Just an update...been here 3 weeks working at Amazon.com. We are parked in the Elk City State Park just outside Independence Kansas.

Hey Dan,

Looking forward to a brief review of the job.  I saw they are also hiring in Kentucky this winter.

I will write up a small description this weekend. I don't have first hand experience with all the jobs, but I know people who work in different area's and have talked to them about what they are doing so I should be able to give an accurate description.

To answer the question's by Cindy...yes, you will be on your feet all day. You work 10 hours a day with 2 fifteen minute breaks (paid) and one 30 minute lunch break (unpaid). The schedule is 4 days a week, Mon, Tues, Thurs and Friday. As we get closer to the holidays they will offer overtime, you could be working on Wednesday for a 50 hour week. I have heard they also do 11 hour days with shifts starting an hour earlier than normal, for a 55 hour week.

More this weekend...

For Starters

You need to arrive by Friday of the week before your scheduled to start work.  You need to check-in with Express to accomplish paperwork, take the Amazon.com test, take the drug test, and provide any requested documents, i.e.. your high school diploma and passport.  Express will also take your picture for your Amazon.com badge.  On the Saturday before you start Mark from Express will hold a social at the Walter Johnson RV Park in Coffeyville where you will be able to meet the other workampers and you will get your badge.

First Day

Your first day at Amazon, a half day, will be spent receiving briefings and the mandatory safety training.  Security is also explained so you will know how to enter the Amazon building and well as the correct procedures on how to exit the building.  Theft of merchandise is a primary concern for Amazon and they do a good job of discouraging.

Schedule

The work schedule is 10 hour days for 4 days.  We are working the donut shift, so named because our work week has a hole in the middle.  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  To help your body get used to the work they schedule you for 2 weeks working half days, called hardening.  The choice of working half days is up to you, but the option is available if you decide to use it.

Jobs

There are many different jobs available.  The paperwork you fill out for Express asks what shift you prefer, if you prefer to walk or stand stationary, and if you have a problem with heights.  Dayshift is 0630 to 1700.  Nightshift is 1700 to 0330.  During your 10 hour shift you will get 2 paid 15 minute breaks, one before and on after lunch.  The 30 minute lunch break is unpaid.  A typical day for me is I start at 0630 and work until 0915, the first break,  then 0930 to 1200 for 30 minute lunch break.  Afternoon break is from 1430 to 1445.

I do not know all the different jobs available.  The following jobs I know workampers are performing:

•    Receiving unload the inbound trucks, open boxes, scan every item into computer, send items to stow department  (very little walking involved)
•    Stowing as directed by computer scanner, place items in numbered location bins (walking miles per shift)
•    Picking pick items as directed by computer scanner, from numbered bins and send to sortation (walking miles per shift)
•    Sortation Includes crisp plant and shipping.  sort items into customer order, box items,  send to shipping department (moderate walking)

Along with the walking I want to note that there are no chairs in any of the work area's, the only place to sit down is in the break room area's.  There are no sitting down type jobs, so even if you get a job that does not require a lot of walking, you will be on your feet for 10 hours a day.  You need to be able to stand on your feet for 10 hours, and some jobs also require walking many miles per shift.  There is also a lot of bending involved to get items from lower bins or empty chutes.  Amazon limits the amount of weight in your tote to 23 pounds, so no heavy lifting involved for stowing and picking, but I don't know about those boxes coming into receiving.  Safety is a big deal, and they do use the 2-man lift concept, but I suspect some inbound boxes would require you to lift more than 23 pounds.

Overtime

The busy season, the real reason Amazon.com hires workampers, starts sometime around Thanksgiving.  I can only tell you what I have been told since the holiday rush has not started.  At some point overtime (mandatory?) is offered as Amazon tries to process the holiday orders.  The 2 scenarios for overtime I heard about both include working Wednesday your normal off day.  That put's you at 50 hours for the week.  I have also heard they start an hour early every day putting you at 55 hours for the week.  I also heard about people doing a 60 hour week, but I don't know what sort of schedule they worked.  1.5X times pay for overtime hours.

RV Parks

Walter Johnson/River Crest - both owned by the City of Coffeyville.  WJ is 2 utility (W/E) 30 amp, a pump truck comes 2 or 3 times a week to pump your tanks.  RC is FHU with 50 amp service.   River Crest is all dirt/gravel and after rains becomes very muddy.  About 10 minute drive to Amazon.  I do not know the exact number of sites, I would guess WJ is about 100 and RC is about  50.  I was told that last year they also expanded to a section with 20/30 amp pedestals used for the fairground vendors.  No sewer hookups and shared water spigots. 

Heritage RV Park - privately owned in Coffeyville.  Unknown number of sites, I would guess about 20.  Some appeared to be FHU and possibly 50 amp.  Very close to road, and with road construction during the day it would be difficult to sleep.  Travel time to Amazon same as WJ and RC. 

Elk City State Park - about 4 miles west of Independence Kansas.  11 FHU 50 amp sites non-reservable, 83 reservable sites with W/E only (30/50 amp unknown).  All paved roads and sites.  Can handle big rigs.  About a 30 minute drive to Amazon.

Big Chief RV Park - Unknown.  Park is not built.  Very close to Amazon.  There is a new 4 lane road being build just behind this RV park so if/when BC opens expect noise and dirt.

There may be other RV parks within commuting distance.

Express pays all parking costs for your RV including the pump out service.  I don't know if Express is covering the cost of propane.

I know there will be questions as I didn't want to make my post into a book.  Post your questions in this thread and we will do our best to answer.  I saw another dreamer posted that they arrived so we should be able to provide good info for those of you still on your way here.

I also wanted to add that I don't know if each Amazon.com works exactly the same as the one here in Kansas.  Other Amazon.com locations may handle different items, or limited items, so jobs may be different at those locations.  Different agencies handle the hiring of workampers for the locations and hourly pay amounts may be different as well.  And I do not know if all locations pay for your RV parking so be sure to ask.