EVERYDAY LIFE
It’s a regular Wednesday night, and you’re eagerly tracking the package that holds the brand-new air fryer you’ll use to finally make those zucchini bites you saw on TikTok, making you the envy of the vegan cookout.
You’ve been watching that little dot on the map inch closer to your home like a Christmas miracle.
Finally, your dog barks in alertness. You hear the distinct hum of an engine, and then a van door sliding open, some footsteps… and there it is: your online order, right at your doorstep.
But have you ever wondered about the person behind that delivery?
Delivery drivers of West Texas aren’t just going house to house bringing gifts like modern-day Santas.
They’re working under strict deadlines, navigating confusing apartment complexes, and power-walking in the same heat that makes people want to abandon yard work after just 10 minutes outside.
Here are 8 things these superheroes wish they could tell you
Please leash your dog
I’m sure your furry friend is just a big ol’ sweetie pie… to you. But imagine being a stranger approaching a dog’s territory with only a cardboard box between you and their increasingly agitated scowl. Everyone loves a good pup to brighten their day, but the safest, most responsible thing you can do is keep your dog inside, leashed, or held from a safe distance.
Your hidden house numbers are … concerning
Is your home hidden behind a wall of cacti? Is your address so faded it would take superhero vision to spot it? Do you not have numbers at all? That’s not just inconvenient. It’s concerning. If we can’t find your house, how will emergency services in a real crisis?
You don’t have to come outside – really
Unless we need a signature, staying indoors actually speeds things up for both of us. Don’t worry, we are going as fast as we can.
We only ask for your name because we have to
We promise, delivery drivers aren’t out to steal your identity. It’s just part of the process. A nickname works fine if you’d rather not share the real deal. We won’t judge.
We love making people smile
Nothing beats watching someone light up when their long-awaited espresso machine finally arrives. It’s the little things that make the job worth it.
Apartments are confusing
Sometimes deliveries are delayed simply because we’ve been running around trying to figure out which building is yours. If there’s an option to leave delivery notes, pointing out the building number or a landmark really helps.
Stairs… so many stairs!
That’s it. That’s the bullet point.
We are people, too!
At the end of the day, all we really ask is that you remember the human behind the package.
FAST FACTS
According to industry-analytics giant IBISWorld, there were an estimated 1,653,945 couriers and local delivery services drivers working in America in 2024. This number represents a 5.13-percent increase from 1,573,236 in 2023. This figure includes various types of delivery drivers, such as those working for courier companies, food delivery services, and other local delivery businesses.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also tracks data for specific types of drivers, such as delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers, and projects employment for this group to grow by 9 percent from 2023 to 2033. This projection assumes continued demand for delivery drivers, with an average of 183,800 job openings projected each year.
