Blue Mile

Blue Mile Transport Employee Guidelines and Expectations

• As a DA for Blue Mile, delivering packages to Amazon Customers, you are expected to complete your job safely, to required standards and within the time frame given.

The Following guidelines and expectations are to be reviewed and acknowledged before you get on the road:

• Safety is our number one concern for all DAs on the road. Your metrics regarding both safety and delivery will be looked at and considered for the number of days you are scheduled to be on the road. In addition you will be required to complete courses regarding safety and delivery standards as required by the company.
• Your Routes are generated by Amazon’s Central Cortex, every morning at roughly 9:20am. Once those Routes are generated, your Route is your Route. We will not change any routes, without an absolute need to address an issue.
• Throughout the year we may adjust our or have additional loadout/start times for multiple waves. To be clear your load out time can change. However, the guide for your start time is as such: Start time 10am; you should be at the offsite by 9:30am and clocked in by 9:45am and ready to be in your trucks/vans by 9:55am.
• At Blue Mile we have a uniform way of loading our trucks and you will be required to learn and load your truck in the same manner. During peak season we get in excess of 350 packages on each route, by loading your vehicle in this manner we ensure all packages are taken. * DAs are not allowed to “cube out”, or not take all packages.
• Callouts are not accepted at Blue Mile. Your schedules are created and confirmed, by you, more than a week in advance. You as the DA are required to find a replacement for a planned callout. Meaning if you know you need a certain day off, you need to contact a colleague and get a replacement for yourself. For same day callouts, you will need a valid excuse in order to not receive a write up. Valid excuses will require written documentation, such as a hospital or doctors note, regardless of it being for you or a family member.
• Bonuses and incentives are available throughout the year. Although, there are specific criteria to be eligible for each bonus, failure to comply with any of the company guidelines and expectations may warrant your removal from the bonus list and anytime.
• At Blue Mile we have an open-door policy for all DAs. Should you have any issue, please address said issue with your immediate manager. Should the issue be about your manager, you should address the issue with an owner. Note: We have high expectations and are very demanding with job performance, and we hold all DAs accountable for their job performance.

Morning Routine

Every morning we begin with a “stand up” prior to gathering the pouches, route numbers and going to our designated van.

• As you arrive at the Van you will be using for the day, begin logging into the Mentor App using your previously given email: bluemileda#@gmail.com (note: the # is the number you were assigned by HR), Password Blue2080! Go though the prompts and scanning the QR Code in the pouch (If you have any issues scanning there is a QR code on the Van ID laminate and the inside of the door panel)
• Make sure you check the exterior of the Van for Damage, if there is any damage DO NOT hit the thumbs down on the mentor app Hit the THUMBS UP Button, then take any pictures you believe is previous damage to the Van, with the RABBIT/PHONE and send it to dispatch... If you are not sure of it, take a picture anyway. Finish starting up the mentor app.
• Once that is complete you can get in the Van, get into formation and get in line at the station at the designated time
• Turn on your hazard lights, roll your driver side window down, have your seat belt on, keep the music off or low and do not use your phone while getting into the loading area.
• Make sure that as you are waiting in line to go into the loading area that you log into Amazon Flex using your bluemileda#@gmail.com ID and blue2080 password. Go through the questions and add the mileage. DO NOT SWIPE TO FINISH!!! Hit SCAN PACKAGES greyed out above it!!!
• Once in the loading area keep a look out for the Amazon personnel to give you directions on when and where to file into the canopy. DO NOT EXIT YOUR VANs UNITL YOU HEAR THE WHISLTE!
• WE HAVE 15 MINS TO LOAD OUT. IF AT 15 MINS YOU ARE STILL NOT LOADED, GET EVERYTHING IN THE VAN AND FINISH YOUR LOADING AND SCANNING OUTSIDE OF THE CANOPY!
• After you are parked under the canopy look on your screen of your rabbits’ for your Staging number.

EXAMPLE STG. B 04... You will look for these staging areas on the floor with a large QR Code. Your CART will be with a CX # or Route Number on it, but focus on the STG Area Number, all carts within that area is yours... SCAN the CARTs to load them into your itinerary, if it turns green it is yours, RED is not.

