FAQ

1. What do I need equipment-wise
to be a messenger?

1. Hermes:
"The equipment
one NEEDS to be a messenger in America is: a bike, a bag, a lock, and usually
companies require you to have a helmet. If the company doesn’t require you to
use a helmet (and they’ll make it clear whether they do or not) then it’s a
personal decision. Other SUGGESTED equipment would be a roll of quarters in
NY, as you’ll most probably start off calling your dispatcher from a payphone
until they move you to a radio (if they use radios at all), and a map. If you’re
starting I recommend ALWAYS using a map. As time goes by perhaps you’ll no longer
need the map as often, but it’ll save your ass many a time by shaving off valuable
seconds from your delivery time, because you’ll make fewer mistakes if you look
up the addresses while you’re waiting for an elevator."

2.

TONE:
" In New York
the first thing you’ll need is a kryptonite three foot chain. I also recommend
using an “American” or “Multi-Lock” instead of the little horseshoe lock most
kryptonite chains come with. Definitely get a waterproof messenger bag (Manhattan
Portage is standard, Chrome is better in my opinion).. and get a big one.. for those nice Oversized
runs ($$). Of course you’ll need a bike, but I recommend getting one with good
brakes, unless you are a pro fixed rider. God knows how many times you have
to stop and slow down in New York traffic. You should also definitely have a
map. Get one of those foldable Manhattan only maps with the street numbers on
it (Hagstrom is good). Along with that, get a clipboard to keep your map flat
and your manifests crisp. If your company doesn’t issue you a radio or you don’t have a cell phone then you
HAVE TO HAVE loose change and a pager. You want work, don’t you? It’s also very
nice to have some serious rain gear. You want to be able
to work 8-10 hours in solid rain. If you don’t have good rain gear, you won’t
feel good, and your production will be slow. Courier companies love messengers
who come in regularly especially in the rain. Just don’t let them take advantage
of you if you are a rookie."

3. PIT:
"Therer are more dope bags out there, I personally go for PUSH bags, from
"push-the-envelope", Toronto…"

2. What kind of bike should
I use?

1. Hermes:
"This question
depends on one’s riding style. If you are a beginner I recommend starting with
a mountain bike with slick tires. Try to convert as many quick releases to allen
key bolts, or traditional bolts. I wouldn’t worry too much about the bike looking
too ‘new’(thus theoretically being thief-bait) your bike will look like shit
quickly enough without you having to go out of your way to make it look that
way. I would also rather opt for a bike that is slightly ‘too small’ rather
than ‘too large’. Bike shops tend to fit bikes to people without any understanding
of what bike geometry is best for urban riding. A shorter wheelbase (how far
apart the wheel are) is much more maneuverable than a longer, more ‘normal’
one.
If you’d rather use a road bike the plusses are: it’s faster, and has more precise
steering and control. The cons: it’s less comfortable, will probably be a bit
more expensive because it won’t hold up as well as a mountain bike, and it can’t
stop quite as fast as a mountain bike.
A ‘track’ bike’s pros: it’s the cheapest choice as it has fewer components to
buy, and less can break on it or be stolen, it’s very light and accelerates
quickly, and it can be a fun, flowing, almost spiritual kind of ride. Its cons:
it is the least "comfortable" choice, and you have to really learn
a whole new riding style to effectively use it in traffic."

