Trend Toward Online Shopping Means Busy Season For Delivery Agents
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Shipping companies have said they are moving more packages this season than ever before.
As a result, the people doing the footwork are under tremendously increased pressure.
As CBS 2's Lou Young reported, ascending the stairs in Manhattan, FedEx deliveryman Robert Calero knows he cannot take time to slow down. He has been making between 90 and 110 stops a day as Christmas approaches.
But in his 16th season on the job, Calero has noticed a change in pattern, with most presents ordered online.
"Everyone's getting phones. Everyone's getting laptops. Everyone's getting computers, hard drives, accessories, you name it," Calero said. "All of them are being ordered online."
That means fewer people are standing in line to send items themselves. Foot traffic in some shipping centers is off by half.
"I'm doing more online and more on the phone too for Christmas," said Jackie Gessell of Harrison.
But plenty of package carriers have been inundated with direct shipping from retailers. In 2013, they are the means through which presents get to their spot under the tree.
"Wal-Mart gifts, Target is coming through here, Macy's is coming through here, Amazon, Kindle Fires – anything you can name is coming through here," said White Plains FedEx ramp agent Jaquetta Mosely.
It seemed like system volume peaked last week, but those packages were still on the way as of Monday. The wave could crest in New York on Wednesday.
Calero said the rush was making him crazy. But not so for the shoppers, who have figured out the way to ease the stress of the season.
"I always used to go out and buy my things, but I don't like to get out -- especially on days like today," said Katherine capote of Washington Heights.
Amazon said as of Tuesday, it will cost more to get packages delivered by Christmas. The U.S. Postal Service said it can guarantee first-class mail for Christmas Day if it is postmarked by Friday.
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