what was that? is that all there is? who is this? this is it.

Ten Years ago this week, I got a job as a bike messenger. I quit that job more than a few times and came back even more than that. Usually I would quit and switch companies or quit and run out of money and come back to the same company. Or quit when they said I couldn’t have a day off, then they’d hire me back the next day. Or quit and try some other manual labor job that makes riding a bike look good. That first messenger gig was going to be a summer job before I went back to grad school and then got a real job. But that summer has lasted ten years.

My friend 09 Dave worked there and told me they were hiring, so I went in. They asked if I had a bike, I said “hell yes, I have a bike…or two” then they pulled out a map of Seattle and read off addresses like 1730 Minor and 401 2nd South and 10 Harrison and asked me to point them out. Then they asked if I could start tomorrow, and I said “hell yes”

I showed up for work and there were two rules: always wear your purple jersey and/or vest and don’t ride on the sidewalk. They gave me a purple jersey and a brick of a radio. And that was it. I was out the door, dispatched a pickup at KIRO going to 1809 7th on a two hour. I was a bike messenger. Cleared that job in 14 minutes and then I got dispatched to pick up a stack of plane tickets from Business Travel NW and spent the next couple hours delivering them one at a time all over Seattle and earning about $6 total.

At Elliott Bay messenger company we had at least 15 riders and 15 drivers on the road. Bucky’s had just as many and often times more riders out there. As always, ABC had a shit load of bikes out there. There were more small legal companies too and more bike messengers in general. Turnover was high and soon I was “promoted” to the 7:30am start time, which was supposed to translate to more money. Actually it translated to working from 7:30 to 5:30 with lunch breaks most days and way too many miles ridden per dollar earned. But I learned a few things about Seattle messenger work and had to make some adjustments when I got an hourly job at a little legal company that took advantage of my work ethic right away and used me to their advantage. They continue to use me to their advantage today, but I’m making a little bit more money.

When I was a rookie I looked at guys like 75 Max and Erik Jahnz and Tim Mason and thought they were crazy and crusty and that they did things that didn’t make any sense. But now I realize they had it all figured out.

I know now what I knew then

yeah, I know now what I knew then

but I didn't know then what I know now

-modest mouse 

3 Comments

Yeah, E-Bay. I was coming in at 7:30 in two months, at that time I was also the most senior rider in the company. Remember the Dependability Bonus? They would keep 5% of your commission if you were late once in the pay period. By late they meant I had to be in my purple thing with a brick on my chest at 7:30, if I was late once they took my 5% leaving me with a commission of 45% per job. They also made it a fireable offence to actually know what the rates they charged were. This is why: 61 Matt. Yeah. Pick-up at AdServ (325 Westlake N), 15 minute to Wong Doody (216 1st Ave S). Copy, got it. Now I'm in the core, I scream to 325, grab the job and scream to 216 for the drop. I have blown every light in sight and taken many chances to get it there on time (as far as my tag was concerned). E-Bay charged AdServ $9 for that job, leaving me with $4.05 before taxes if I didn't make my D-Bonus. AdServ charged Wong Doody $35. How did I even make it 9 months there? Thanks to Jeff Clifford for suffering through 6 months of harassment and getting me my job at Stealth. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Case

oh the Bay, memories flow out like so much of last night cheep beer, in burning little dribbles. hey but here's to getting that 38% com.

Aside from the poor compensation there are 19 year old memories of messengers reading paperbacks in phone booths, shots at the market from off-duty Patrick, band rehearsals after hours, good mechanics working miracles with shitty parts, and knowing all the coffee/muffin vendors in town. It was a great job because of the other messengers.

Add Comment

Your Name: (Required)

Comment:

Please enter the 4 to 6 character security code:

(This is to prevent automated comments.)