2. TONE:

"I personally use a mountain bike with thinner slick Kevlar tires. I’d feel sorry for a bike that couldn’t
take the abuse I put it through with the hard way I ride and all the stuff I carry.
I’ve cracked two Spin mag wheels (three spoked), and broken god knows
how many spokes on conventional wheels. Now I ride with AreoSpoke mag wheels
(five spoked). If you are wondering… I like mag wheels because I don’t have
to true them, the heavy three foot chain can’t warp the spokes, and it’s much
easier to get the chain through the front wheel with mags especially during
cold wet weather where normally your fingers would get colder, dirtier, and
caught/cut up in conventional spokes. Just so you know I lock my frame and front
wheel to whatever (pole, banister, fence, etc.) and have a small little lock
through a hole in my quick release lever on my rear wheel which locks down to
the chainstay. I’ve never had a bike stolen yet. By the way I recommend either taping up your
frame or wrapping up your frame with old inner tubes. This protects your frame
from getting scuffed by whatever, including your own chain, as well as conceals
how nice your bike really might be to potential thieves. I don’t wrap or tape
up my own bike because I like the chipped paint look my chain gives to my bike
(it’s aluminum so it won’t rust), and I also deliberately peal and scrape off
any brand name stickers from my bike. This also helps to make the bike less
distinguishable from others if you happen to be chased by the cops for something
YOU DIDN’T DO"

3. Which kind of lock
is best?

1.Hermes:
"In New York you’ll need a lock that can lock your bike to a variety of
objects as you never know what you’re going to find to lock your bike to. Most
experienced messengers use a chain of some sort with a very strong padlock,
as this is although heavy, the best, most versatile choice. A U-Lock will probably
work, but simply has a higher chance of getting the bike stolen. In New York
a lock is absolutely essential. In many other cities a messenger can simply
lock the front wheel to the frame and lean it up against a wall (if they lock
it at all). In New York if the bike isn’t locked TO SOMETHING it will be gone.
Sometimes the thing it was locked to will also be gone. Sometimes parts of the
bike will be gone. One should be advised against becoming very attached to one’s
bike in New York."

2.

