By Jeffrey Goldberg
Washington Post, September 5, 1988
Just what kind of person would spend his days as a bicycle messenger, inhaling bus exhaust fumes, dodging taxis and dealing with frenetic dispatchers and harried receptionists?
"It's an interesting mix of people," said Scott Foreman, president of R&S Couriers Inc. of Bethesda. "A lot of Bohemian types are doing it, people similiar to the nonstudent types who hang around universities, intelligent people who like the independence."
"A good courier is somebody who is intelligent and who has a healthy respect for fear," said Russ Winter, a veteran courier who now works as sales manager for Quick Messenger Service. "There is a certain macho aspect to it. There is a lot of espirit de corps, with a little of the 'us against them.' But the courier with a chip on his shoulder is an overwrought cliche."
Couriers divide themselves into different groups -- "vets," those who make their living and sometimes support families on the money they earn; economically disadvantaged black teen-agers and adults, who make up as much as half of the city's courier population; and "summer jocks," college students who more experienced couriers believe are in the business mostly just to show off expensive biking clothing.
Women make up 10 percent to 15 percent of Washington's courier population, but one female courier who gave her name as Sandra said that "not many women want to work in these conditions. You've got to be a little bit nuts to want to ride around traffic all day with the pollution and such." Couriers said lousy weather, pollution and fatigue all drive many prospective couriers off the streets.
And many people who start as couriers quickly realize the job is not for them.
"Some of the new guys are nervous, or a little apprehensive," courier Milton Hill said.
"Either they get over it or they quit. You shouldn't do the job if you're going to be scared."
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