Well, here’s this....
I have been working jobs that were ‘okay’ for the last several years. Back in 2019, I took a job that paid more than I’d ever made, doing something that was VERY different than what I’d been doing. I was hired in December...and in April, The Coof hit. In May, we were forced to shut down when our state did (WA). I was out for 6 weeks on emergency unemployment. We finally were allowed back, but I lost the job in July due to my boss being...”:well, “a jerk”. I lived off of money we had saved up until late September. I was getting desperate as those places I applied to didn’t want to hire someone nearing 60.
My oldest son (early 20’s) was also looking for work and decided to try his hand with Doordash. I went out with him for a couple of his first days to ‘show him the ropes’. While I was helping him out, I realized that I REALLY liked that kind of job. So, I also became a Dasher. Within a year, I was making as much as I was in my best-paying job. My son went on to another job, but I’m still Dashing. I’m making MORE than I ever have. It’s not stellar, but I’m loving what I do.
I have met other Dashers out there and a lot of them strike me as people who may have TRIED to get jobs, but there was ‘something’ that kept them out. Age, weight (I’ve met a few really overweight people), or the fact that they’re part-timing moms or dads (sometimes taking their kids out Dashing with them).
Every once in a while, we get a flood of new Dashers, thinking it’s ‘easy money’. They find out that they really DO have to work hard to do it right and get the good money, and they drop out.
Since I started back in October of ‘20, I’ve done just under 7000 Dashes. In our business, that’s pretty good.
The biggest drawback is...of course...gas prices. Plus, I have to do my best to keep my car in good working order (tires, oil changes, etc.) or I’m up the creek.
To tie it into the thread, pretty much EVERYWHERE I go- restaurants, grocery stores, and businesses I deliver to- I’m seeing and hearing “We’re Hiring”. At some of the grocery stores, I’m seeing MUCH older baggers and clerks than I’ve ever seen before. Even some of the fast-food workers are getting older.
Bookmark — every business in this area has raised wages but still can’t get workers