TONE:
" Heheheh… This is a good question which I could probably hold a seminar
on. Where shall I start.
GET A KRYPTONITE three foot quad chain! Most bike shops have them for about
$80 for messengers. If you know where to go, you can get them for $60. With
the kryptonite chain usually comes a small horseshoe lock. I don’t recommend
using this. Sell the lock to a rookie, a non messenger, or a motorcyclist who
can use it on their disc brake, WHATEVER. Buy an “American” lock or a “Multi-Lock”.
These are most popular among NYC messengers because they are relatively cheap
($20-$30) and versatile. Here are some pros and cons to various locks I know
of (straight from the thieves guild!)
American lock: They are relatively cheap. They can be left open while
still having the chain wrapped around your waist for fast lock up. The keys
are short and strong. The key plate is an hour glass shape which prevents drill
bits from turning because they get caught up… however from what I have heard
it can be broken into with a flathead screwdriver. A person can jam a flathead
between the keyhole cylinder and the hourglass shaped plate and wedge the plate
up. Apparently the pin, which holds the plate down, isn’t all that. Once the plate
is popped out the same screwdriver can be jammed into the keyhole cylinder and
wrenched around until the cylinder itself becomes detached within or something.
The result is the horseshoe bolt where your kryptonite chain is held just slides
right out. The thief gets your bike and a free kryptonite chain. Of course if
someone has bolt cutters a thief can cut right through the horseshoe bolt. Some
thieves carry cut off bolt cutters and a pair of steel pipes. With this they
can slip everything into a standard back pack. When they want to cut a lock
they simply slide the pipes on either end of the cut off clipper’s handles and
then they once again have the leverage to snap right through your lock and ride
away with your bike.
Multi-Loc(k): Pretty much the same as the American lock except it is
rectangular in shape. Another interesting feature of this lock is that the body
of the lock extends to somewhat cover the sides of the horseshoe bolt of the
lock. When the lock is closed with your kryptonite chain on it the extensions
from the body of the lock create an obstacle to bolt cutters because the clippers
can’t get the right angle on the bolt of the lock. This doesn’t stop the thief
from cutting the actual chain, but most thieves would prefer to cut the lock
and keep a free chain to sell. Multi-Locs also have the hourglass keyhole cylinder
plate to prevent drilling and I think they can be kept unlocked like the American
lock while wrapped around the waist for quick lock up.
St. Pierre lock: These use to be issued with Kryptonite chains. They
were slightly rectangular and triangular in shape. These are probably the BEST
locks to use with a kryptonite chain. There’s one MAJOR problem with them though.
The keys are cheaply made. They can’t take the abuse of a typical NYC messenger’s
lock up needs. All the pumping in and out as well as the turning with the key
done by a NYC messenger eventually causes the keys to break especially during
the winter when the cold weather makes the keys more brittle. I went through
a number of keys. Luckily a few times I was able to get the broken part of the
key out. Another time I couldn’t get the broken key out and even two locksmiths
couldn’t get into the lock. I ended up riding around with two locks on my chain,
one a “St. Pierre” and the other a “Master Lock”. I haven’t seen a St. Pierre
in a while though, so they may have disappeared all together.
Kryptonite mini horseshoe locks: These are/were standard issue with
Kryptonite chains. When Kryptonite first started to change from St. Pierre locks
to their own locks the locks were ok except for two factors. The cylindrical
keys, which, granted are incredibly hard to pick the locks of, would wear down
with the typical NYC messenger’s usage. In particular a little metal knob on
the key which guided it into the lock to align it with the tumblers and keep
the key in the chamber while turning would break off. This made the lock practically
useless. I also heard rumors from numerous sources that if you hit the lock
at a specific position with a hammer or other directed heavy object it would
jolt the locking pin/mechanism enough to bounce it and enable the horseshoe
bolt to open up without a key. For a while I haven’t heard about this, but I
have also heard from numerous sources that Kryptonite redesigned their lock.
I have also heard that since the redesign about 20% of the locks jam up and
won’t open.. sometimes with the chain wrapped around a bike or a person’s waist
and even with the key stuck in the lock itself. One messenger I know was forced
to slide the whole chain off his waist and had to cut through the lock bolt
with a hacksaw, so that he could still use the chain. Luckily he didn’t lock
the chain too tight in the first place.
Kryptonite Quad Chain: It’s heavy like any other three foot chain, but
the square link design (quad chain) makes it harder for bolt cutters to get
a good angle on the chain. Just like a krypto chain is essential for an NYC
messenger so are bolt cutters to an NYC thief. Quad chains force a bolt cutter’s
blade to put pressure down on at least one corner of a chain link. A thief risks
denting the blade of his cutters by trying to clip a quad chain. I have found
that Krypto Quad Chains are most comfortably held around the waist. This way
if you do have to rumble with a driver you don’t have to fumble with your chain
either in your bag or wrapped around your bike’s frame. Another advantage of
the chain is that you can lock up to more than just a thin pole. You can also
lock up multiple bikes and even use the chain for other uses.
Standard U-lock: These are the easiest for a thief to break through.
Basically a metal pole, a 2×4, or any crowbar can be slid between the bike frame
and the pole within the “U” then wrenched/levered until the lock is twisted
around and popped right off. It takes less than a minute for anyone to get through
these. Recently I have heard of one particular brand of U-lock, which is more
resistant to theft. A source of mine told me when attempting to crank the lock
off with a metal pipe the U-lock kept twisting around. It ended up looking like
a pretzel, but the bike was still there. I’m sorry to say I do not know the
brand name of this lock, but apparently the metals used in this lock are more
malleable and flexible which makes them resistant to the cranking technique
of U-lock theft. In this case instead of your lock popping off the U just keeps
twisting. I don’t know how resistant to bolt cutters this lock would be, but
I imagine the U would be thicker than a standard chain link. One great thing
about U-locks is that they are light and easy to carry.. particularly in the
rear pocket. I still wouldn’t recommend them for NYC messengers though.
Euro Locks: I have no idea what the names of these locks are, but that’s
what I call them because they are popular in Europe where apparently thieves
don’t exist. These locks are actually mounted on the bike frame around where
the breaks would be and are shaped like a “C”. Inside there is a bolt which
rotates or flips out of the “C” and goes through your wheel to the other side
of the lock. This locks the wheel so no one can ride off with your bike. This
of course does not prevent a thief from carrying a bike away, and in New York
it is just too easy to get lost in a crowd or walk around a corner, etc. Don’t
bother with these locks. They are cute and useful only in Europe.
So after this
course you should understand just about all the ins and outs of bike locks for New York
City. Again to simplify things.. just buy a krypto quad chain and an American
or Multi lock. If you are worried about the hourglass cylinder plate being screw
driven out then just check the plate occasionally for looseness. It might just
be that the plates get loose which allows the thief to get the flathead under
the plate.

