It's extra challenging because the sun goes down earlier and some rural streets don't have lights, so I have to deliver in the complete dark and it's hard to find street names and addresses. Usually, I have to deliver around 200 packages a day, but starting at the beginning of December I'm delivering around 300 a day. One of the biggest changes about working this job during the holiday season is the influx of packages. I'm honestly ready for the holiday season to be over It's really important for me to stay organized when I load the van so I don't create a mess in the truck and waste any time. One thing nobody loves about this job are the overflow packages, which are the bigger ones that fit inside the delivery bags, called totes, or on the shelves of the van. I usually load the packages based on which ones will be delivered last (those go in the back) and which ones will be dropped off first (those go in the front). Each person has their own process for organizing packages inside the van. I usually do a quick stretch to loosen my body and then head to the pickup station to load my van. From there, I'm given my route, the amount of packages I have to deliver, and how many stops I'll make.

I'm handed a bag with a phone (to use the Amazon package-delivery app) and keys for the van that I'm going to drive that day. During each shift, I get a 30-minute lunch break and two 15-minute breaks. My shifts are usually between eight and 10 hours long, and I work four days a week. I was hired on the spot and started the training process a few days later. I sent in a job application and had an interview the very same day. I had no experience being a delivery driver or handling packages, but the job description didn't require any of that - just a driver's license. I'm not an office person - I don't like sitting down all day at a desk - so I wanted a job where I could be on-the-go and active. I'm a surf photographer in San Diego and figured I'd look for more steady work.

In July, I was browsing Indeed and found a job listing for an Amazon-delivery-driver position. The following has been edited for length and clarity. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lucas Graça, a 24-year-old Amazon delivery driver for Amazon DSP SeenADriver in San Diego who's working his first holiday season. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.

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