How?

[deristrong]

Been on packets / LAT's for a couple of weeks now. Don't know where I'm going half the time [out in the sticks in darkness]. If I started on time, did RON, Checked vehicle [properly), tried neighbours, (docket lefts), had a break etc I'd never get done. Is it possible? Guessing there'll be those who'll admit they can't do it and those who say they can.

[deristrong]

Should have mentioned I had a s**t van today I had to take back today due to the burning rubber smell!

[Smoothbackground]

The RON can be helpful but is far from perfect. Worth using use the Map View function to see where your drops are located as the RON can take you up the same close or road three times or make you cross heavy traffic more times than you need to — it works on a circular loop when route planning. You may identify that Drop 30 is in fact bang opposite Drop 3, yet RON wants you to visit the same road twice - after sending you four miles in the other direction!

You can set the start point with the postcode of your farm delivery so it makes it your first delivery point.

And organisation in the back of the van is key for speedy delivery. I load packets and parcels in tens, ie, drops 1-9, 10-19, 20-29 and so on, with the lowest numbers nearest the back doors, and use trays to keep small packets together so they don’t get lost under bigger parcels. Others use sacks instead of trays, but I prefer trays as you can stack smaller packets in number order, meaning you can quickly lay hands on the package without rummaging through a bag.

Mostly it is all just finding a way that works for you and learning the geography a bit better each time you go out. Good luck!

[ted_e_bear]

According to the posties at our place that do the Sunday parcels in areas they're not familiar with if you do Ron Ron it gives you an estimated timescale which is pretty accurate and surprisingly a bit generous.

I've worked a few days off recently on parcels and if it's on a compact estate that I know well it's possible to do 25-30 per hour with multiple drops and or drops for immediate neighbours plus if most folk are in,that's a best case for me, I'd be happy to aim for say 15-20 accounting for writing out cards and trying neighbours, however going out on one of our rurals that I also know well just due to the distances that would drop down to about 5 or 6.

So it's difficult to answer your question, if you're really overwhelmed then it'll be impossible to do it in the timescale, likewise if you don't know the area then same applies.

[ted_e_bear]

The RON can be helpful but is far from perfect. Worth using use the Map View function to see where your drops are located as the RON can take you up the same close or road three times or make you cross heavy traffic more times than you need to — it works on a circular loop when route planning. You may identify that Drop 30 is in fact bang opposite Drop 3, yet RON wants you to visit the same road twice - after sending you four miles in the other direction!

You can set the start point with the postcode of your farm delivery so it makes it your first delivery point.

And organisation in the back of the van is key for speedy delivery. I load packets and parcels in tens, ie, drops 1-9, 10-19, 20-29 and so on, with the lowest numbers nearest the back doors, and use trays to keep small packets together so they don’t get lost under bigger parcels. Others use sacks instead of trays, but I prefer trays as you can stack smaller packets in number order, meaning you can quickly lay hands on the package without rummaging through a bag.

Mostly it is all just finding a way that works for you and learning the geography a bit better each time you go out. Good luck!

Great advice, I've never used it and probably never will due to being on a regular duty and working in an office for years so that I know where everywhere is, although I'd be happy to have a go just out of interest, good to know that it creates a circular loop so that point about calls possibly being opposite is helpful, as you say after each time it will become easier, hope that info eases the op's concerns.

[Basildon Bond]

Some people miss the enable van loading toggle when looking at the list of items they have "RON'ed" in.

When you get a york or more of parcels I'd suggest slowing down at that point and taking your time. If you're at the office you're warm(er), dry and can spend a few more minutes getting organised. Don't think that one scan to RON is it and you can then chuck them into the back of the van. Sounds and feels the quickest method but often it is not. And don't think that delivering to the nearest place from the DO first is the best either.

You should take the time to understand the postcodes you are delivering to and the SECTOR - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcodes ... Formatting

Find some time to understand where the sectors are and what is further away - https://www.freemaptools.com/uk-postcode-map.htm

It's not going to be handed to you on a plate. You have to gain a bit of "the knowledge" for your local area so you know at a glance what postcode sector is close to the DO at which ones are far away.

You may be best starting way out in the sticks while you have daylight and work your way back into the area nearer the DO. You can set the starting postcode when submitting a RON list and while it may default to the DO it may be best change the starting postcode to that of one of the far away packets that is miles away from where you are and work in towards the DO.

1. RON all the items in. Optimise the list. Set the starting postcode to that of a remote/ troublesome postcode so you get there while it is still early/light.
2. In Outdoor, down the optimised list.
3. Get a Sharpie pen.
4. Toggle the van loading option and re-scan ALL of the packets while at the DO. Select the number of "zones" requires. The option/toggle is available from the top right-hand corner of the RON list in the Outdoor tile.
5. Write the zone (A,B, C, ... F) and number 1...105 etc. on the packet/parcel clearly.
6. Throw all the F's to the back far corner. E's next to them. D's nearer. C's even nearer. Etc.
7. Get the A's 1-10 or twenty etc. near the side door/back door and the first five in the front seat next to you.

Take plenty of P739 cards and off you go. When you're on a quiet back road jump in the back of the van are shuffle the next "zone" (B,C,D,E,F) into order and grab the next few (based on size) and pull them into the front with you. If you're in a dodgy area don't put things in the front of the van and always lock the van when you leave it. Use common sense.

[kazardaimenu]

Should have mentioned I had a s**t van today I had to take back today due to the burning rubber smell!

Sounds pretty standard for Royal Mail.