4. Which company is best?

1. Hermes:
"Companies change
periodically, and it is a bad idea for us to make a list in this FAQ of ‘companies
to avoid’. If you get a chance to speak with messengers personally, I would
recommend asking them individually their opinions. Some guidelines I can, however,
offer: Larger companies will offer a less personal experience; they will care
less about who you are as a person and will treat you with less concern if you
have some difficulty on the job or in your personal life. They will also notice
less if you have done a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ job. The good side about big companies
is that they are almost constantly hiring, and it’s an easy place to start.
Also you will probably have more opportunity to take days off or work part-time
at a large company. Small companies will offer more of a ‘family’ (dysfunctional
family!)environment. They may hang out at a bar together Friday nights, may
stick around in the office after work, or on slow days and talk about life,
and may show more concern if you get hit by a car, or if you get sick. On the
other hand if you DO get sick, or want to take a day off, you may fine a small
company trying to pressure you into coming into work anyway, or firing you if
you don’t show up. This is because they need to keep a minimum number of messengers
on the street at any point in time. In general I would advise staying away from
companies who: Have an office that feels like a prison. Or don’t give you straight
answers to any questions you may ask them regarding how much they pay you. Or
who disrespect you in any way in the beginning. There are too many companies
in New York to warrant staying at a disrespectful company. Get the hell out
of there."

5. How do I find messenger
companies?

1. Hermes
"Open the phone book. Turn to the ‘Messengers’ or ‘Delivery Services’ or
‘Shipping’ section. Find names of companies; the big, bold names will be the
aforementioned ‘big’ companies, the ones in small print will be the ’small’
companies. Call them and ask if they use bicycle messengers."

6. Should I write/call
these companies and ask them to keep a position open for me?

1.
Hermes:"No. I
understand that if you are moving in from a foreign country, or another city
that you’d wonder if when you arrived, there’d be any companies hiring. Trust
me, there will be. It is very difficult for messengers from other cities to
understand just how many messengers and messenger companies we have here. We
have a lot. Just really. . . a whole bunch. Companies will most probably find
it bothersome if you call them, asking if they could keep a position open for
you."

2. TONE:
"The only time I would really worry about not being able to get a messenger job
is during the summer when some companies actually do have a hiring cap. If you’re
coming in from another city and already have experience then possibly talk to
a messenger in NYC to help direct you as well as recommend you to a place.
Most messengers work off of commission, so hiring
more people doesn’t effect the pockets of the owners. What it does do is thin
out the work for the regular dependable better riders from that company and
piss them off. That might mean the company might loose a few good riders
if they over hire because those riders will just get another job somewhere else.
Wanna-be messengers should also be aware of the effects of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Companies have gotten more strict about paperwork since they have to send their employees
into so many buildings with hyped up security.
"

7. Do I need to be a legal
worker? Will I need an ID?

1.Hermes: "Absolutely.
No companies that I know of will hire illegal workers. No way. That never happens.
Plus there’s NOWHERE in New York you can buy a fake ID. Forget it . . . . .
. (Buy me a bunch of beer sometime and ask me the question again.)"

2. TONE:
"I have always given my legit info at all the messenger
companies I’ve worked at. I don’t want to have Uncle Sam knocking at my door
for tax evasion or worry about medical bills when I’ve gone down in traffic
and technically I’m not working.. which means no worker’s compensation. After
the 9-11 terrorist attacks security has of course gotten more tight. International
messengers seem to be having a harder time finding messenger work these days."

