Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > RV LIFE STYLES FORUMS > Workkamping & Volunteering
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-12-2012, 09:34 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Yuma (winter)
Posts: 115
We're part of the "Amazon Army"

We're working for Amazon in Fernley Nevada for the first time as we wanted to recoupe some of our travel costs from summer wanderings. This is how it works. We were recuted in Quartsite at the RV show in Jan '12. We were offered any of the three locactions that do the "Camper Force" deal, Fernley, Coffeville, KS or Cambellsville(sp?), KY. We chose Fernley (Reno), NV so we could visit our daughter in CA at Christmas. We were supposed to start on Oct 7 and work thru Dec 23, but we were called and asked if we could start in late Sept. That was agreeable since I'd never been to the Reno Air Races we got here mid Sept. It's 4-10 schedule, 40 hrs week. Amazon pays an hourly wage of $11.50 hr(in Fernley), and pays for your RV rental space (you pay your own electric) There is overtime available on a volun basis and then mandatory OT during "peak", from black Friday on. They also pay a bonus if you make to the finish line in Dec. You get a 10% discount on product while you're an employee. There are two RV parks in Fernley, one in Sparks, and the fourth I'm not sure, maybe Fallon, but anyway the two Fernley locations are close to Amazon, the others are a commute of about 19 mi +. Now for the work itself. There are several job classifications and both day and night shifts offered. The main four Camperforce work classifications are "Recieving", "Stowing", and "Picking", and "Water Spider", although you do get moved to other jobs depending on Amazon's needs...more on that in a minute. "Recieving" involves standing in one place and lifiting boxes, some bending. "Stowing" involves a lot of swift walking ....approx 6-8 miles of walking per day, bending, pushing carts, some lifting, and kneeling. "Picking" requres A LOT of FAST walking, 10-15 miles a day, lifting, bending, kneeling. "Water Spider" involves A LOT of walking, 10-15 milles+ per day, and some bending. Other jobs that you might get put on as need arises are "Shipping", "Prep" (product preparation) "PIT" (forklift) driving, "ICQA", ( inventory), or up in "CRISPPLANT", (conveyor stuff). I won't lie to you, it's very physical work...not like digging a ditch or doing concrete, but a LOT OF WALKING, lifting, bending, kneeling, and stacking. The first two weeks are brutal getting yourself in shape and using muscles you havn't used in some time, and trying to remember everything they are teaching you. Some folks bail out by then, but if you can hang, it does get easier and though it sometimes is a bit monotenous, it's intersesting. The size, scope, and speed of the operation is mind boggling. It's ALL about the customer getting their product quickly and in good shape. Safety on the floor is a BIGGIE, and security is VERY tight... You cannot take cellphones or anything that Amazon sells onto the factory floor, though these items are allowed in the breakroom. Your production is tracked closely. You get two 15 min breaks and a 30 min lunch. It's hard work and not for everyone, but we like it (now...not at first) and we'll probably come back next year. Oh yeah, drug testing and background info is required also. It's quite the....adventure.
RetiredFPD is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 11-18-2012, 07:47 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 163
We just found out about this and have been reading up on it.......your post is great info. We are seriously thinking about it for, maybe, next year........sounds like if you get in shape with a lot of walking ahead of time it might not be too bad?
__________________
Rick & Marilynn - Warren County Missouri
2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab pulling a 1996 Play-Mor TimberCreek Travel Trailer
Traveling with Hannah the Pug
MoRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2012, 10:30 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Yuma (winter)
Posts: 115
We walk regularly two miles a day, but the first two weeks were still tough. It takes about 10 -15 days to get yourself in shape. If you can make it for two weeks you'll prob last the season. If you have trouble walking or negot stairs, you might want to try to get into "Recieving", as it's mostly standing and lifting. If you want to get into shape, then "Stowing", or "Picking" is what you want, but "Picking" is by far the toughest to do from a walking stand point. I'veldropped one pants size (15 lbs) in 5 weeks "Stowing". Let me know if you want any other info. :>)
RetiredFPD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2012, 05:54 PM   #4
Member
 
rvgreg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 64
Sounds like a great opportunity. Do they expect two people to work in order to get the camping paid? Also are you considered a contract employee and thus have to pay self=employment tax (i.e. employer pays no social security component)? How is the weather in that part of Nevada during this time? I am considering this for next year. Thanks for your insight into becoming an Amazonian.
__________________
Greg & Elizabeth & Strudel, the wonder dog
Barnwell,SC
2006 Georgetown 370TS
rvgreg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.