DO NOT SWIPE to FINISH until you have completely loaded your van. If you are missing a CART find someone from Dispatch.

• Bring out all carts and begin loading your Van the way you were trained with your Blue Mile Trainer.
• Remember to Scan all Carts and organize overflow packages by Zone. Keep yourself organized from the morning.
• Once you are finished scanning and are loaded up and still have time, go help one of your teammates finish loading.
• Once everyone is loaded or the 15 minutes are up, hop in your Van and swipe your rabbit to start deliveries and go to your first stop. Make sure your SWIPE to FINSH, before you start driving.
• Once you leave the canopy, make sure to break the GEO fence before you make any stops near the station. Meaning if you must stop and use the restroom at the station, go around the block of our offsite parking first, then stop at the station.
• Get to your first stops and focus on keep moving, do not get stuck looking for a package or an address, skip it if it is not in the bag stated, or if you are driving more than 5mins looking.

Returning to Station

• First and foremost, Rescues are not an option, it is a part of your job when dispatch tells you “We need help”. Refusal can result in bonus loss, loss of work hours, suspension and/or termination.
• You need to put GAS in your van every night, at the end of every shift, no exceptions!
• Begin RTS by driving under the canopy and parking in one of the bays, make sure to leave the first isle open and available for Amazon, that will be the one closest to the building.
• Grab your totes and take them to the bins/carts to stack them and begin your debrief process with one of the Amazon RTS people. Make sure to tell them about any issues you faced while delivering and about any packages that still show “out for delivery” that were delivered. Show them pictures if needed.
• Drive to our offsite once you are done with Amazon, Dispatch will come outside to inspect the Van and make sure there was no damage to the van, and you should grab the broom and quickly sweep the back of the van. Keep your work area clean, throw out your garbage.
• Swipe to arrive and log out of Amazon Flex, once you complete that End Route in Mentor and log out of there as well. END WORK and ROUTE in all work APPs.
• Once dispatch gives the OK, go ahead and park the van in the correct spot, following the numbers on the floor (as close as possible). If anything happens at the off site, let dispatch know so that it can be logged, you do not want to leave an issue for the morning and we are unable to prepare for it. Example, hitting the van while parking.
• Make sure to collect all of your belonging and anything that needs to go back into the pouch you received in the morning.
• Bring the pouch and its belongings back to dispatch for them to ensure everything is there for the next Delivery Assistant the next morning. Be sure to tell dispatch of anything you used that needs to be charged for the following morning.
• Sign the Time on your GAS Receipt, place items in the correct spots and Clock Out, you are good to go for the night.

Safety Guidelines for Blue Mile Employees

Many on the road incidents can be avoided if we follow the safety guidelines given to us, and listen to the daily reminders for safety tips, prior to getting on the road.

This is to serve as a reminder that we need to follow the safety guidelines at all times in order to avoid real issues when accidents happen.
Certain safety violations will have a stricter consequence with moving forward and others will be absolutely necessary in order for you to continue to be on the road.

Necessary – Speeding, Stop Sign/Light & Seatbelt
More Strict – Distracted Driving, Phone Manipulation & Unsafe Driving Distance

The following items must be followed and DAs must comply with in order to be on the road. Failure to follow these rules will result in a write up, along with a suspension from being on the road and could result in termination from your position.

• Going onto a customer’s driveway. (May result in suspension from being on the road, if you get stuck.) You should not go on any driveway for any reason, long driveways, dirt roads to driveways, are the exceptions, however, call the customer first and if they do not answer, mark unable to access. Make sure to call the customer after you mark unable to deliver, or you will still be required to go back to the address and attempt the delivery, again.
• Not turning off the ignition and removing the keys from the ignition. This should happen at every stop, no ifs, ands or buts, there is a reason this is a safety requirement and it is to avoid human and mechanical error on the vehicles when the DA is exiting it. (We will begin checking this to see the number of times the vehicle was turned off is different {less} from the number of stops the DA had for the day)
• Exiting the van from the Driver side door. You must exit the van leaving through the side door, it is for your safety and the safety of others that are around your vehicle.