8. How much money do you
make?

1.Hermes:
"There are a large variety of pay structures in the New York messenger
world. Some messengers are paid hourly, some by commission, some have a sort
of combination of the two. Point being: given a 40 hour work week a messenger
will make $350-$500 before taxes. Some few will earn up to $800 regularly each
week, but they are working long hours (like 50-60 each week). The amount of
money messengers make is of course, dependent upon how many deliveries need
to be done, which is in turn determined by many factors. It seems like the weather
sometimes. In general there are tendencies (in the Summer it’s slow, then in
the Fall business picks up, in the winter it’s normal but there are fewer messengers
on the road so each has more deliveries, and the Spring business picks up again),
but like the weather sometimes there are bad seasons, bad years, and of course
just bad days. It’s tough to predict. Is it enough to pay the bills? (Yes, but
not too much more. Most messengers are probably spending 50-60% of their earnings
on their food and bills)"

2. TONE: (8/5/00)
"It all depends on how much YOU work and how much actual work YOU get. At my
old company I would work from about 10am to 5/7pm doing about 20-30 runs a day,
which means $100-$130 each day. At the end of the week my check would vary after
taxes from about $320-$550. It’s certainly not a steady paycheck, but it’s definitely
beats minimum wage. The only thing you have to deal with are shitty working
conditions. It really takes a certain mentality, character of mind, and breed
of person to be an NYC messenger. You just have to decide if it is worth it.
The last company I worked at was Kozmo.com. There everything was different. Instead
of business to business I delivered from one base to mostly residences. I made
$10 an hour, $1 a run, plus any tips I might get. At kozmo I also had medical
and dental benefits. Benefits are totally unheard of in standard bike messenger
companies. It’s actually an interesting phenomenon in the industry. Usually
at Kozmo my check was over $400 or just under, but the tips push me over. During
the summer, like any messenger company, business is slow, so Kozmo had cut a day
off everyone’s schedule. In the end it all balanced out with Kozmo just a little
better… otherwise I wouldn’t have kep working there until they were about to go out of business.
Maybe they did so because they were actually treating there couriers in a more legitimate & professional manner."

9. Is it physically demanding?

1. Hermes
"Yes, it is. Not only does one have to be a strong cyclist, at times we
have to carry very heavy packages. But I would say that if you aren’t yet strong,
and you’d like to become a messenger, you WILL get strong by doing it."

2. TONE:
"That is an understatement. Have you ever used a stationary
bike in a gym while in the sauna? Of course it is physically demanding. Your
reflexes are tested every moment you are on a bike. Your stamina is also pushed
because you have to endure either hours of rain, inches of snow, or 90+ degree
plus 90% humidity along with the exhaust from the buses and waves of heat emanating
from the hoods of all those damned cabs as the sun reflects so nicely back at you off their shiny yellow hoods.
I recommend drinking lots of Orange Juice because I have heard Vitamin C fights the effects of pollution,
plus it is suppose to help fight colds, etc! You better believe
I drink about a case of unconcentrated OJ cartons a week. You can definitely get
in shape by messengering though.. just don’t end up in the shape of a cracked
egg all over the street under a garbage truck. "

10. Are there many women
doing it?

1. Hermes:
" Interestingly there are few women doing it. In New York in particular
I would estimate that there are only maybe 50-100 women on the road, which translates
to only 3-5% of the populace. "

2. TONE:
" No, but the ones who are on the road are, for the most part, really cool,
but if you treat them with disrespect you might have their own 3 foot chain
bashing into your skull, have their key scrape the length of your car’s paint job,
or end up coming on to your own hand since they just zoomed off on their bike, leaving you all by your lonely self."

11.How long do you work?

1. Hermes:
"Most messengers work around 8 1/2 hours a day. Some work up to 12 per
day! Some wander in at 1pm and only work ’till 5."

2. TONE:
"When I was a messenger I would crawl
out of bed to call in on the radio around 9-10am while still at home, then end
the day with a run headed up town around 6:30-7pm. Again it’s about 8 and a
half hours, but that of course includes most of my commute time."

