The Couriers Behind The Wheel

meet your couriers during Driver Appreciation Week! 

Drivers are the backbone of the courier industry. Endless opportunities can be created but unless there's someone to reliably deliver that promise, it's a wasted effort.

This week we are celebrating Driver Appreciation Week and what better time to get to know some of the people behind the wheel? Couriers are incredibly hard-working folks. They make sure you receive critical deliveries for your business 24/7/365 and really do make the world go round, moving lives forward.

Most importantly, they have aspirations and interests outside of their role. Of our 200+ drivers, we interviewed nine and topics ranged from goals to their experiences as drivers and what inspires them the most. Here's what they had to say. Everyone, meet your drivers!

Joshua Messinger

What Do You Enjoy As A Courier? 

I have enjoyed long road trips and exploring this great nation my whole life. With Excel Courier they are enabling me to do exactly that and I get paid for it too.

Your Favorite Delivery?

I was sent to a New York airport to drop off a package. I loved seeing the cute conservative towns that you must pass through in New Jersey. Then shortly after I was able see the gorgeous sights of New York City, which are always inspiring.

What Are Challenges You Face In This Industry?

There was a lot of learning through trial and error. A lot of customers with a lot of different procedures. Proper training would not suffice and prepare the driver. Only through time and experience; I am able to discern each client's ethics and expectations.

Additionally, with the help of Dispatch, Andrew, and Ryan I was able to learn faster with actual helpful instruction and advice.

The Bible says “iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17, NKJV).

Olatunde Olawole

What Has Been Your Favorite Delivery?

My favorite delivery is the Rockville route. It runs from 9:30am - 5:30pm. It is a route that takes me to 6 major cities in Maryland. The beauty of the countryside can be experienced during the delivery.

What Do You Look Forward To At Work? 

Every day, I look forward to seeing my customers because they inspire me daily during my deliveries.

What Motivates You At Work?

I get motivated when customers tell me their experiences about how happy they feel getting their parts on time and also being part of their success story in achieving their target for the day.

Henry Cruz

How Has Driving Compared To Previous Jobs? 

Compared to previous jobs I really enjoy the flexibility that I get with this one. I can pick my own work schedule. If you need to take some time off you don't need to know the exact dates a month in advance like some other jobs. And you can work as much as you'd like, 8 hour days or 14 hour days.

What Is Your Favorite Thing To Do During Your Time Off? 

I like working on cars, which works out perfectly for this job since I have to do maintenance pretty often compared to most people.

Challenges You Face In This Industry?

Some challenges I faced was that gas prices increased. I drive a Prius now so it isn't too bad but my last car wasn't as fuel efficient so it was rough. Pockets were hurting 😂

Your Favorite Delivery?

My favorite delivery is probably Everett PA to Pearl River NY. It's a nice long drive and I leave for NY at 4am so I'm back with time to do more work locally.

What Do You Like About Being A Courier?

What I like about being a courier is that I am not in the same place all day. I get to drive around to new places all the time.

What Do You Look Forward To At Work? 

At work I look forward to driving. I might be one of the few people who genuinely likes to drive. I like road-tripping so getting paid to drive all day is cool by me.

What Motivates You At Work?

I motivate myself by always keeping in mind that the more I work the more I get paid so don't be lazy.

Daysi Castro 

What  Do You Enjoy As A Courier?

Every day you learn something new, either from the people around you or from the delivery you make. For example, those of us who deliver auto parts would never imagine the large or small parts needed for a car to work.

What's Your Idea Of A Perfect Day?

It's when the day is not so hot, no matter how busy it is but make it a cool day.

Your Favorite Thing To Do During Your Time Off?

Do puzzles on my phone 

How Does Driving Compare To Previous Jobs You've Had?

In the time I have been in the USA, it is the best job I have had because I have been able to enjoy my family like I never did before, because I am working and the ease of schedules and pay that Excel offers is of great help.

David Robles

Who Inspires You?

My oldest son Damian inspires me. Seeing my son grow throughout the years and starting high school and seeing how passionate he is about wrestling it’s a beautiful thing to see someone have a passion for something.

What Was Your First Paying Job?

My first job was at F.Y.E.. I was a cashier and we would sell DVDs, Video Games and all sorts of electronics.

What Do You Like About Being A Courier?

I like the freedom and flexibility that it gives me. I love the team I work with they are very understanding and have been nothing but supportive of me that I can honestly say I’m still lucky to be a part of this team!

Jeff Leach

Your Favorite Thing To Do During Your Time Off? 

I like to spend my off time with my two sons (ages 13 & 16) going camping. They are both Scouts, so I like to tag along whenever I can.

Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years? 

In 10 years, I hope that I am planning for retirement and doing a lot more traveling than I’ve been able to do during my active working years.

Industry Trends That Are Impacting Your Work?

The rising price of gas I think has impacted everyone, and it certainly has had an impact on us drivers. There are going to be more incentives available for electric and hybrid vehicles, so that is an area in general that I am paying close attention to and considering as I continue in this industry.

What Was Your First Paying Job? 

The first paying job I had was at Mcdonald's in high school. I started out cleaning out the dumpster (yuck) and scraping gum off the drive-through pad (blah), and then I worked the grill as well as the register.

Laura Thomas

A Recent Delivery That Stood Out To You?

I picked up jewelry for a customer who wanted to surprise his wife. It was very sweet. He asked me to call when I got there instead of knocking so he could surprise her.

What Motivates You At Work?