I've been a bagger for about six months now. I know how to carts and I'd consider myself pretty good (?) - I can push 9-10 large ones at a time with the strap. But honestly, how do you make it less miserable?
The only FEM that I like actually bothers to call us in when we need to trade off. Other FEM's don't give a crap about us and never call us back in, so I usually just come in when I'm tired, which is usually after 20-30 minutes. I wouldn't consider myself super in shape but I've gained arm muscle since I started there.
Also, the climate where I live is very extreme. So far this winter it's gotten down to 10's and 20's with snow and slush - making cart pushing all the more difficult. I started in September, so I haven't experienced the scorching 95 degree weather yet, but I'm dreading it. A couple days ago I did carts in 50 degree weather with short sleeves on and I came in sweating, so I can't imaging what it would be like in the summer. Do you usually bring an extra shirt to change in or just go to the bathroom after and clean up?
I honestly wouldn't mind if I just did a couple rounds of carts now and then, but since I know I'm going to start doing it more with the weather getting nicer, I want to learn to get BETTER and maybe even enjoy it from time to time (it is nice to get a break from bagging once and a while).
So please all you cart pushers out there, tell me how to make this cart strapping task less miserable.
At my store they had us switch off every 15 minutes in the summer during the day.
Didn't have a change of clothes or anything, but I might recommend just going the 8 carts rather than 9-10 if you're having some fatigue, might help a little.
At my store, baggers are scheduled to be out on the lot for a full hour under normal weather conditions. If the weather is extreme, they limit it to 15 minutes at a time in the winter and 30 minutes in the summer. When your time is up, you come in and give the cart strap to the next person on the schedule. If they are in the middle of an order, you simply take over for them. Also, don't try to push so many carts at one time. It's much easier to make two trips of 5 carts each than it is to try to push all 10 at one time.
I agree, I normally wont do more then 8 max at a time on the strap (unless we are really in a large rush mode and weather permitting, but only one or two trips, no more until a while later)
I stay at 7 to 8 as i can strap the first 6 and it give me better control then ten of them as I can lean forward slightly while pushing, or suddenly go rigid if braking, and grab the cart that is strapped and turn or slow the line down.
Sometimes I'll only do 5 in the winter per trip, because snow sucks already to deal with. I am not gonna break my back literally for this place, I will do my best yes, but within my safety limits.
"know before you go"
We are also at my store only scheduled for 15 minutes (sometimes up to 25, but no more) if weather is bad, but we take cover / breaks in the lobby for a minute or two and then go back out.
-- Edited by UC151 on Thursday 11th of February 2016 01:11:55 AM
Push only 5-6 carts at a time why are you breaking your back for minimum wage?
Im a male in my early 20s and I can't push more than 8 carts my back hurts so much If I do 9-10.
Now when I get sent out to do carts I only do 5-6 carts at a time.
If I'm scheduled to work 4-5 hours I do 6 carts. If Im scheduled to work 6+ hours I try to keep it @ 5 that I won't wear out fast.
Its all on you to make it less miserable.
Take care of yourself.
^^This guy gets it. Even if I do 2 more above what he does at times, 6 carts is my safe limit as well. Plus it doesn't mater, only time you start to care is when you get on a managers radar, which can happen (has to me once because I wasn't doing enough at a time during peak, but they haven't cared since.) Just do the job and don't stress, it don't matter if you can do 6 or 60 carts, all that matters is that the job is getting done. Good luck krogrerbaggergirl. Keep us updated, id be interested to hear how it turns out.
-- Edited by UC151 on Thursday 11th of February 2016 01:51:19 AM
-- Edited by UC151 on Thursday 11th of February 2016 07:18:15 PM
Thanks for the tips guys. I know I like to push myself and fill up the lobby as fast as possible, but this upcoming weekend I'll try doing less and see if it helps. Problem is, since I work weekends, I get sent out a lot during peak hours and they pressure us to go as fast as possible.
This, and do protect yourself, watching for cars and whatnot.
"Misery" goes to perception; pushing carts can be about as horrible or wonderful as one wants to make it. On the good side, it's, for example, great exercise--cardio, core, buns, legs, back--exercise we're getting paid for.
This, and do protect yourself, watching for cars and whatnot.
"Misery" goes to perception; pushing carts can be about as horrible or wonderful as one wants to make it. On the good side, it's, for example, great exercise--cardio, core, buns, legs, back--exercise we're getting paid for.
I agree that it helps build strength, plus hauling garbage / recycling loads on a U boat / shopping carts, it helps. I'm also one of the few UC's at my store who will stack pallets in back, as we are allowed to by union contract, and organize em during down time, that builds strength too and keeps me busy if not bagging or carts, aside from doing my normal cleaning rounds / liquor opening if I'm on early shift for mornings Haven't had to do a sweep yet, but I might next time I have a bit of down time.
Petition that kroger gets the motorized cart pushers that walmart gives their lot attendants the luxury of having. I'm not joking, either. Your managers might hate your guts, probably call you lazy, say stop complaining and just do your job, but your fellow pushers will call you their hero and support your cause. Seriously tho, kroger, look at which store has more carts at the front of their store at crunch time. It's not you, and it's obviously because those machines can push more than we humans can. This isn't bi-lo, at least the one in my town, where they can get away with one guy on the lot because their store is always so slow in regard to customer flow. If you want your great people to do better, then give them the equipment necessary, or stop wondering why the carts don't move back to the front as quick as you want them to, even with all courtesy clerks outside.