Things to Cover Before Getting on the Road

• Safety is a huge concern for us, Amazon and more importantly yourself. We will be tracking your movements with the vans as you drive and deliver packages. Incidents or accidents can most of the time be avoided, so take your time and drive safely first, then go about ensuring the customer is satisfied with your delivery efforts. Keep in mind that too many points deducted from Amazon’s FICO score will keep you from working, as we will not schedule you as often, essentially cutting into your weekly work hours. This is a group effort, and we are as strong as our weakest link.
• Blue Mile will uphold a penalty system, depending on the gravity of the incident we may have to server ties with you on the spot, but for the most part there will not be a 3rd conversation about you driving more safely and avoiding getting into incidents.
• Again, this is a group effort, there will be incentives for the entire crew if we can successfully deliver our packages on time, safely with all of our metrics in mind. If achieved as a group, a group reward will be given... in essence a bonus and something for us to celebrate a milestone achieved.
• For the people that are new to this sort of Job, make sure to ask you colleagues that have been doing this longer for pointers and what to look out for, also remember that on each of your devices we have the numbers to each of the other vans which you can ask each other questions if unsure of what to do when a situation arises. Such as, a dog hanging out in front of the house, or how to slowly attempt to get yourself out of a ditch. <<< DON’T DO THAT!!!!
• That being said, you will also have direct NUMBERS to dispatch and management should you need any directive on what to do on a specific delivery, or in any case that you need information, direction and obviously during any emergencies. BMT STATION # 401 425 1894
• The vans are big and wide, so make sure that when you are taking any turns you are gaging the movement around you and making the turns a little wider than you usually would with your vehicle. NOTE: the check point on these vehicles are the front of the back tires.
• Be vigilante out there, there are things that you cannot control, however you can be smart about how you approach a situation. When in doubt, call DISPATCH.
• Your attitude towards anything will dictate how that experience goes, so be positive, keep your calm and worry about getting the job done in the safest and best way possible. Customers will be rude and might yell in frustration, just remember to KTWK (Kill them with KINDNESS). As soon as you see the situation deteriorating, offer to be as helpful as possible, apologize and give the customer the number to customer service (1 877 252 2701) and see if there is anything you can do to help... Such as helping them initiate the call, then passing the phone while bidding adieu!
• Being respectful in the field is expected of all DA’s.. If something happens such as an accident or simple property damage incident, DO THE RIGHT THING! Stop, make sure you are ok, check on others or other things, call 911 if needed, hopefully it is not, then call dispatch for further direction.
• Have Fun out there, you work hard 4 days are off 3 and get to meet different people and deal situations everyday, Basically, there is never a dull moment!

Blue Mile Transport Basics

We are a third party company that works out of an Amazon building, delivering Amazon packages, to Amazon customers.

Although, you will be out there on your own for most of the day, the vehicle is equipped with a number of sensors, along with you logging into GEO point Applications, in order for us and Amazon to track your safety metrics on the road. We can also see your progress while delivering, however, no news throughout the day is good news. Unless there is a major issue we will not bother you throughout the day. If you are being unsafe, such as speeding, hard braking, etc or if there is a customer escalation, meaning the customer called and requested something, then we will be contacting you during your route.

Your typical day will start here at _____ AM (RI = 9:30am/MA = 10:30am). We will meet for a standup meeting to go over safety tips, weather issues, information from ourselves or Amazon, etc... You will also be picking up your Tool Kit for the day, this is a bag with a number of items inside, including, but not limited to: Keys , Rabbit(phone), wires, battery, QR Code, flashlight, etc… Then we go to our vans and start logging into the different Applications we need for the day. (MA will need to go into their vehicles and drive to the off parking in the rear, park in the middle and switch vehicles). We then line up for “loadout” and we begin loading our trucks. The key here is to keep yourself organized and we have a standard operating procedure that we teach you for you to load your vans.

Once you are done loading, we leave the station and get to our first stops, finish out the day. The goal is to deliver between 18 and 22 stops an hour. Once you are done with your entire route, you are required to call Dispatch, (although we can see your progress, we still require you to call) and let them know that you are done with your route. The conversation then will go one of two ways: first possibility; “Hey so and so is close to your and they are struggling, had some issues throughout the day and they are behind, I need you to go rescue them”, that is a part of your job, you will go to that person and grab 20 – 30 or more stops and get them back on track. Second; “Hey, everyone looks good, it is up to you if you want to stay out or comeback”, then the choice is yours, if you wish to accrue additional hours, we can find someone for you to go help, but if you are tired and would prefer to comeback to station, no problem, do so. (Note; the only time you will be required to do more than one rescue per day is during peak seasons, such as the month of December.).