12. Is it hard?

1. Hermes:
"Yes. It is a job where you’ll encounter people who’ll attempt to kill
you, disrespect you, and unwittingly put your life in danger. You’ll ride in
the worst weather imaginable, and deliver heavy, bulky items for an extra $1.
You’ll wake up tired in the morning and go to bed defeated. You’ll be bored
out of your mind sometimes, just sitting around and waiting.), and you’ll be
stressed to the breaking point. But then it depends what kind of person you
are."

2. TONE:
"I wouldn’t say it is hard. It is however incredibly dangerous, yet exhilaratingly
fun at the same time. I seriously consider it an extreme sport. Imagine running
with a pack of wolves made of metal as fast as you can with the wind in your
hair, but sometimes the wolves bite and you have to evade them as well as the
moving trees, called pedestrians, in this konkrete jungle we call New York.
I guess it’s hard. It’s definitely not for the weak hearted. OK, it is hard damn
it! Sometimes you wonder why you do it. Imagine getting a ridiculous ticket
from a cop, then getting a flat tire in the cold rain, and not allowed to walk
into the front entrance of a building because you are treated like a second class citizen
who has to take the freight elevator even though you are just carrying a little
envelope. Oh yeah, and because you are are grimy after fixing your filthy flat
no woman will look at you because you look like street trash. Don’t forget that
20 pound model’s portfolio still in your bag, which is late. Of course you won’t
forget because your dispatcher is calling you about it and wants to bombard
you with more work since half of the riders didn’t come in that day. You tell
me if it’s hard. I admit it is hard, but you sleep well after a good day of
physical work and you don’t have to worry about work deadlines or paperwork
carrying over to the next day like most office jobs. You also have a sense of
stamina and accomplishment knowing what you can endure both physically and mentally.
Of course there’s the rush too, and I don’t mean the 30 minute delivery.. I
mean the high of riding the line at full speed through traffic and the masses
of people while still making your delivery on time with no problem."

13. How many miles do you
ride?

1. Hermes:
" 40. . . . . no, seriously around 40. But the kind of riding we do is
difficult to compare with other kinds of riding, because we’re always stopping
and sprinting, and slowing and accelerating. Plus it’s broken up by periods
of waiting for elevators."

2. TONE:
"From what I hear the average rider does about
30-35 miles a day. Of course like Hermes says it’s completely broken up by the
multitude of deliveries you have to pick up and drop off. A New York City messenger
probably spends just as much time on the phone/radio, in elevators, at messenger centers,
and by receptionists’ desks as they do on the bike. All I know is I have
no problem biking 50-80 miles in a day full of camping gear on my rack up hills
while touring on my mountain bike, and I still can almost keep up with all the
yuppy weekend warriors on their titanium ultra light road racers and ultra tight
biking shorts and jerseys while I wear my grungy baggy clothes and have a three
foot chain around my waist. Does that explain it?"

14.How many deliveries do
you do?

1. Hermes:
"Most messengers either have a job where they either deliver lots of deliveries
for a small amount each, or a fewer number for more money each. The former does
30-45 a day, the latter does 14-24."

2. TONE:
"At my old company I would get depressed if I did less than twenty and felt proud when I did over
thirty. If you are a rookie don’t expect to be getting twenty a day though.
During the summer I was lucky when I got over twenty, although being the dispatcher’s
pet helps. During the other seasons if I didn’t break twenty I consider it pathetic
and dishonorable."

15. I want to be a messenger,
but I haven’t decided which city I want to work in. Do you have any recommendations?

1. Hermes
" Do you recommend NY?(Well. . . . if you have questions about another
city I’d refer to messengers.org and get in touch with the bma from that city.
As for New York I would definitely recommend messengering in New York to anyone."

