Indy Dad's 'Side Hustle': Amazon Flex Brings Flexibility At Home

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — An Indianapolis man and the internet's largest retailer are working hard to deliver your prized possessions, so he can spend time at home taking care of his. In a world where ridesharing services, food delivery companies and other on-demand businesses are popping up everywhere, Mike Schaeffer works through Amazon Flex to make sure your packages get to your mailbox or porch as soon as possible.

Thanks to his nearly three years and counting with Amazon Flex, Schaeffer has been able to help his family buy a new home, and take on the role of "stay-at-home" dad because he's able to set his own schedule.

Amazon Flex gives delivery partners like Schaeffer the opportunity to be their own boss as an independent contractor, while delivering Amazon.com, Prime Now, AmazonFresh, or Amazon Restaurant packages, according to Amazon.

In the last three years Schaeffer's wife has been able to excel at her job because he’s been able to hold down the fort and still make money, after spending 16 years as the breadwinner in his family and helping his wife get through school.

Though its wonderful being able to set his own hours and be his own boss, especially on weekends and nights, Schaeffer mentioned how great the flexibility has been when it comes to being with his family, when talking to Patch.

“As someone who had a less than loving childhood, I’ve had an amazing way to redeem my family tree, by using flex as a way to get that," Schaeffer told Patch. “Calling it 'Flex' is exactly right.”

When Schaeffer's wife finished school and started succeeding in her career managing animal hospitals, he said he was happy to step back and let her take the lead. He's able to do so thanks to setting schedule blocks in the Amazon Flex app, available on Android and iOS devices, according to a release.

The couple decided Mike would become a stay at a home dad to their two young children, ages two and six. He's also the father to a 20-year-old.

“Flex allows me to fill in all the blanks as needed,” Schaeffer said, regarding his family's needs and schedules. He said he plans to deliver or Amazon Flex as long as his kids have active lives, as he works a bit during school hours and is finished in time to attend their evening events.

"It changed the way I live my life," Schaeffer said, thanks to a friend who he said told him about Amazon Flex. Schaeffer said he downloaded the Amazon Flex app in the middle of November 2015 and started working towards the end of December of that year. If you have a phone, the app, a vehicle, and you meet the qualifications mentioned below, you too can be a delivery partner for Amazon Flex.

Schaeffer and a company spokesperson answered some questions about Amazon Flex for Patch:

P - What areas do you cover when delivering for Amazon Flex?

S - "There’s a distance of about 25 miles, which is the farthest point to the northeast, almost to Noblesville, and then all the suburbs that are within 15 miles of downtown."

P - Tell us about how much you earn per hour and other payment details:

Schaeffer said payment is based on the number of time blocks you complete, which are two to four hours based on where you are, and not the amount of time it takes to complete a block(s).

According to a release from Amazon, "Delivery partners earn $18 to $25 per hour, which does not include gas or other expenses, that will vary based on the individual’s car and the distance they travel."

P - How many hours or blocks do you work per week? Is there a delivery limit?

S - "Between 15 and 20 hours a week, usually one block a day, most days. On weekends, potentially two blocks. Blocks vary; sometimes they give you big blocks." Schaeffer said you can forfeit any block within a certain time frame before you're due to go out and deliver. "You can’t work more than eight hours, which is the standard amount of time. The average route is usually six to eight stops (deliveries).

"With Prime Now, you get grocery stores goods or Amazon warehouse good s delivered within a two-hour block." Schaeffer told Patch Prime Now is what he does for delivery because it’s a smaller time block dedication.

"Sometimes you get hit with a ton (packages), but no more than a normal-sized car can hold."

"Weather can impact this, but there are people who are very ready to take these blocks if I can't. It never becomes a problem if I can’t because it's a very sought after opportunity."

P - Would you recommend working for or using Amazon Flex?

S - "Anybody that has a vehicle that likes to drive, opportunities to make extra money, be part of an exciting way of doing things. As Amazon Flex grows and gets even stronger, there will be more opportunities and drivers will become a bigger part of this."

P - What's your favorite part of your so-called side hustle?

S - "Every time I get to see someone and hear how much trouble I'm saving them, especially if they have kids. In general, it’s just seeing how people are amazed by the simplicity of this service, and saving them the distress.”

P - Who would be good for this job?

S - “People who like to drive and like mini adventures, as you (may not know) where you're going and how long it’s going to take. People that are flexible, anyone who's somewhat healthy and strong." (Because of delivering/carrying different sized packages).

In a release sent to Patch, the company said eligible participants “must be 21 or older, pass a comprehensive, multi-state criminal background check and motor vehicle records review, have proof of insurance and, if they are using a motor vehicle, a driver’s license.”

According to a release, delivery partners, including Schaeffer, "have access to a variety of publicly available materials they can use to improve their understanding of what is required to deliver with Amazon and exceed customers’ expectations."

P - Safety? Company GPS?

S - Yes, there's GPS. "They always know where you’re going and watch out for us."

The company said on-the-road phone support is available for any questions that arise while performing the job.

P - Have you seen an increase in the public's use of Amazon Flex?

S - “It’s definitely growing and adapting. Whole Foods also uses us, and there are a lot of drivers doing lots of different things. There were six or eight drivers in the area when I first started, now 30 to 40."

“I see all these companies trying to put on-demand delivery service in their companies. Technology is remarkable for the user and the driver."

Schaeffer and other Amazon Flex delivery partners are able to receive tips from participating customers who order from Prime Now and Amazon Restaurants, the company said.

"Participants can also take advantage of Instant Offers, which are pick-up, on-the-spot and on-demand delivery offers that start near the driver’s current location,"the company said in a release.

More information: flex.amazon.com/about; FAQs page

Images of Mike Schaeffer, family credited to Mike Schaeffer; Amazon Flex delivery image credited to Amazon