Petition that kroger gets the motorized cart pushers that walmart gives their lot attendants the luxury of having. I'm not joking, either. Your managers might hate your guts, probably call you lazy, say stop complaining and just do your job, but your fellow pushers will call you their hero and support your cause. Seriously tho, kroger, look at which store has more carts at the front of their store at crunch time. It's not you, and it's obviously because those machines can push more than we humans can. This isn't bi-lo, at least the one in my town, where they can get away with one guy on the lot because their store is always so slow in regard to customer flow. If you want your great people to do better, then give them the equipment necessary, or stop wondering why the carts don't move back to the front as quick as you want them to, even with all courtesy clerks outside.
When I still worked at Fry's we were really close with out store manager. So we asked him "Why can't we have a Cart Donkey" and he told us because the union would throw a fit, claiming that by having Fry's use the cart pusher that courtesy clerk hours would be cut, he also said that you needed to be 18 to use any motorized equipment. I pretty sure it's all bull though, before I left Kroken they sliced Front End and Grocery hours.
I think I read on here last year when I was whining every day about doing carts---and yes, it is a sucky ass "job"--- that there were concerns somewhere that bringing in a motorized cart would end up being disputed by the union or whatever. Something to do with it might take away from...whenever or whomever.
Hell if I know, I just know that on those days when I would have to go on "lot duty" and we had four carts in the main entrance, all of them large compared to small, and I had to bust my ass, my back, my legs, and my arms trying to bring in 13 at a time that would vanish for at LEAST ten when I returned with the next load...
.....yea, the motorized cart would have been nice. And probably more efficient.
Lol. Poor bastard. I'm glad I never had to start as a bagger. Started as a cashier the first time and now a fuel clerk. I don't know how old you are, but see about moving to a different department.
But yeah, I don't think it can ever not suck. You guys really have the worst jobs in the store aside from maybe deli. You do all sorts of extra physical labor with absolute crap for promotions. I honestly think baggers should get like a .20 cent physical labor premium or something. If you worked at Wal-Mart, you'd be making 9-10 dollars an hour lol.
Lol. Poor bastard. I'm glad I never had to start as a bagger. Started as a cashier the first time and now a fuel clerk. I don't know how old you are, but see about moving to a different department.
But yeah, I don't think it can ever not suck. You guys really have the worst jobs in the store aside from maybe deli. You do all sorts of extra physical labor with absolute crap for promotions. I honestly think baggers should get like a .20 cent physical labor premium or something. If you worked at Wal-Mart, you'd be making 9-10 dollars an hour lol.
I will agree with you Anon, at times I get stressed, upset, deflated, and even thinking "why did I sign up for this?" Cleaning up human remains in the bathroom or sales floor (yes I've done it once, hopefully not twice for a while yet), doing carts in frigid temps, sometimes being called out for being a "bad bagger because I didn't mind-read what the customer wanted when I asked them verbally" by the customer themselves and them going "oh I'll do it, just get out of the way", and sometimes dealing with ID10Ts in general, and that's on a horrible day too if our staffing is super low.
While other times my job is enjoyable. I get to interact with customers and other FE / Staff (sometimes me n a few others in FE will poke fun or jokes at each other to keep our moods up during an shift or just because we like to pick on or bicker at each other in a work-friendly manner, We will joke with each other sometimes or start a friendly banter while we are ringing out n bagging an order. Even got a few customers to jump right into the convo and start giving their sides, laughs, an ideas, it makes the time go by quick, and keeps the customer on a happy note as they leave the store. Even when I'm cleaning, it sometimes can be fun "if you throw humor into it" as another staff told me once), doing liquor closing / opening if on early / late shift (UC's / CC's in my store are mainly responsible for open n close of that dept.), a Not much for pay incentive (still new but am not surprised, according to union contract), but I am making decent enough (about 320 / month due to hours) money while I attend college right now. Even when I do liquor scans, I always will sometimes throw some humor in "I'm sure you are fine, but I'm old and everyone looks 12 to me, so can I peek at your ID please so I know my brain isn't playing tricks on me?"
So it is still something, and not always easy, but as long as I can go in with a smile and leave with a feeling of a good deed done, it makes the job bearable for me. :)
-- Edited by UC151 on Tuesday 23rd of February 2016 02:15:10 AM
I've been a bagger for about six months now. I know how to carts and I'd consider myself pretty good (?) - I can push 9-10 large ones at a time with the strap. But honestly, how do you make it less miserable?
I've been a bagger for about six months now. I know how to carts and I'd consider myself pretty good (?) - I can push 9-10 large ones at a time with the strap. But honestly, how do you make it less miserable?
Try singing, "A Spoonful of Sugar".
LOL! Good one. I think EVERY employee should start humming and singing that song.
I have been a bagger for 4 years now at Kroger. Doing carts is kind of hard for me sometimes. Here is how I do carts so it would be less miserable.
I set a timer for 15 mins or 30 mins, and I listen to music to help pass the time. When It is cold outside I stay out there for 15 mins and then I go inside and warm up for a while and then I go back outside for more minutes.
So All you Cart Pushers out there, Try your best and not mess up and take a lot of deep breathes.
-- Edited by Admin on Sunday 29th of January 2023 12:04:44 AM
Company safety limit is I think 6-8. If you injure you're self you're going to be written up. I worked a few locations where they took this rule very seriously.
If you enjoy pokemon go have fun hatching eggs and use the gotcha plus to auto collect for you. That's what I did. I had notification vibrate on to let me know when an egg was hatching and I never over walked one. Make sure you have a spare battery pack with you as the game drains your battery.