2. TONE:
" New York it’s the traffic, the masses, and the constant buzz. SF has,
of course, its hills. Chicago, Minneapolis, and Toronto have their harsh winters.
I’ve only been a messenger in NYC, but that is what I have heard about other
cities. Personally I like the rush of risking my neck in the mine field of bumpers.
In NYC the summers get hot and sticky while the winters get wet, icy, and cold…
all enough for my tastes. All have some form of messenger community. In NYC
there are thousands of messengers. It’s just that not all the thousand hang
out together, so our community is about as large as any other cities. I was
born and raised in the Big Apple, so I am biased. I have been to other cities,
but you tell me which one has the most to offer? I will admit that rent’s a bitch though."

16. I’m moving to NY and.
. . how tough is it to find a place to live? HOW do I find a place?

1. Hermes:
" Finding a place to live is the most difficult part of moving to New York.
You will have to devote a few weeks,(perhaps a whole month) to finding a place,
during which time I would recommend working only part time. I have found it
a useful tactic to first choose a neighborhood in an area that sounds reasonable
to live in, and then find a real estate office in that neighborhood and ask
them to show you what you have. It should cost less than $2000 to move into
a 2 bedroom apartment in a cheap area."

2. TONE:
"I’ve lived in NYC all my life and I find it hard to find places to live,
at least places within my price range. Anywhere on the Island of Manhattan is expensive or progressively
small. Usually you have to have room mates too. You can of course find cheaper
places to live in other boroughs of New York, like Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx,
Staten Island, or even out in New Jersey. Again, usually you will have to have room mates on a messenger paycheck.
It tends to get cheaper the farther
you are from Manhattan though, but of course your commute time is higher. I
recommend staying at a youth hostel or finding a friend in NYC to stay with
for a few weeks until you find a place. Don’t tell them that you will probably
end up staying a month or two while working part time. Of course you should
help out by paying up some money for the bills and groceries. How do you find
a place? ANYWAY YOU CAN! From word of mouth, through the newspapers, going to
real estate agencies, and even flyering yourself."

17. Can I come over and
couch surf?

1. Hermes:
" If you’re lucky; New York is a cramped city, with little space in apartments.
Sometimes you can find someone to stay with, but often people simply won’t have
space for another person.) Where do most messengers live?(Messengers live all
over the place here, mostly in cheap areas of each part of the city you’re going
to find messengers."

2. TONE:
"Yeah sure. I have an extra bedroom I don’t use. Just e-mail me, and I’ll
make up the bed, then have my local locksmith make a copy of my key for you
to hold on to. I’ll even go to the wholesale market and buy you a barrel of
chocolate mints to put on your pillow each day while you are away at work, and
I stay home to make your bed, do your laundry and set a table for a three course
dinner. ARE YOU FOR REAL! Who asked this question. I probably don’t know you, and even if I did you
would be lucky if my other room mates were cool with you sleeping on the couch."

18. Do many messengers
do it as a career? How long do most messengers do it?

1. Hermes:
" After someone starts messengering they will quickly find out if they’re
cut out for it. Hence probably MOST people who start quit after 3 or 4 weeks.
If they make it past 3 months or so, they will probably be at it for a few years.
Very few messengers are ‘career’ messengers. Most find that messengering is
something they only want to, and CAN do for a short period of time, say 3-4
years. There are a few that have been messengering 20 or more years. They are
scary people. In my personal experience it is the quality of the messenger community
and the financial viability of messengering that are the deciding factors that
determine how long a messenger will last. If their city has a BMA, and/or a
messenger scene that they’re active in, then they will tend to continue messengering
for years. Also if a messenger is making enough money to save up to actually
(heaven forbid) go on a holiday, and relax periodically, they will tend to remain
a messenger longer."

