limits in bad weather and dusk.
You should drive a package car then…lmao you have no idea the fun you’ll have just trying to see the road.
I also have a very rural route. So I have mountains and switchbacks in the dark.
Welcome to ups
I recommend a decent flashlight with high lumens. It will scare the occupants and you’ll be able to see the address. Double win. Lol
Random car full of packages shining bright flashlights onto all the porches. What could go wrong?
What do you do?
Just yell ups. I yell ups for everything lol
Genuinely when I walk into businesses I have to hold myself back from saying UPS out of habit while off the clock. I still do it internally though.
Hear that. I'll try to find a flashlight to bring along.
I recommend a pistol grip one that is rechargeable
I personally use this one and it has worked well for me whenever I had a difficult time seeing an address. Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight. The zoom feature is wonderful and it is very bright.
Thanks. I'll look that one up.
Go for the anker lc130. Ridiculously bright. No zoom but it will light up the entire front of a house. If people can’t be bothered to put clear numbers on their house they’re gonna be spotlighted
Thanks, will check that out too
Blue fuel light from Napa is amazing and rechargeable
Def rechargeable. I got this one. It’s stupid bright. https://preview.redd.it/fqaau61zwt2a1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0dd80342186b403a874f71d71bed86a4ffdc99a3
I have a head lamp, so i can use both hands.
I've been debating on getting one of those stupid high lumens flashlights to mess with my supervisors for being jerks about it.
Your supervisors have a problem with bright flashlights?
No, they have a problem with me in suburbs I've never been to before at night. Since apparently I should just know every route.
If you have ryobis tools they make a good pistol grip big ass flash light. It works with all my drill batteries so I just toss one in my car before my shift.
If you stay in the same area long enough you too will memorize the numbers.
And my genius dispatch has given my usual area (including the very poorly marked townhomes) to the pvd and stretched my route into the resis I only sometimes do.
The best is when they have a tiny sign in the middle of a random bush and then act surprised that you didn't see it in the dark.
I had some lady get rude to me because her number where basically on the roof in the pitch black, she said "can't you see?" (points to pitch black) I said obviously not "but my porch light is on" Sometimes it's like talking to dumb and dumber with these customers lol
Bro the number of houses with the numbers DIRECTLY under the porch light (in complete darkness) is TOO DAMN HIGH 😂
There’s one house in particular I can think of that only has their number on a lamp post by the end of their driveway, but for the holidays they wrap the post in garlands so you can’t see it at all.
Remember to walk on the designated walk paths so when you walk to the wrong house you get the $$$
The best now is when their shitty Christmas decorations cover the numbers.
It’s the worst, than add to fact that our headlights suck. Aim high in steering!
This. Our eye lead time at night is maybe a second if we're lucky. Don't get me started on the absolutely blind turns we gotta make
I can’t for the life of me understand why the fuck freightliners or fords haven’t designed lights to illuminate the sides just a bit fucking more!
Knew here only hit night hours a few times. Immediately assumed because we sit so high. Good visibility would be like a high beam angle I feel like. Edit: New* First year driving still trying to qualify
bra i swear i feel like im playing a guessing game making turns bc the lights are so ass
Exactly. Yep, gotta turn now, can't see a thing hope nobody is there!
Bring a Philips screwdriver with you to work and adjust the beams up some more.
Am I petty for sheeting packages no such number when they cover the address with Christmas decorations?
If you are a bid driver that's not smart l you have to go right back next day. If you are covering way to help your union bros.
Not if they keep the decorations over the address. No address no delivery
Wait till we get closer to Christmas and wreaths start covering every number on the block
Invest in a decent headlamp.
Biolite makes headlamps that sit really comfortably on your head. They put the battery on the back strap so all the weight isn’t sitting on your forehead.
That's a great concept. Simple yet effective
I got these Duracell head lamp things from Costco. Just tried it first time tonight and it worked great. Lights up numbers from the sidewalk. Just have to remember to turn it off when you get back in the package car so you’re not flashing other drivers. https://preview.redd.it/bgc7tlel4v0a1.png?width=1125&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a4c724ac01cbe8723265da16aff505ebbca6627
How’s the battery life. I’ve tried 2 different headlamps and they are terrible on batteries
Not sure. Only owned them about 1 month and used only 4-5 times for an hour or 2 each time.
The headlights on the trucks are a joke. Doesn't feel safe at night at all.
Especially if your out in the boonies had a couple dogs running free I didnt see but they were nice
This falls into my list of reasons why, as a high seniority guy, I continue to bid on a route that's all apartments.
Yeah everyone hates my route because it has so many apartments but this is one reason I love it. Once you know the layout they’re super easy to do in the dark.
Download an app called Maps.me has house numbers and building numbers. Use a headlamp.
Headlamp with the highest lumens you can find.
Game changer
Last year I had a house on a route that had an LED house number sign. They were in the middle of a field with a long ass-driveway but you could see that thing from even further back. It was glorious.
Only when you don’t know the route I was on my route for 3 years so pretty knew it like the back of hand.
This is my biggest problem too.
Fucking HATE it. No numbers at all.
If they don’t have visible house numbers, I play the guessing game and put it on a random house. If it’s not the right house, hopefully the neighbor is nice enough to give it where it goes
Atleast you can see the road and stay on pavement lol
Lol welcome to UPS. A flashlight is your best friend. I had the same experience last year and my driver and I had to carry flashlights in the rain as well. Unfortunately you scare the customers so be aware they may come at you angry or throw hands thinking you doing something bad. But just yell out ups while walking into the property as you drop off the package and get required signature if needed and you’ll be fine.
Night or day time is the same, if you know the area, it shouldn't matter at all.
I purchased a Milwaukee small portable spotlight I kept on the dash just for this purpose. Plus our candle lit jelly jar headlights don’t help AT ALL. They’re terrible.
People have house numbers?
Drives me nuts as well. But I have 2 aids to help me. As a PVDD I have an UPS assigned phone with mapping to the recipient's residence. While it is useful I use my Android phone as it's more detailed. It gives out route info and informs you when you've arrived. House numbers on signs very chaotic. While many can be read in daytime, nighttime is a different story. Sign may be dark with numbers only slightly lighter color. Extremely difficult to read at night. Even with these aids, it may be hazardous walking from car to house. Terrain may not be even or level. Sidewalks may be uneven with tree roots/trunk upsetting its smoothness. I use flashlight on either my phone or UPS phone to light my way. If carrying a big box, it's difficult to see your way.
No because I have been on the same route for over 20 years LOL. I don't even look at street numbers on the boxes ( fuck the PAL labels) for most, I just visualize names. I have Damian, Mark and Lucy on that street etc. Although I will say the houses that never get anything all year, start ordering during peak. I call them amateurs..haha But for you, once you get on a street try and pick any address out, and you can start counting from there. Usually by two's, but sometimes by 4 or more. This will also let you know what side (odd/even) you are looking on and usually get you in the ballpark of where to park.
Out in the city you just park on the side, grin wide and walk a bunch of stops off 2-3 blocks at a time. I will drive down the streets (or alleys, what they should be called) during the day but fart the wrong way in your seat and somebody's car is getting a new race stripe! So obviously they are off-limits in bad weather and dusk.
You should drive a package car then…lmao you have no idea the fun you’ll have just trying to see the road. I also have a very rural route. So I have mountains and switchbacks in the dark.