how to be a bike messenger
 

I'm looking to be a bike messenger when I get back to Canada.
Looking for suggestions from anyone on the job, what to expect, pay, those sort of things.

I worked as a bike messenger for a few days until an injury forced me out of the job.
First of all, expect to look deadly traffic in the face and laugh. Waiting for the light will cost you valuable seconds which could be the difference between getting your super-rush package to it's destination on time or not.
Wear all the protection you can find, and ride a very light racing bike, but not one that's too expensive, get something cheap enough that you won't mind replacing when you get hit by a car.
You should know every single shortcut and back alley in your city since the roads are never the fastest way to get somewhere.
The place I worked at paid a certain amount per package delivered. I can't remember the exact amount, but I was taking in $35-$40 on my first few days, and the veterans were easily making more.
It's a very very very dangerous, physically demanding job if you intend to do it well. But there were also a few retired guys that I worked with that took their time getting around. They made very little money, but they just wanted a job that would let them move around outside.

Oh yeah, we were considered 'Independant Contractors'. We weren't taxed on our paycheques, so you may have to set aside some of your pay for the government. We could also write off any bike-related expenses as a business expense.

It is a cool lifestyle choice... very laid back, you get plenty of exercise.

I was a courier for a year about 10 years ago...

You get a commision on each package you deliver. The rates are based on distance travelled (Toronto, for example is divided into zones, any delivery in a zone is one price the price goes up the as you go through different zones) and rate of delivery (regular, hot, direct).

I was making about 400 to 500 every two weeks depending on how busy it was and if dispatch was giving me the good deliveries.

One thing to remember is that in winter it gets very treacherous and very cold...

I wouldn't worry about protection other than a helmet and cycling gloves... I would recommend getting a high capacity bag and there are these great belts you can get that have a pouch for your waybills and a holster for your U lock... worth every cent I spent.

I don't have anything to add but I just thought that this was classic...

Watch reruns of the Real World, San Francisco and focus in on Puck very closely. You'll have second thoughts my friend.

Real World? isn't that some mtv program?
Live in China right now, and Canada otherwise, no MTV.
I understand about the possibilites for injuries and such, a bike messager was killed in my city about 5 years ago.

no way , watch 'Quicksilver' , if Kevin Bacon can do it , so can you!