2. TONE:
"Most would-be/wanna-be messengers find out how long they will be a messenger
for after the end of their second week of work when they get their first check.
Some people don’t even bother coming to pick up their second checks. I’ve even
heard numerous stories of rookie messengers disappearing by lunchtime on their
first day of work. Seriously in the beginning it REALLY sucks. Dispatchers treat
you like shit and don’t respect you because they don’t know how good you might
be or even if you are going to last. After a month to three months when you
prove yourself then you start to fit in and get the mint runs, that is of course
if you are any good. Also if you have been a messenger in another city or another
company (Don’t brag!) you will come off as hopefully being professional and
after a few short test runs your dispatcher will know how good you really are
and you’ll start fitting in faster. There are a number of messengers who do
it long term. By long term I mean more than five years. So many people move
on to other things. If they don’t then they sometimes become dispatchers, drivers, or
start up their own companies. Only a small handful of bikers will actually stay
on a bike for twenty years plus. Those are the vets and they get mad props from
all the messengers, but like Hermes said.. some of them are a bit loose in the
noodle. Personally I have worked full time as a messenger since the summer of
‘97 for about three to four years. Before that I was a messenger for the two summers while in
school. I have always ridden a bike in New York though, and I still keep a strong connection to the messenger community.
I keep telling myself I will stop messengering by such and such time, but find myself still immersed
in it. I know one thing.. no matter what I do I will always ride and know I have
a place where I can fit in… even if it means a tight fit against a taxi and
a bus with my shoulder sliding along the bus. At least I will be happy. Do you
consider it a career? I guess I look at it as a lifestyle."

19. I’m thinking about
starting my own messenger company. ..

1. Hermes:
"Go to messengers.org > "Going Indy". They have everything
you need."

2. TONE:
"That’s nice…. how much do you pay your messengers? How many clients
do you have? How much is your overhead? Have you been a messenger yourself?
As a good rider I will tell you straight up that I won’t respect you as a boss
much if you haven’t been on the road… unless of course you let me do my “thing”
to get whatever it is to wherever it has to go on time my way and pay me well
to do it. You should realize just how many messenger companies there are and
how much competition there is. Personally I think it’s the quality of your riders
that makes a difference, so how much do you really care about them versus the
money? Also if you are thinking of starting one, you damn sure as hell should
know something about the industry/business. Otherwise you will just fall flat
on your face. Let me know if you are still around in a year or two. If you are
any good I’ll hear about it from other messengers though, otherwise you don’t
exist to me. "

20. I’m writing a book/taking pictures/making a movie(documentary) about messengers.
Could you put me in touch with some. . tell me when your next event is. . .
help me gather some together to be filmed?

1.Hermes
"In general it should be known that we’re a bit jaded about this subject.
We have encountered a number of journalists/artists/advertisers who seem to
have the notion that they’re doing a favor for messengers by ‘honoring’ us with
cataloging our doings in general. This concept DOES work with rookies; or those
few messengers who are good enough in their hearts to ignore the fact that they
are being used. For the most part, however, messengers will be very willing
to give if they feel that they are first being GIVEN something tangible by the
journalist/artist/advertiser. My recommendation is for the party that wants
something from us to be prepared to meet us at the bar and buy us a lot of beer.
I understand that often you may feel that your story/movie/billboard will be
real important, but you may be interested to learn that it may be quite unimportant
to us."

2. TONE:
"I don’t drink beer, but I would like something
tangible from anyone who might be working on a messenger related project who
also gets assistance from me. This means at least a copy of the magazine, which an article
about messengers might be in, a copy of a book or calendar, a print of a photograph
taken, or a video tape of a documentary I am interviewed in, etc. Also the person/party
who would like to work on a project affiliated with messengers should keep in
mind that they were the ones, who contacted me/us, and should adjust their schedule
to ours. Most messengers have to work hard and long hours to make the rent,
so anyone who wants a piece of our time should be willing to accept that factor,
otherwise pay up for the time, and I would highly recommend considering monetary compensation of some sort.
Messengers will respect you more and feel they are being treated in a professional manner.
For god’s sake at least buy a messenger a lunch
or dinner, etc., and respect the fact that a messenger is in the business of
delivering quickly. Don’t expect a messenger to sit in front of a camera and
look pretty while on the job, unless they are total rookies or unprofessional.
Real messengers can’t stay put for too long. You should also never expect messengers
to jump at the immediate chance to do an interview, shoot, or whatever which has a dealine of a less than two days.
Organzing messengers for such projects takes time. We are not sitting around at a casting or modelling agency."