Once you are told to return to station or RTS, you will have already told dispatch if you had any issues with a delivery or an “open delivery”, however once you come back to the station Amazon personnel will ask you the same question about the open deliveries, like a double check, before they put the package back into rotation for the following day. Then you have dispatch check your van for any issues, you park and then return your tool kit from the morning and clock out, then back at it the following shift.

Couple things to note:
• Amazon is typically mistaken for a retail company… it is not, it is a tech company, everything is ran on algorithms, programs and number driven. All the packages that get on to your van, were scanned from the original warehouse, to the 18 wheeler, to the distribution center, then to another 18 wheeler, then to the logistics center, then to a tote, then a staging area, then you scan it on to your van, then your scan it at the delivery point… Meaning they can see everything, so although you can get away with stealing, you will get caught eventually, so do not do it, it affects the individuals next to you, and that said, comes to the second note.
• We are very data driven and teamwork oriented. Our goal is to teach and address short comings. This business is driven by data, and the metrics that are logged are measured. With that data Amazon created a metric system and our bonus structure for delivering packages the way Amazon wants is solely based on those factors. Hence, “what you do affects person next to your”. If we deliver the way Amazon wants, they provide a bonus per package delivered with those metrics, so our goal is to hit the bonus every week. That is where the team work and training kick in.
• Lastly and most importantly, Safety, Safety ,Safety…. That is what we are about, we drive safely. For 8 to 10 hours daily, we deliver packages safely as well, but second to driving safely. There are metrics for these as well and they affect your hours and tenureship.

What you need to do during the hiring process.
(WE ARE ALL ABOUT SAFETY!)

1. You are here filling out the Application and submitting your information in a portal for a background check. Once completed you will go take a driving test, which must be passed.
2. Once your background check comes back without any issue, you must return here as soon as possible to pick up your lab receipt for the DOT 5 panel drug screen and your training study packet. (This packet will help you get ready for the Blue Mile training exam and has important safety guidelines which you will see in both training courses)
3. You must complete the DOT 5 panel drug screen within 48 hours of receiving the receipt, that’s 2 days (working days). IT DOES INCLUDE MARIJUANA! Also, you will be expected to know the material in the packet and be able to pass two exams. 1 exam is with Amazon which must be passed with an 80% or higher and the other with Blue Mile, which must be passed with a 74% or higher. SO, STUDY! You will need to know all of this to do your job correctly!
4. Drug Screen returns negative, you will receive notification of your results, contact us immediately to schedule your first day of in class Amazon training, you will also start setting up your payroll in our system for you to officially start training.
5. You must be on time for your scheduled Amazon class training, at 7:45am, address 115 Dupont Dr Providence, RI 02907, it is down the street from the off-site. You must pass the Amazon exam with an 80% or higher, once completed go to the off-site before you leave to speak to the hiring manager.
6. After you pass the written exam with Amazon you will need to return within 24 hours to take a driving. Test with Amazon./li>
7. Once you pass the driving test you will need to return to the off-site to schedule your 1st day of training with Blue Mile. You will be in a classroom first, take a test and get 74% or better, then an on the road exam which must be passed with an 84% or better.

A few Notes: READ, so there are no surprises!
• Amazon training is paid at a rate of $10/hour, up to 15 hours. This whole course can be comfortably completed in less than 15 hours, so we have a cut off even if it takes you longer!
• You have specific time frames to complete your tasks for employment, do not let them laps or pass too much time as you will be required to start over if you wish to seek employment with us.
• If you do not pass the Amazon test the first time, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TAKE IT AGAIN, without speaking to the instructor or contacting the Blue Mile hiring manager first.
• There are two Blue Mile Road tests and one written exam, first is today to make sure you can drive the van, then after you take your written exam you will be going to the road for an on the road exam which must be passed with an 84% safety score or better.